Magnetic toss game

A magnetic toss game with a three-dimensional target capable of generating a magnetic field, a support mechanism having two ends, the first end operably coupled to the three-dimensional target, and a three-dimensional backdrop having at least one side surface and a bottom surface, the three-dimensional backdrop spaced apart from the three-dimensional target and operably coupled to the support mechanism, wherein the three-dimensional backdrop envelops the three-dimensional target on at least two sides, including the bottom side.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to games. More particularly, the present invention relates to a magnetic toss game, in which at least one metalized or ferromagnetic piece, such as a bottle cap, is thrown from a predetermined distance at a target with a magnetic field with the goal of adhering to the metalized or ferromagnetic piece to the target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eye hand coordination is a skill that is useful in a myriad of human occupations and pastimes. The tossing of darts or game pieces towards a target surface or object, such as a flat surface, a wall or a vertical post may help develop eye-hand coordination as well as provide entertainment value. Some examples of such games include darts, washers, and bean-bag toss.

Given the dangers involved in throwing sharpened objects, such as a dart, safety restrictions may limit the demographic appeal of some games to individuals with good dexterity, as well as limit the environment in which the game can be safely played. Accordingly, oftentimes youth and those with physical limitations, such as elderly or handicapped players are excluded from the game. Safety concerns are magnified when alcohol is available to the players or spectators. For these and other considerations, a number of games have been developed which involve magnetically charged game pieces that adhere against a surface that is magnetically attractive to the game pieces.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,605, entitled “Magnetic Toss Game” discloses a toss game where the planer target surface simulates known sports goals and magnetized playing pieces simulate known paraphernalia, such as balls, pucks, golf balls, footballs, basketballs, and soccer balls. In use, a user throws the playing pieces at a target in an attempt to adhere magnetized playing pieces to a generally planer target surface. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0001879, entitled “Method and System of Magnetic Toss Gaming” discloses a similar two-dimensional magnetically attractive planar target surface in which a substantively flat magnetically charged disc are tossed.

Although the above-mentioned inventions overcome the limitations of games involving the throwing of sharpened objects, they are limited in that the target is two-dimensional or planar, instead of three-dimensional or shaped. If a target could be three-dimensional or shaped it could offer an increased challenge to players of the game, as with a three-dimensional or shaped target, certain regions of the target board could be harder to adhere to a magnetized game piece than others. Similarly, with a target of only two-dimensions, subtleties of the playing piece landing orientation are not part of the game. Lack of a three-dimensional target also limits the game from being played from a variety of angles.

The above-mentioned inventions are also limited in that the playing pieces are magnetized. Requiring the playing pieces to be magnetized adds to the overall cost of the game, as well as reducing the interchangeability of the playing pieces. For example, if the relatively small playing pieces are lost, the game could be rendered unusable if a playing piece of similar weight, size and magnetic force is not located.

The above-mentioned inventions also lack a means of catching the playing pieces if they fail to adhere to the target. Because of this noted absence, if a user throws a playing piece at the target and it misses or bounces off the target, the user will be forced to keep track of where the playing piece landed for later retrieval. Because the playing pieces can be relatively small in size, there is an increased chance that the pieces can be lost without a means of catching the pieces.

Accordingly, there is a need for a game that has a three-dimensional target, which does not require throwing sharpened or magnetized playing pieces, and has a means to catch playing pieces that are thrown, but fail to adhere to the target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides embodiments of a magnetic toss game, in which at least one metalized or ferromagnetic piece, such as a bottle cap, is thrown from a predetermined distance at a three-dimensional or shaped target having a magnetic field with the goal of adhering the metalized or ferromagnetic piece to the target. The present invention provides embodiments of a magnetic toss game, which includes a three-dimensional backdrop capable of catching the thrown metalized or ferromagnetic piece if it should fail to adhere to the three-dimensional or shaped target.

The embodiments of the magnetic toss game include a three-dimensional target, and may include a support mechanism and/or a three-dimensional backdrop. The three-dimensional target is capable of generating a magnetic field. The magnetic field of the target possesses unique features to promote game playability. These features include sufficient field strength not only at the surface of the target but also, the radiated magnetic field around the target possesses enough strength to actively attract the thrown object while the projectile is in flight. This invention also balances the magnetic field strength so it is not too strong. In cases where the magnetic field strength is too strong, the playing piece tends to land with its broadest side against the magnet thereby limiting variation of playing piece orientation against the target. Higher scoring may be assigned to more unlikely landing orientations so variations in the landing orientation is desirable for game play.

