Abstract:
A goal crossbar and playing field derived from product packaging for use in playing “paper football” and similar games. The goal crossbar may be suspended between two drink containers forming a stand alone “H” style goal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/520,218 titled “GOAL POST SYSTEM AND METHOD” filed Nov. 14, 2003, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to sports game pieces, and more particularly, to toy goals, game balls and playing fields derived from product packaging.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0003]     People often simulate sporting events or other activities with game boards or fabricated props to replicate the activity or the components and equipment used with the activity. The replication of a football game, for example, may include a green board with painted lines to simulate the yardage markers and plastic “H” or “Y” shaped configurations to simulate the goalposts. The game may include a vibration device to move numerous plastic player pieces along the field. Game board type replicas of sporting events typically include numerous pieces and a relatively large game board. As such, consumers often have difficulty transporting the game and often loose critical pieces of the game.  
         [0004]     As an alternative to formal board games, many consumers enjoy paper football games because the pieces and the playing field may be easily constructed or established from existing household materials. As such, instead of packing and transporting an existing game box, the game can simply be re-created at a new location. People have simulated the game of football by using a variety of objects including, for example, a condiment packet (e.g., a packet of sugar), a book of matches, or most notably, an ordinary sheet of paper folded into a triangular, planar shape and commonly referred to as a paper football. Any flat surface, usually a tabletop or a desktop, is suitable for a playing field. Improvised games and game pieces, however, lack many of the realistic features of preprinted or commercially available games and game pieces.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, various paper football playing rules have been adopted over the years. Generally, however, there are two players positioned at opposing ends of the playing surface, each defending an edge or goal line. Usually the winner of a coin toss kicks off, requiring that he/she use thumb and forefinger to “thump” the football from his/her goal line in a manner such that the football rotates, slides and comes to rest on the playing surface. Once the football is put into play, players take turns attempting to score a goal. A touchdown is typically scored when a “thump” results in the football breaking the plane of the opposing player&#39;s goal line without leaving the playing surface. Field goals and extra points are attempted by positioning the football upright, usually on one edge, in such a way that it may be propelled by the “thump”. Traditionally, this game has required two players, one to act as the goal posts and the other to propel the ball. A successful attempt results in the football soaring over the crossbar and through goal posts simulated by the opposing player&#39;s hands. An unsuccessful attempt often results in one or both players searching on the floor for the stray game piece.  
         [0006]     Paper football enthusiasts are continually searching for more realistic, unique and creative devices and methods for improving upon the pre-existing paper football game field and goal posts. As such, a need exists for an improved goal post and playing field for use with a paper football or other games.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides major improvements with respect to paper football and similar games, particularly with respect to simulated goals and playing fields. The playing field, goal components and ball game pieces may be derived individually or in combination from various product packaging. For example, a football may be formed using a prepared sheet removed from packaging material to be folded into the desired triangular shape. The sheet may include a region that is printed and embossed to simulate the bumpy texture inherent of cowhide or pigskin football leather, football laces, and one or more team logos. Die cuts at the ends of fold lines facilitate easier folding of thicker sheets.  
         [0008]     A goal may include a crossbar having openings at each end such that each opening may receive or rest on a beverage bottle to thereby form a stand alone football goal post. The goal crossbar may be comprised of cardboard, plastic or other suitable material.  
         [0009]     A playing field and/or goal may similarly be integrated into or be separable from such packaging. For example, a drink pack carton may have a top and side surface pair hinged to recline flat with the bottom of the carton yielding a flat playing terrain with a partially enclosed end zone. This partial enclosure helps to catch stray shots and minimize searching for stray game pieces. Additionally, related event aspects or components such as goals, scoreboards, players, or stadium seating may also “pop-up” from or be printed on the interior of the remaining side walls. Goal components and game balls may be conveniently separable or arrangeable to form functional components for use with the playing field. For example, a hockey, soccer, or football goal or basketball hoop may hinge up or away from the backwall or floor of the partial enclosure to catch paper balls or pucks during play. Alternatively, goals may be removable from a side wall and attachable by means of tabs inserted through slits in the back wall or end zone. The football, goal, playing field or other components of the game may also include a sound generator to simulate event related sounds (e.g., football fans cheering, players hitting each other, referee whistles, fight songs, commercials, etc). Similarly, game components may include a light generator, such as for example an LED (light emitting diode) or LCD (liquid crystal display) score board.  
