Tailgate Football Game

Abstract

A tailgate football game includes at least one playing field board, and a plurality of hinges having a first portion attached to the playing field board. A plurality of targets are pivotally attached to the playing field board by connection to a second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges. An optional foam ball is included, and may be football-shaped. Each target of the plurality of targets is configured to pivot from a first position to a second position by movement of the hinge, and points are earned by striking the targets with the foam ball and moving the target from the second position. The first position of the target is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the playing field board, and the second position is substantially parallel to the top surface of the play field board.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to games, and more particularly, to a football game.

Description of the Related Art

American Football remains the most popular sport in the United States, and previous attempts at football games used bean bags tossed into holes on a game board.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a tailgate football game includes at least one playing field board, and a plurality of hinges having a first portion attached to the playing field board. A plurality of targets are pivotally attached to the playing field board by connection to a second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges. At least one ball is optionally provided to strike the targets. Each target of the plurality of targets is configured to pivot from a first position to a second position by movement of the hinge, and points are earned by striking the targets with the foam ball and moving the target from the second position. The first position of the target is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the playing field board, and the second position is substantially parallel to the top surface of the play field board.

In an embodiment, the first position of the target is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the playing field board, and the second position is substantially parallel to the top surface of the play field board; and the is made of foam and is football-shaped.

In an embodiment, the playing field board has a plurality recesses, each one recess is sized to receive a respective target biased in the second position.

In an embodiment, each one of the plurality of targets are set in the first position, and each one of the hinges is configured to pivot upon the football-shaped foam ball striking one target of the plurality of targets.

In an embodiment, the target moves from the first position toward the second position upon the football-shaped foam ball striking the target.

In an embodiment, a plurality of targets are marked with a particular type of offensive action and a point value; and wherein at least one target is a defensive target that if struck by the foam ball from the offense earns a point for a team on defense.

In an embodiment, the at least one of the plurality of targets is marked with a penalty indication.

In an embodiment, a score keeping circuit including a plurality of sensors, each one sensor is respectively arranged to sense a motion of one respective target of the plurality of targets away from the second position.

In an embodiment, each one sensor outputs a signal when the motion of one respective target is sensed.

In an embodiment, a display is attached to the score keeping circuit.

In an embodiment, the score keeping circuit includes a wireless transmitter that communicates via one of WiFi or Bluetooth with a mobile phone having an open application for the tailgate football game.

In an embodiment, the at least one playing field board comprises two playing field boards, with one playing field board for each team.

In an embodiment, the plurality of targets comprises 10 targets.

In an embodiment, a set of instructions specify a game is played between two teams in two halves, with each team switching playing field boards following the first half of the two halves; and wherein 4 consecutive throws of the foam ball comprises a series for each playing, and wherein a non-throwing team is the defense.

In an embodiment, a plurality of targets extending upward on a playing field and points are awarded according to a marking on each target struck by the foam ball.

In an embodiment, at least one of the targets is a defensive target, and points are awarded for an opposing team when the foam ball strikes the defense target.

In an embodiment, a kit for a tailgate football game includes at least one playing field board. A plurality of hinges having a first portion configured to attach to the playing field board. A plurality of targets are included, each target is configured to pivotally attach to the playing field board by connection to a second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges. Each target of the plurality of targets is configured to pivot from a first position to a second position by movement of the hinge.

In an embodiment, a tailgate football game includes at least one playing field board, a plurality of lockable hinges having a first portion attached to the playing field board, and a plurality of targets, each target is attached to the playing field board by connection to a locked second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges. A sensor is attached on or in each one of the plurality of targets, the sensor is configured to sense when a target is struck and output a signal.

In an embodiment, the football game includes a scoreboard display that receives an output from the sensor that a target has been struck by the ball.

In an embodiment, the scoreboard display is a smart device configured with a scorekeeping application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings presented herein show illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all the components or steps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view showing a plurality of targets substantially upright in a first position on the playing field board, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the playing game board consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a respective front view and side view of a pair of playing field boards, one board for each respective player, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the playing game board with sensors, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the playing game board with all of the targets down in a second position, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a playing field board, electronic scoreboard, and smart device used as a scoreboard,, consistent with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well-known features may not have been described so as not to obscure the invention with unnecessary detail regarding known features.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view 100 showing a plurality of targets substantially upright in a first position on the playing field board, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. The playing field 101 has a plurality of targets 105 shown in an upright position. Hinges 110 pivotally attach the targets at a first position. When a target is struck with a ball, for example, a football, the target will pivot downward into a recess and the players receives whatever point or penalty that might be indicated on the target. The targets may be non-uniform in height and width. Hinges 115 are taller than the hinges 105 shown in FIG. 1. The playing field board may include legs 120 to tilt the board in direction to enhance the visibility of the targets to a user. There are also shown optional balls 125, 130, 135, one or more of which may be included with the game. Alternatively, a user can supply their own ball. As shown by balls 125, 130, the balls may be football-shaped. Alternatively, the ball 135 may be a sphere. The ball 125, 130, 135 should have a weight sufficient to knock over a target on impact. The ball may be filled with air, or foam, metal, plastic, etc., virtually any material with a weight that can cause a target to pivot when struck by the ball.