In addition, to balance the magnetic field strength between strong enough at a distance to attract the playing piece, but not too strong to limit landing orientations, the magnetic field generally has varying strength and polarity in different regions of the target, thereby making regions of the target either easier or harder to successfully land a playing piece. In this case, successfully landing the playing piece in regions of weaker magnetic field strength may result in a higher score for the play. Covering the magnetic target with a sheath or covering with impact properties tailored specifically for game playability may further enhance the game challenge. This elastic damping coefficient of the covering may be adjusted to deaden the impact of the playing piece against the attracting magnet and thereby enhance the adherence of the playing piece to the target or, the covering may elastically repel the playing piece on impact. Different regions of the target may have covering materials with varying properties to either deaden the impact or elastically repel the playing piece.

One example of this is to increase the damping coefficient of the covering where the magnetic field strength is weak thereby improving the chance of the playing piece adhering to the target and reducing the damping coefficient where the field strength is relatively high thereby increasing the likelihood that the playing piece is elastically repelled from the target. Such modifications would tend to make the likelihood of a playing piece successfully adhering to the target more uniform across the surface of the target even though the magnetic field strength varies. The reverse may also be implemented to favor or make certain regions of the target more challenging to land. In addition to the function of the covering during normal game play, the covering has a dual function to protect the generally brittle magnet from impact. Of course, a covering may be applied to the playing pieces instead or in addition to the covering on the target with tailored elastic properties to similarly affect adhesion and enhance game playability.

The support mechanism, when used, has two ends. The first end of the support mechanism is operably coupled to the three-dimensional target, and the second end of the support mechanism includes an attachment mechanism capable of selective coupling the support mechanism to a fixed reference point. The three-dimensional backdrop, when used, has at least one side surface and generally a bottom surface which can be an extension of the side surface. The three-dimensional backdrop, when used, is spaced apart from the three-dimensional target and may be operably coupled to the support mechanism. The three-dimensional backdrop may be shaped such that it envelops the three-dimensional target on at least two sides, including the bottom side. The three dimensional back drop may be shaped such that it encompasses only one side and makes use of another feature available in the immediate environment such as a table top, the mounting stand, an adjacent wall, sports jersey, floor surface or a combination of items. The three-dimensional backdrop can be shaped or printed in a manner to promote a particular theme or to advertise products or services. The three-dimensional backdrop, preferably includes a bottom portion forming a tray, the tray designed for the collection and receipt of tossed playing pieces that miss the target. The backdrop and tray can be easily folded for transport and used to encompass the target, playing pieces, and support stand, wherein the backdrop forms and enclosure for the transport of the game. The at least one metalized or ferromagnetic playing piece can also be shaped or printed in a manner to promote a particular theme or to advertise products or services.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, magnetic toss game10according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted. The magnetic toss game10includes a three-dimensional target100, a support mechanism200, a three-dimensional backdrop300, and a metalized or ferromagnetic playing piece400. The three-dimensional target100is capable of generating a magnetic field and may include designated and segregated scoring regions.

Referring toFIG. 2A-2H, the three-dimensional target100can be cylindrical in shape (FIG. 2A) or additional magnetic elements can be added to form additional shapes to increase the difficultly or alter the game play. These three-dimensional target100shapes can include, but not be limited to, triangles (FIG. 2B,FIG. 2F), circles (FIG. 2G) or concentric circles (FIG. 2C), crosses (FIG. 2D,FIG. 2H), square (FIG. 2E). In another embodiment, the target can be comprised of a plurality of smaller targets, for example the target could be a pyramid of balls. In another embodiment, the target can be moveable or flexible, for example the target could be as series of rigid segments in the shape of a snake with joints between rigid segments to facilitate movement. In another embodiment, the target can be shaped like a physical representation of well-known objects such as a sports ball (FIG. 13A-B), model airplane, automobile, etc.

Referring toFIGS. 3-7, three-dimensional target100is capable of generating a magnetic field110. In some embodiments, the target100can be constructed of one or more permanent magnets101. Magnets101can be positioned so that opposite ends are together (North-South “N-S”) (seeFIG. 5A-B), or the magnets101can be positioned so that like ends are together (N-N) (seeFIG. 6A-B). Metalized or ferromagnetic spacers102(as depicted inFIG. 4A) can be used to increase the size, or modify the shape of the target100to minimize the need for large or numerous magnets or electrical elements. Metalized or ferromagnetic spacers102can also be used to create a variety of magnetic field configurations. In one configuration a thin inner magnet101placed in a vertical direction can be surrounded by magnetically permeable poles (FIG. 6C) or the magnets101can be discs placed in a horizontal direction with soft iron poles (FIG. 6D). Additionally, booster magnets113may be added to configurations to allow for special scoring zones or a boost to magnetic strength. An external covering, sheath or shield103on the target100can alter the magnetic field110of the target100such that it modifies the magnetic field110spatial distribution to interrupt or concentrate the magnetic field110in particular regions.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the target100utilizes a thin permanent magnet101, of the rare earth type, adjacent to the magnetically permeable spacer102of ANSI 1008 steel. Accordingly, the magnet101and spacer102are in a stacked configuration to create a larger magnetic body from a minimal of permanent magnet materials101. Accordingly, the magnet101and spacer102can be solid or have apertures to reduce material and weight.