         [0010]     Product packaging such as drink pack cartons may include printed regions comprising game pieces simulating playing fields and sporting event components. A simulated playing field may be constructed from existing packaging or beverage holders such as, for example, a cardboard six-pack carton. While the outside surface of the carton is typically printed with advertisements and trademarks related to the beverage, the bottom or inside surface of the carton may be printed with a playing field. The printing may be on the interior, exterior, or on a combination of both surfaces. Playing fields may be arranged from one, two, or more cartons. For example, a single carton may include only a half court or half field, requiring combined product purchases to complete a game set. The game pieces may be configured to be removable from the bulk packaging material by perforation, scoring, cutout lines, etc. Preprinted game balls, playing fields and goals provide significant improvements, both in performance and realism of the simulated game pieces. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the Figures, and:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top planar view of an exemplary goal cross-bar in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top views of additional exemplary goal cross-bar collars that conform to a bottle neck in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary goal cross-bar in use in accordance with the present invention, showing stiffening webs folded downward 90 degrees.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an exemplary goal cross-bar in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary goal in use with a bottle in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary playing field derived from packaging in accordance with the present invention, including a punch out goal section and paper football.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another exemplary playing field.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another exemplary playing field including removable game pieces.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet another exemplary playing field including a hinged punch-out goal backstop.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary planar view of packaging showing the playing field, goal crossbar and game ball in use.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary planar view of two drink cartons, each having half of a playing field printed thereon, arranged together to form a complete playing field.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a top view of an exemplary sound chip. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     The goal post includes any device which may simulate a goal post. In one embodiment, the goal post may include a crossbar having openings or pockets at each end such that each opening or pocket may be placed over the top of a beverage bottle (or any other device or product) to thereby form a full “H” type football goal post. The crossbar may also include openings along the perimeter of each end, forming collars to receive or rest upon the neck of a bottle.  
         [0025]     In an exemplary embodiment, and with respect to  FIG. 1 , crossbar  2  may be outlined for separation from packaging  4  by perforations, scoring, cutout lines  6  or the like. Crossbar  2  includes first and second ends  8  and further includes openings  10 . The openings may be pre-cut, perforated, scored or the like to allow the consumer to remove a center piece to form openings  10 . Openings  10  may include extending tabs or internal slits  12  which help form a more secure fit around the bottle neck and allow the openings  10  to conform to various size bottle necks. While the invention may be described in association with bottles or beverages, the invention contemplates any product which may include its product packaging (e.g., ketchup containers, detergent containers, etc). Crossbar  2  may include stiffening webs  14  and scoring, perforations or markings  16  along the length of the crossbar to indicate a suggested folding line to fold stiffening webs  14  down below the remaining top surface  5 , thereby providing more rigidity to crossbar  2 . The top surface  5  of crossbar  2  may be a flat surface, but in other embodiments, this surface may be configured to form a pitched, arched or cylindrical or other surface. Crossbar  2  may be about 0.125 inches thick and about six inches long (from the center of each opening  10 ). Crossbar  2  may be comprised of cardboard, plastic, wood, metal or any other suitable material.  
         [0026]     Another embodiment is shown with reference to  FIG. 2 , wherein ends  8  of crossbar  2  include openings  10  forming collars  16  configured to receive bottle necks. Openings  10  and/or collars  16  may be configured in any shape or thickness.  
         [0027]     An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 4 , wherein crossbar  2  includes stiffening webs  14  and single opening  10  having slits  12 . This embodiment may readily be fitted with goal post verticals to form the traditional “Y” shaped goal post. The crossbar may include a single opening  10  or pocket in the center to accommodate a bottle.  
         [0028]     A similar configuration may be used to form other sports or event components. For example, with reference to  FIG. 5 , basketball hoop  15  may be formed by placing crossbar  2  vertically and bending one of openings  10  inward and another enlarged opening  10  outward, such that one opening  10  is placed over the container forming base  13  and the other opening  10  serves as a hoop for a basketball game. Alternatively, crossbar  2  may include a net, bucket or other container type device.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , packaging carton  20  includes sidewalls  22  and back wall  24  forming partially enclosed end zone  26 . Carton front wall  28  reclines to form extended playing field  30 . The carton top may optionally recline with front wall  28  to form a larger extended playing field  30 . Goal  32  is removable or foldable from back wall  24  to receive propelled game piece balls  34 . Goal  32  may be integral with back wall  24  or may be separable from one of side walls  22  and attachable to back wall  24 . Any of the components or portions of the containers, packaging or products may be movable or detachable.  