FIG. 2 is a front view 200 of the playing game board consistent with an illustrative embodiment. Each of the plurality of targets has a particular value assigned. The following values are shown in FIG. 2 for illustrative purposes and does not limit the disclosure to the arrangement of the targets as shown.

With continued reference to FIG. 2 the targets include kickoff return 105, field goal 210, fake punt 215, pick 6 (defense) 110, fumble (defense) 225, touchdown 230, two point conversion 115, safety (defense) 240, blocked punt for TD (defense) 245, and extra point 250.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a respective front view 300A and a side view 300B of a pair of playing field boards, one board for each respective player, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. When there are two players, each player will have his/her own playing field board 101. Typically, one player would throw at a time so the other can observe.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view 400 of the playing game board with sensors, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. The playing field board shown in FIG. 4 has a lockable hinge 405, with, for example, an “L-shaped” lock 410, so that the targets remain stationary in an upright position. Each target has a sensor 415 that may be individually powered by a battery (e.g., lithium, alkaline,) and sense when a target is struck. The sensors 415 may be optical, or pressure sensors, vibration sensors, audio sensors, etc. An antenna (see FIG. 6), or an array of antennas may transmit an output signal from the sensor when a target is truck. The target may include an identifier so that a scoreboard (See FIG. 6) or smart device such as a tablet or smartphone will receive the signal and update a display of the scoreboard. The smart device may have an app that is loaded onto the device. The output from the sensors 415 may be transmitted in any of a number of protocols, including but not in any way limited to WiFi, WiBro, WiMAX, 802.11.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view 500 of the playing game board with all of the targets down in a second position, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. Alternatively, the playing field shown in FIG. 5 may be an “in-home” version that can be mounted on a wall. Users would thro a ball at the targets that may include sensors 415 (such as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of a playing field board, electronic scoreboard, and

smart device used as a scoreboard, consistent with an illustrative embodiment. There is shown a playing field board 101, a scoreboard 703 and a smart device 705. An antenna or antenna array 702 is attached in or on each of the playing field board 101, scoreboard 706, or smart device. Typically, if a scoreboard 703 is provided, the smart device 705 would not be used. In other embodiments, where there is no scoreboard, the smart device can keep score. A user would download a scoring app that would receive signals from the playing field board and update the display. During an initial setup mode, the smart device would communicate with the sensors 415 (e.g. by polling) and the sensors 415 would respond.

Rules

An overview of a set of rules for the tailgate football game is presented herein below. It is to be understood that the rules are presented herein for illustrative purposes and the present disclosure is the rules provided herein below.

Objective

The objective of the game is for each team to throw a foam style football at the 10 raised targets on the tailgate football board and accumulate points by hitting the targets. The team with most points at end of the game is the winner.

About the Game

This game is modeled after American football, but different in its own unique way. With this version of football, you throw a foam football at raised targets to accumulate points for your Offense with the Defense trying to stop you.

The game consists of 2 boards having the same 10 flip-up targets with offensive and defensive point values and can be played with 1 or 2 players per team. Both teams can score points regardless of which team is throwing the ball. The game is divided into 2 halves, with the teams switching ends following the first half.

The team throwing the ball is deemed the Offense and 4 consecutive throws constitutes a series for each player, with the non-throwing team being the Defense. If the team throwing the ball (Offense) hits a defensive target, the non-throwing team (Defense) is awarded the point value of that target. In each half each player on each team will have 16 opportunities to score points.

One on One Play

(2 Players) Each half consists of 4 series of 4 consecutive throws, or downs, by each team with players alternating series.

Team Play (4 Players) Each player on each team will have 4 series of 4 consecutive throws, or downs, with teams alternating series between players.

Rules of the Game

Game boards are arranged with 23′-2″ between them. This puts the distance between the 2 farthest targets at approximately 10 yards.

The Offense is the team throwing the ball. The Defense can score if a defensive target is hit by the Offense.

Players' feet must be behind the board when throwing the football at the opposing board.

If a player's feet are not behind the board when the ball is released, the throw is considered an incomplete pass. No points will be awarded if any targets were hit, and the throw will count as one of the player's 4 throws. Reset any targets that were hit during that throw only.

The ball only needs to touch the target, not completely knock it down, to score.

If multiple targets are touched by the same throw, only the first one hit counts.

Any non-scoring targets in the current series are reset prior to the next throw.

If 2 targets appear to be hit at the same time, the target that was hit first is scored.

