Abstract:
A lawn game uses a pair of markers toward which each player rolls a disk while standing proximate the other maker and/or tosses rings. Once all disks have been rolled or all of the rings have been tossed, or both, the disk or ring closest to the marker determines which player scores points for that round. Disk scoring is based on the number on the disk facing upwardly or both numbers if the disk remains on its side for each disk within a certain distance from the marker using a multiplier if the disk contacts the marker. Ring scoring is based on the proximity to the approached marker with a ring encircling the top of the marker being the best. A rope is removably attachable to the markers and helps with measurements.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application 13/199,641, filed on Sep. 6, 2011, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/387,995, filed on May 12, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,660, which applications and patent are all incorporated by reference herein in each of their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a game that is played on a lawn or similar surface, which game uses disks that are rolled toward a target as well as rings that are tossed toward the target either in conjunction with the disk rolling or as a separate endeavor. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Spending a warm summer afternoon at the park is one of life&#39;s great treats. Enjoying the warm sun, catching a cool breeze, and tasting some fine food from the picnic basket, are just some of the riches that can be enjoyed. Another fun component of park going relies on physical activity. Whether throwing a ball, flying a kite, or simply walking, many people are desirous of doing something physical while relaxing. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a game that people can play while at a park, the beach, or even in their own yards. Such a game must be relatively simple to set up and play, yet have a degree of challenge to the game, which level of challenge can be varied depending on the players and other factors. Ideally, the components of such a game are relatively simple in design and construction so as to be relatively inexpensive to produce so as to be readily affordable to a large segment of potential consumers of such a game. Such a game must be fairly compact so as to be readily transportable and easily storable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    My lawn game using rolling disks described in my U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,660, issued on Sep. 6, 2011, contains a game that is fun for the whole family as it is relatively easy to play skillfully even by young players and is fairly compact so as to be quite portable so that the game can be brought to the beach or park even if the transport vehicle is stocked with various other paraphernalia needed for a day of fun. I have added a component to the game that adds an extra level of fun and challenge to the players using the game or that can even serve as a separate game to give the users variety. 
         [0008]    The current lawn game using rolling disks and rings of the present invention continues to be a game that can be played at a park, a beach, in the front or back yard of a house or just about anywhere where a relatively flat ground surface can be found. The lawn game using rolling disks and rings continues to be a game or games of skill that require a modest level of physical activity. The components of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings are still relatively simple in design and construction so as to be relatively inexpensive to produce using standard manufacturing techniques. The difficulty of play of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings can be quickly varied depending on the age and skill level of the players, the degree of challenge desired or other factors as decided by the players. The lawn game using rolling disks and rings, when broken down, is still relatively compact in dimension so as to be readily transportable and easily storable. 
         [0009]    The lawn game using rolling disks and rings is comprised of a pair of markers that are each placed on the ground surface in spaced apart relationship to one another. A first series of rollers is provided which rollers are each cylindrical disk members having a first pair of opposing side faces each face with a number thereon and each first disk member also having a first rounded outer edge. A second series of rollers is provided which rollers are each also cylindrical disk members having a second pair of opposing side faces each face with a number thereon and each second disk member also having a second rounded outer edge such that the numbers on the first series of disks are equivalent to the numbers on the second series of disks. Additional series of rollers may be provided for additional players or teams. The first player or first team member stands at one of the markers such that the first player rolls one of the first series of disks, on its outer surface, toward the other marker. The second player or second team member stands at the first marker such that the second player rolls one of the second series of disks toward the other marker. First and second disk rolling continues, either in alternating or sequential fashion, until all the first disks and the second disks have been rolled. Thereafter, the number of points earned by the first player or team and the second player or team (and any additional players or teams if so played) is calculated. The calculation of points by the players or teams is as follows: first, it is determined which player&#39;s or team&#39;s disk is closest to the other marker, with all other players or teams assigned zero points for that round. For the player that has a disk that is closest to marker, it is then determined which of that player&#39;s disks are within a certain distance from the marker. For all of that player&#39;s disks that are within the certain distance, assigning a first number of points equal to the number displayed (upwardly facing number) by each disk that is within the certain distance and that is laying on its side, assigning a second number of points equal to both numbers displayed by each disk that is within the certain distance and that is resting on that disk&#39;s rounded edge, and assigning a third number of points equal to the number displayed by each disk that is laying against the other marker multiplied by a certain multiplier. Thereafter, all