The covering or shield103can be colored, optically reflective, have different degrees of permeability, offer cushioning or have an elasticity, and can have other lighted (LED light) features such to be coded to resist/repel and/or attract a certain color. In one embodiment, the target100may have LED lights within the target and the LED lights may be directly visible by the player and/or the light may be conducted to specific regions of the target via light pipe within the target100. LED lights may be lit continuously or may operate selectively to add interest, signal information to a player or distract the player. In one embodiment, a series of permanent magnets101shaped like rings or washers can be spaced apart by metalized or ferromagnetic spacers102and held together by a single nut and bolt or, the series of magnets and spacers can have a solid core with the whole assembly being held together by adhesive between the individual segments or, the external covering103.

Referring now specifically toFIGS. 4A-4B, in one embodiment, the magnetic field110of the target100can be manipulated such that it will freely attract external ferromagnetic playing pieces400when the target100is switched in the “ON” position. Alternatively, the target100will not readily attract ferromagnetic playing pieces400when switched to the “OFF” position. This is accomplished by mechanically reorienting permanent magnets101with respect to a series of ferromagnetically permeable spacers131and ferromagnteically resistive spacers130.

Referring now toFIGS. 7A-7D, the target100can be constructed of one or more electrical elements capable of producing a magnetic field110when energized. In this embodiment, a soft iron core111is wrapped with a plurality of turns of electrically conducting wire112such that a magnetic field is established through, and directed by, the iron core111when electricity flows through the coil of wire112. The core111may have laminations when energized by alternating current electricity or may have either laminations or solid when the coil of wire112is energized by direct current. A plurality of coils may be stacked, end-to-end to achieve an active magnetic surface across the entire surface of the target100.

In another embodiment, the magnetic field110of the target100can be established electrically by powering an electric coil of wire112wrapped around a ferromagnetic core111. Additionally, this feature can be used to cause the magnetic field110to change in orientation or intensify during the game play without being outwardly obvious to the players. In any case, the feature may be used to allow playing only within a specified window of time. The timing aspect is important so that each game set may be metered and playing time is not monopolized by a single player or team. Additionally, a monetary or other value can be assigned to the pre-established play time.

In one embodiment, the three-dimensional target100can be shaped or printed in a manner to promote a particular theme such as a sports theme or to advertise products or services. In another embodiment, one or more obstacles401can surround target100for the purpose of changing the magnetic field8and/or altering the three dimensional surface of target2(seeFIG. 8).

Asymmetry of the target100and regions which are more or less available to receive a playing piece400to finally adhere may result in increased game challenge and excitement. This feature coupled with the asymmetry of the playing pieces can affect the landing orientations to the target when the playing piece is attracted to the target and can additionally enhance the game challenge. In all embodiments, the target may be printed with advertising or other features as desired by the sponsor or players of the game.

Referring toFIGS. 9-12, support mechanism200has two ends201and202. In one embodiment, the first end201of the support mechanism200is operably coupled to the three-dimensional target100and the second end202is affixed to a hanging device203, wherein the support mechanism200and target100can be suspended from a fixed object such as a door, ledge, shelf, or other similar structure. The hanging device203can include one or more hooks, eye screws, removable adhesive holders, suction cup devices, tripods, or clamps.

In another embodiment, the magnetic toss game100sits upright relative to a fixed reference point, for example being positioned on top of a table (seeFIG. 11,FIG. 12). Accordingly, the target100is placed upon a vertical rod204received within a base205, wherein the target100is a freestanding object for which game players will toss the game pieces400at the target100.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIG. 10andFIG. 11B, the target100is affixed to the support200with the target100partially surrounded by the backdrop300. In this configuration, the support200includes apertures to receive a pin240on an end of the vertical rod204with the pin240received in a clasp320located on a rear of the backdrop300and wherein, the support200is sandwiched between the clasp320and the pin240on the vertical rod204. According to this embodiment, the vertical rod204is preferably an adjustable tripod.

As is shown inFIG. 12, the magnetic toss game10of the present invention can be configured for play on a table surface. Accordingly, a mat may be placed on the surface and the target100positioned on the rod204supported by the base205in a vertical position. Players would take turns tossing the playing piece400at the target100. According to this configuration for game play, the playing piece400may be flipped at the target100utilizing a flipping device403, wherein a user will place the playing piece onto the flipping device403and strike the flipping device403to propel the playing piece400towards the target100.