If it cannot be determined which target was hit first, it is considered an incomplete pass with both targets, and any other targets that were hit after, reset to the up position. The disputed throw will count as an incomplete pass and loss of down for the Offense.

Once a target is hit, it is to remain down or be put in the down position for the remainder of that series until all 4 throws are completed. Then the board is reset for the opponent series.

The ball must hit the target in flight.

If the ball hits the ground first and then a target, it's a dead ball or incomplete pass and counts as one of your 4 throws in that series. See #11.

If a ball hits the board and then hits target, it's a dead ball or incomplete pass and counts as one of your 4 throws in that series. See #11.

The winner is the player/team with the most points at the end of the 2nd half.

In the event of a tie see Tie Breaker rules below.

Tie Breaker Rules

In the event of a tie score at the end of regulation each team will have an equal opportunity to score in overtime unless the Defense scores first.

The winner of a coin toss will choose to throw first or defer to the opposing team.

Each player/team will make a series of 4 throws and continue with an equal number of throws until the score reflects a winner.

The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one’, unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, paragraph (f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for. and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase” step(s) for

Claims

1. A tailgate football game comprising:

at least one playing field board;

a plurality of hinges having a first portion attached to the playing field board;

a plurality of targets, each target is pivotally attached to the playing field board by connection to a second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges; and

wherein each target of the plurality of targets is configured to pivot from a first position to a second position by movement of the hinge.

2. The tailgate football game according to claim 2, further comprising at least one ball;

wherein the first position of the target is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the playing field board, and the second position is substantially parallel to the top surface of the play field board.

3. The tailgate football game according to claim 1, wherein the playing field board has a plurality recesses, each one recess is sized to receive a respective target biased in the second position.

4. The tailgate football game according to claim 2, wherein the at least one ball is comprised of foam and is football-shaped; and

wherein each one of the plurality of targets are set in the first position, and a particular one respective hinge of the hinges is configured to pivot from the first position to the second position upon the football-shaped foam ball striking a particular one target of the plurality of targets.

5. The tailgate football game according to claim 4, wherein the target is configured to pivot from the first position toward the second position upon the football-shaped foam ball striking the target.

6. The tailgate football game according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of targets are marked with a particular type of offensive action and a point value; and

wherein at least one target is a defensive target that if struck by the football-shaped foam ball from the offense earns a point for a team on defense.

7. The tailgate football game according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of targets is marked with a penalty indication.

8. The tailgate football game according to claim 5, further comprising a score keeping circuit including a plurality of sensors, each one sensor is respectively arranged on the playing field board or on at least some of the plurality of the targets and is configured to sense a motion of one respective target of the plurality of targets away from the first position.

9. The tailgate football game according to claim 8, wherein each one sensor outputs a signal when the motion of one respective target is sensed.

10. The tailgate football game according to claim 8, further comprising a display attached to the score keeping circuit.

11. The tailgate football game according to claim 8, wherein the score keeping circuit includes a wireless transmitter that communicates via one of WiFi or Bluetooth with a mobile phone having an open application for the tailgate football game.

12. The tailgate football game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one playing field board comprises two playing field boards, with one playing field board for each team.

13. The tailgate football game according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of targets comprises 10 targets.

14. The tailgate football game according to claim 12, further comprising instructions specifying a game is played between two teams in two halves, with each team switching playing field boards following the first half of the two halves; and wherein 4 consecutive throws of the foam ball comprises a series for each playing, and wherein a non-throwing team is the defense.

15. A kit for a tailgate football game, the kit comprising:

at least one playing field board;

a plurality of hinges having a first portion configured to attach to the playing field board;

a plurality of targets, each target is configured to pivotally attach to the playing field board by connection to a second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges; and

wherein each target of the plurality of targets is configured to pivot from a first position to a second position by movement of the hinge.

16. The kit according to claim 15, further comprising at least one ball configured to strike the targets; and

wherein at least one target of the plurality of targets is marked with a penalty indication.

17. The kit according to claim 16, wherein the at least one ball is comprised of foam and is football-shaped;

wherein at least some of the plurality of targets are marked with a particular type of offensive action and a point value; and

wherein at least one target of a remainder of the plurality of targets is marked with a particular type of defensive action that if struck by the football-shaped foam ball from the offense earns a point for a team on defense.

18. A tailgate football game comprising:

at least one playing field board;

a plurality of lockable hinges having a first portion attached to the playing field board;

a plurality of targets, each target is attached to the playing field board by connection to a locked second position of a respective hinge of the plurality of hinges;

a sensor attached on or in each one of the plurality of targets, the sensor is configured to sense when a target is struck and output a signal.

19. The tailgate football game according to claim 18, further comprising a scoreboard display that receives an output from the sensor that a target has been struck and updates a display based on a value assigned to each particular target.

20. The tailgate football game according to claim 19, wherein the scoreboard display comprises a smart device configured with a scorekeeping application.