of the first number of points, the second number of points, and the third number of points are summed up. Each of the pair of markers is a truncated pyramid member. A rope having a plug on an end thereof is provided such that the plug is removably receivable within an opening on a top of each of the markers wherein the rope is used to determine which disk is closest to the other marker or to determine which disks are within the certain distance. An adjustable slide may be located along a length of the rope. Additionally, a first series of rings and a second series of rings are provided, one for each player or team (additional series being provided if there are more than two teams). The rings can be used independently of or in conjunction with the disks so that each player or team tosses the rings toward the approached to marker and the player or team with the ring that is closest to the approached to marker (a ring that encircles the top of this marker is the closest) is the ring component winner for the round. If only the rings are being used, then the winner scores a number of points for each ring that encircles the marker, a smaller number of points for each ring that contacts the marker, and a still smaller number of points for each ring that is within a certain distance of the marker, the rope being used for measurement if needed. If both disks and rings are being used, then the disk component and the ring component of the game can be separately scored or the closest disk (or ring) to the marker scores all of the points (both disk and ring points), or the rings (or disks) can be used as a bonus round for the winner of the ring (or disk) portion of the round. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the targets and disk components of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a topographical view of game play of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of game play of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the targets and the ring components of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the lawn game using rolling disks and rings of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of a pair of goals or markers  12  that are each truncated pyramids that have relatively flat sides  14  and an opening  16  on the top. A rope  18  having a plug  20  on an end is provided such that the plug  20  is removably receivable within the opening  16  of the markers  12 . At least two series of disks  22  are provided such that each disk has a pair of flat sides  24  that each have a number  26  thereon and a rounded outer edge  28 . Each series of disks  22  is distinguishable from the other series of disks  22  in appropriate fashion such as by having a different color, having different design thereon, etc, although the numbers  26  on each series of disks  22  is identical to all other series of disks  22 . Each disk  22  is made from an appropriate material such as wood, a filled plastic, etc. Although each disk  22  may be made from a hollow plastic, such disks tend to be less effective in higher challenge games as more fully described below. 
         [0016]    In order to play the lawn game using rolling disks and rings  10  of the present invention using just the disks  22  components, the two markers  12  are placed a certain distance L apart from one another, for example 25 feet part. Each player or team is given a set of disks  22  and each player, in turn, begins play at one of the markers  12 . A player rolls a disk  22  on its outer edge  28  in underhand fashion similar to throwing a bowling ball, toward the other marker  12  trying to get the disk  22  as close as possible to the other marker  12 . Each player or team takes turns (or each player or team proceeds sequentially) rolling their respective disks  22  until all disks  22  have been rolled. Once all disks  22  have been rolled, the player or team that has a disk  22  that is closest to the marker  12  is the only player or team that scores points for that round. In order to score points, the disk  22  must land within a certain radius R from the marker  12 , for example the disk  22  must be entirely no farther than 5 feet away from the marker  12 . The rope  18 , which is either the length of the radius R or has an appropriate marking, such as the illustrated adjustable slide  30 , a pen mark, etc., to indicate the length of the radius R, can be pulled to a given disk  22  in order to determine whether or not the disk  22  is within the required radius R. If the disk  22  is within the required radius R and the disk  22  falls flat onto one of its sides  24 , then the player scores a number of points equal to the number  26  that is visible on the upwardly facing side  24  of the disk  22 . If the disk  22  is within the required radius R and the disk  22  remains upright on its outer edge  28 , then the player scores a number of points equal to the sum of numbers  26  on each side  24  of the disk  22 . If the disk  22  is within the required radius R and the disk  22  comes to rest against the marker  12 , then the player scores a number of points equal to the number  26  that is visible on the side  24  of the disk  22  that is not resting against the marker  12 , multiplied by a multiplier, such as multiplied by 2. For the next round, the players now start from the marker  12  to which the players just rolled disks  22  toward and now roll disks  22  toward the other marker  12 . Play continues either for a certain number of rounds or until one player or team reaches a certain point sum, such as  21 . 
         [0017]    If no disks  22  fall within the radius R, then no points are scored for that round. If two disks  22 , each from an opposing player or team are equidistant from the marker  12 , then either no points are awarded for that round, or each player or team is awarded points based on the above scoring formula, or the next closest disk  22  (apart from the two equidistant disks  22 ) is looked to determine which player or team scores points for that round. 
         [0018]    In order to vary the challenge of the game, the distance L between the markers  12  can be varied (bringing the markers  12  closer to one another makes the game easier, while separating the markers  12  further apart makes the game more challenging) or the size of the radius R can be changed (smaller radius R makes it more difficult to score points and thus makes the game more challenging, while making the radius R larger makes scoring points easier and thus the game easier). 