In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes a lazy Susan so that the magnetic toss game can be turned to face different directions. The lazy Susan can be motorized. In yet another embodiment, the magnetic toss game is attached to a vertical fixed reference point, for example being clamped to a vertical pole. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the target itself is used as its own support and the target may be placed on a table, shelf or the floor. In another embodiment, the target has features that make it possible to physically attach to a supporting member such as an eyelet, hook or other feature designed to secure the target to a reference point. In another embodiment, the target may be magnetically affixed to a point of reference such a ferromagnetic plate on the wall, or, an automobile body panel.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 11B, the backdrop300has at least one side surface and a bottom surface302. The backdrop300is typically spaced apart from the three-dimensional target100. In one embodiment, at its closest point, the three-dimensional backdrop300is typically spaced from between one inch to one foot from the three-dimensional target100. The three-dimensional backdrop300may be operably coupled to the support mechanism200. The three-dimensional backdrop300can be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be printed or constructed in a variety of materials to promote a particular theme or advertise products or services, as well as other marketing opportunities. The backdrop300is generally intended to capture and consolidate tossed pieces400that did not adhere to the target100.

The bottom surface302of the three-dimensional backdrop300, preferably includes a flexible rib301. The flexible rib301configured of a rigid and flexible material adhered to the backdrop300to form a tray. The tray designed for the collection and receipt of tossed playing pieces400that miss the target100. The backdrop300and tray can be easily folded for transport and used to encompass the target100, playing pieces400, and support stand200, wherein the backdrop300forms an enclosure for the transport of the game10. A secondary feature to the backdrop300is to create an optical illusion to obscure the target100and/or used to project part of the game10. For example, the three-dimensional backdrop can resemble a beer can or bottle, football, baseball bat, or basketball. As another example the backdrop300could be made to resemble a baseball field, soccer field, racetrack, baseball bat, basketball, store logo, college/NFL/NHL/NBA licensing agreements, or a band logo. In one embodiment, a projector projects a moving image on the backdrop300. In another embodiment, the backdrop300contains lightable elements such as LEDs to decorate the backdrop or enhance the general theme of the particular installation. In the case of LED lighting, the LED lights may be sequenced to obscure the playing environment field of view, indicate a response from a particular play such as a cheer response when a playing piece is landed, represent game features such as a goal post or goal line or facilitate an advertisement.

Various parts of the magnetic toss game10, including the target100and backdrop300can be lighted. The lights can have different colored shapes and/or magnetic intensity that can affect scoring of the game. For example, different colored lights can be used to indicate time and where the players need to toss a playing piece400for maximum point value. Lights can be on or off for different durations of time to affect the scoring of the game. Lighted feature affects the cadence/speed of the game with different colored lights.

Various parts of the magnetic toss game10, including the target100, can include one or more devices for creating sound associated with the game. For example, in one embodiment, the target100can respond to impact of playing pieces400landing on the target100with different audible indications to cheer, boo, and/or provide feedback to the players. In another embodiment, the target100can count playing pieces400by detecting a sound on impact, by measuring a weight increase, by detecting an object passing a light curtain around the target either individually or in a combined manner. In another embodiment, scoring of the playing pieces400can have an optical recognition program for playing pieces that are successfully attracted to the target. In yet another embodiment, the playing pieces400can have a RFID chip associated with the playing piece400such that a receiver in the target100can detect the presence of the playing piece400near the target100. In this case, the game can also distinguish the player or team that landed the piece400. Playing pieces400that localize to the target100can have their orientation determined as well as time being counted as another scoring factor. In another embodiment, users can record own sounds for playback during the use.

The magnetic toss game10can include least one metalized or ferromagnetic piece400. In one embodiment, the metalized or ferromagnetic piece400can be a bottle cap. In another embodiment, the metalized or ferromagnetic piece400can be a disk shaped token. In another embodiment, the metalized or ferromagnetic piece400can be in a shape other than a disk, such as a triangle, square, trapezoid, oval, semi-spherical, elliptical, trapezoid and three dimensional embodiments of geometric shapes. Playing pieces400can also be constructed by assembling several elemental shapes to form a final playing piece. Asymmetry of the playing piece400can affect the aerodynamic aspects of the playing piece as it tossed. Asymmetry of the playing pieces400can affect the landing orientations to the target100as the playing piece is attracted to the target100. In one embodiment, the token400is magnetized. Token400can be colored or numbered for teams or individual play. Token400can be printed with advertising to promote a particular product or service.

When the magnetic toss game10is in use, the bottom of the three-dimensional target100is generally positioned from 4-6 feet off the ground. The backdrop300of the target is generally positioned behind the target with respect to the player. Individuals playing the magnetic toss game10can generally stand seven feet from the target when throwing their playing pieces.