BEAN BAG TOSS GAME APPARATUS

A bean bag toss game apparatus includes a plurality of bean bags and a frame. The frame has a first leg and an opposing second leg forming an A-shape. The apparatus also includes a playing surface mounted within the frame and the playing surface has a base and an apex, where a width of the playing surface narrows from the base to the apex. The apparatus includes a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and are configured for a bean bag to rest thereon. The plurality of ledges are spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface. In addition, the apparatus includes an open compartment positioned between a top of the frame and the apex of the playing surface, the open compartment configured to receive bean bags tossed therein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of outdoor games, and, more particularly, to a bean bag toss game apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Cornhole is a bean bag toss game that uses an inclined platform having a single hole. Players take turns in tossing bean bags to the platform. The object of the game is to try and toss the bean bag through the hole or at least land the bean bag on the platform itself. Players earn points for each bean bag that goes through the hole or lands on the platform. The platforms are generally rectangular and the far end of the platform is elevated to create an incline along the platform surface.

While cornhole platforms have been around for many years there is a need for a bean bag toss game apparatus that is for players of all skill levels and also can be played in low light conditions.

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game that is fun to play for players of all ages and skill levels. This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a bean bag toss game apparatus. The bean bag toss game apparatus includes a plurality of bean bags, and a frame. The frame has a first leg and an opposing second leg forming an A-shape. The apparatus also includes a playing surface mounted within the frame and the playing surface has a base and an apex, where a width of the playing surface narrows from the base to the apex. In addition, the apparatus includes a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and configured for a bean bag to rest thereon. The plurality of ledges are spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment is positioned between a top of the frame and the apex of the playing surface. The open compartment is configured to receive bean bags tossed therein.

The apparatus may also include a rear support secured to a rear of the frame, where the rear support is extendable out from the frame to support the frame in an upright position. A controller may be coupled to a plurality of lights configured to light up selected portions of the playing surface. In addition, the apparatus may include a bean bag detector configured to activate selected lights of the plurality of lights when a bean bag is detected on the playing surface.

A plurality of stakes may also be removably secured to the first and opposing second legs that are configured to hold the frame securely to a ground surface. A visual indicator may be located between each of the plurality of ledges, where a respective visual indicator indicates a value for a bean bag being tossed on a respective ledge.

The apparatus may also include a power source coupled to the controller and a plurality of lights, and a speaker configured to emit a sound when a bean bag is tossed on a respective ledge. Each bean bag may include a bag light coupled to a power source where the bag light is configured to illuminate a respective bean bag. The plurality of bean bags may each include a pocket that is configured to secure the bag light and the power source therein.

In another particular aspect, a method of playing a bean bag toss game is disclosed. The method includes providing a frame, a playing surface mounted within the frame, a plurality of ledges spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment positioned between at a top of the playing surface. The method also includes providing a plurality of bean bags. In addition, the method includes tossing each bean bag of the plurality of bean bags on to the playing surface, and adding a respective value for each bean bag that lands on a respective ledge to calculate a ledge score. In addition, the method includes adding a high value for each bean bag that lands in the open compartment to the ledge score to calculate a total score.

The method may also include activating lights in the plurality of bean bags and activating lights to illuminate the playing surface so that the bean bag toss game can be played in low light conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1-2, a bean bag toss game apparatus of the present invention is shown and generally designated100. The bean bag toss game apparatus100includes a plurality of bean bags130, and a frame102. The frame102has a first leg112aand an opposing second leg112bforming an A-shape. The apparatus100also includes a playing surface120mounted within the frame102. The playing surface120has a base113and an apex115, where a width of the playing surface120narrows from the base113to the apex115.

In addition, the apparatus100includes a plurality of ledges104,106,108spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface120. The ledges104,106,108are configured for a bean bag130to rest thereon. The plurality of ledges104,106,108are spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface120, and an open compartment110is positioned between a top of the frame102and the apex115of the playing surface120. The open compartment110is configured to receive bean bags130tossed therein. The open compartment110may have a number that is visible to the player and correlates to a number of points a player earns if successfully tossing a bean bag130therein.

The apparatus may also include a rear support118secured to a rear of the frame102as shown inFIGS.3-5. The rear support118is extendable out from the frame102to support the frame in an upright position as shown inFIGS.4and5. As those of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, the apparatus100may be comprised of plastic, wood, or any other suitable material.

Referring now toFIG.6, the apparatus may include integrated circuit (C) with controller132that is coupled to a plurality of lights160configured to light up selected portions of the playing surface120. The lights160may be secured to the rear of the playing surface120and can be used to light up the visual indicators128a, b, c(e.g. numbers) when a bean bag130lands on a respective ledge104,106,108or lands in the open compartment110.

In addition, the apparatus100may include a bean bag detector162configured to activate selected lights of the plurality of lights160when a bean bag130is detected on the playing surface120. The apparatus100also includes an internal power source136such as a battery, and a speaker138.

A plurality of stakes114may also be removably secured to the first and opposing second legs112a,bthat are configured to hold the frame102securely to a ground surface such as a grassy lawn so it does not move or slide during game playing. A visual indicator128a,b,cmay be located between each of the plurality of ledges104,106,108, where a respective visual indicator indicates a value for a bean bag130being tossed on a respective ledge.

The apparatus100may also include a power source136coupled to the controller132and the plurality of lights160, and the speaker138that is configured to emit a sound when a bean bag130is tossed on a respective ledge104,106,108.

Referring now toFIG.7, each bean bag130may include a bag light150coupled to a power source152such as a battery, where the bag light150is configured to illuminate a respective bean bag130. The plurality of bean bags130may each include a pocket154that is configured to secure the bag light150and the power source therein152using a closure mechanism156. The closure mechanism156may be hook and loop, a snap, or button for example that allows for the power source to be replaced as needed.

FIG.8is a front view of the apparatus100with a bean bag130resting on ledge106. The apparatus100being used in low light conditions is shown inFIG.9, where the lights160are illuminating the playing surface and the visual indicators128a,b,c.

Referring now toFIG.9, the lights160may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or strips of LEDS that are secured along the ledges104,106,108and that are configured to illuminate at night for visibility, then blink on and off a few times when a bean bag130is successfully tossed into the open compartment110, for example.

In another particular aspect, a method of playing a bean bag toss game is disclosed. The method includes providing a frame102, a playing surface120mounted within the frame, a plurality of ledges104,106,108spanning laterally across the width of the playing surface and being spaced apart from one another vertically on the playing surface, and an open compartment110positioned between at a top of the playing surface. The method also includes providing a plurality of bean bags130. In addition, the method includes tossing a bean bag130of the plurality of bean bags on to the playing surface120, and adding a respective value for each bean bag130that lands on a respective ledge104,106,108to calculate a ledge score. In addition, the method includes adding a high value for each bean bag130that lands in the open compartment110to the ledge score to calculate a total score.

The method may also include activating lights150in the plurality of bean bags130and activating lights160to illuminate the playing surface120so that the bean bag toss game can be played in low light conditions.