         [0019]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , at least two series of rings  32  are provided, each ring  32  being a flexible member such as the illustrated rope strand  34  with a connector  36  connecting the two ends of the rope strand  34 . The connector  36  can be appropriately adorned so as to distinguish one series of rings  32  from the other series, similar to the fashion used to separate one series of disks  22  from another series of disks  22 . So for example, the connectors  36  can be of different colors in order to distinguish the series of rings  32  or can have a number or design on the connector  36 , etc. Of course the rope strand  34  can be used for distinguishing one series of rings  32  from another series of rings  32 . Additionally, the rings may be a solid ring member of monolithic construction. 
         [0020]    In order to use the rings  32  of the lawn game using rolling disks and rings  10  of the present invention, just the rings  32  can be used with the rings  32  being used in somewhat similar fashion to the use of the disks  22  in that the two markers  12  are placed a certain distance L apart from one another, for example 25 feet part. Each player or team is given a set of rings  32  and each player, in turn, begins play at one of the markers  12 . A player tosses a ring  32  toward the other marker  12  trying to get the ring  32  to encircle the truncated top of other marker  12 . Each player or team takes turns (or each player or team proceeds sequentially) tossing their respective rings  32  until all rings  32  have been tossed. Once all rings  32  have been tossed, the player or team that has a ring  32  encircling the top of the marker  12  is the only player or team that scores points for that round. If no player or team has a ring  32  that encircles the top of the marker  12 , the player or team that has their ring closest to the marker  12  scores points for that round. In order to score points with no ring  32  encircling the top of the marker  12 , the ring  32  must land within a certain radius R from the marker  12 , for example the ring  32  must be entirely no farther than 5 feet away from the marker  12 . The rope  18  can again be pulled to a given ring  32  in order to determine whether or not the ring  32  is within the required radius R. If the ring  32  is within the required radius R, then the player scores a given number of points. If the ring  32  is within the required radius R and the ring  32  comes to rest against the marker  12 , then the player scores a given number of points greater than if the ring  32  is just within the required radius R but not touching the marker  12 . Of course the highest number of points is awarded for a ring  32  that encircles the top of the marker  12 . For the next round, the players now start from the marker  12  to which the players just tossed rings  32  toward and now toss rings  32  toward the other marker  12 . Play continues either for a certain number of rounds or until one player or team reaches a certain point sum, such as  21 . 
         [0021]    If no rings  32  fall within the radius R (which means no rings  32  encircle the top of the marker  12 ), then no points are scored for that round. If two rings  32  each from an opposing player or team, encircle the top of the marker  12  or if no such rings  32  do, but two rings  32  each from an opposing player or team are equidistant from the marker  12 , then either no points are awarded for that round, or each player or team is awarded points based on the above scoring formula, or the next closest ring  32  (apart from the two either encircling or equidistant rings  32 —if one player or team has one ring  32  encircling the top of the marker  12  and the other player team has two rings  32  (or more rings  32  than the first player or team) then the tie breaker goes to the player or team with more rings  32  encircling the top of the marker  12 ) in determining which player or team scores points for that round. 
         [0022]    Additionally, the rings  32  can be used in conjunction with the disks  22  so that each team rolls their respective disks  22  at the marker  12  and tosses their respective rings  32  at the marker. Scoring is as described above. The closeness of either the disks  22  or the rings  32  to the marker  12  as described above can be used to determine all scoring for the round. For example, the player or team with the disk  22  (or ring  32 ) that is closest to the marker  12  scores all of the points for that round or scoring for the round is disk  22  and ring  32  independent so that the player or team with the closest disk  22  to the marker  12  scores all the disk points for the round and the player or team with the closets ring  32  scores all of the ring points for the round. As a further alternative, the disks  22  (or rings  32 ) are played and the player or team that scores the disk (or ring) points for that round, then gets to toss the rings  32  (or roll the disks  22 ) for the round for bonus points. 
         [0023]    In order to vary the challenge of the game using the rings  32 , the distance L between the markers  12  can be varied (bringing the markers  12  closer to one another makes the game easier, while separating the markers  12  further apart makes the game more challenging) or the size of the radius R can be changed (smaller radius R makes it more difficult to score points and thus makes the game more challenging, while making the radius R larger makes scoring points easier and thus the game easier). 
         [0024]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.