         [0030]     A simulated playing field may be constructed from any existing packaging or combination of packagings such as, for example, a beverage packaging, or more specifically, a cardboard six-pack carton. While the outside surface of packaging is typically printed with advertisements and trademarks related to the beverage, the bottom or inside surfaces of the holder may be printed with a playing field. In an alternative embodiment, the holder may include printing on the inside, outside, alternating sides for certain portions or both sides. The playing field may include, for example, company trademarks, logos, slogans, etc. and any other related event scene or sports component image. The packaging may include any portion of a playing field, a certain type of playing field, a playing field of a certain team and/or the like, such that consumers have an incentive to purchase additional product in the packaging to obtain a full field or a collection of different playing fields.  
         [0031]     The football or other components of the game may also include a sound generator to simulate event related sounds (e.g., football fans cheering, players hitting each other, referee whistles, fight songs, commercials, etc.), an example of which is set forth in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0032]     Exemplary embodiments of playing fields are now described with reference to  FIGS. 6-9 . Drink carton  20  includes sidewalls  22 , back wall  24 , and front wall  28 . Front wall  28 , and optionally carton top  32  recline flat with the carton bottom, forming at least a portion of simulated playing field  30 . Sides  22  and  24  partially enclose the end zone  26  of playing field  30 . With particular reference to  FIG. 6 , at least one side wall  22  includes removable game pieces such as game ball  34  in the form of a paper football. A foldable or removable section in back wall  24  forms goal opening  36  through which paper football  34  may be propelled. With particular reference to  FIG. 7 , at least one side wall  22  includes removable game pieces such as game ball  34  and hoop  38 . Hoop  38  may be attached, for example with complimentary slots and tabs, to a backboard printed on back wall  24 . With particular reference to  FIG. 8 , at least one side wall  22  includes removable game pieces such as hockey stick  40  and goal  42 . Goal  42  may include attachment tabs for insertion into slits in end zone  26 . With particular reference to  FIG. 9 , at least one side wall  22  includes removable game pieces such as game ball  34 . A foldable or removable section in back wall  24  forms goal opening  36  through which game ball  34  may be propelled. Alternatively, goal opening  36  may have a foldable backstop arranged from continuous back wall  24  and carton floor punch-out sections.  
         [0033]     An exemplary embodiment is shown in use with reference to  FIG. 10 , wherein carton  20  is arranged to form partially enclosed end zone  26 , with sidewalls  22  having removable game pieces such as game ball  34  and goal crossbar  2  being removed and configured for play with playing field  30 . An embodiment of a completed playing field is described with reference to  FIG. 11 , wherein two packaging cartons  4 , each having half of playing field  30  printed thereon, are arranged together to form a complete playing field  30 . Each field has removable goal crossbars  2  for use in conjunction with bottles to form stand alone goal posts.  
         [0034]     Any portion of the goal crossbar, any related playing field or related components to the system may include a sound making chip or any other sound generator to simulate event related sounds. The sounds may be activated at certain predetermined time intervals, random time intervals, during certain events (e.g., touchdowns, kickoffs, etc), upon manual activation, in response to voice commands or utterances, or upon the player hitting the football or chip with the player&#39;s finger or other device for kicking the football piece. The sounds from the chip may include, for example, football fans cheering, players hitting each other, referee whistles, fight songs, commercials, statistics or any other desired sound or communication. The chip may include pre-existing sounds or voices (e.g., national anthem, voices of favorite players or announcers of favorite teams) or be configured to allow the players to program custom sounds or voices. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the exemplary sound chip may include a PCB, buzzer and melody chip and may be powered by a battery or any other suitable power source (e.g., solar, etc). Game components may similarly include a light generator, such as, for example, an LED or LCD score board.  
         [0035]     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. No element described herein is required for the practice of the invention unless expressly described as “essential” or “critical.”