Abstract:
The apparatus has a target which consists of two or more cylinders which rest on a support. The object of the game is to strike the cylinders with the flying disc from a distance so that they fall off the support. The cylinders are of unequal length such that striking the shorter disc by the flying disc when it is thrown a given distance requires greater skill than striking the longer cylinder when the disc is thrown the same distance. The support may be inflatable so that the game can be played in water.

Description:
This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) on U.S. Provisional Application No(s). 60/628,531 filed on Nov. 18, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to apparatus for recreation and amusement, and particularly for apparatus for playing a throwing game. 
   Many types of games are known which are based on throwing a projectile at a target. Horseshoes and darts are well known examples of different apparatus that have been used for playing such throwing games. Many such games are primarily suited for playing in a particular environment, whether it be indoors, outdoors, on land or in the water. For example, the game of horseshoes is not well suited for indoor play as the throwing of horseshoes indoors is likely to lead to significant damage. Horseshoes is also not well suited for play in a swimming pool or lake. Not only would it be difficult for swimmers to throw horseshoes, it would be impractical to establish a stake to use as a target, whether fully submerged or extending above the surface of the water. 
   Moreover, notwithstanding that there are a number of known games which are based on throwing a projectile at a target, many individuals wish to try new games that present different challenges and require somewhat different skills. 
   It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for playing a throwing game. It is also a particular objective of the present invention to provide apparatus for playing a throwing game which is adapted for different versions for play and different types of environments. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for playing a flying disc throwing game. The game includes at least one target, and at least one support upon which the cylindrical target can rest. Preferably the target is cylindrical and the support has a planar surface that is larger than the diameter of the cylinder and includes means for upholding the support with the planar surface oriented generally horizontally. 
   The target may be either solid or hollow. Its height and diameter are proportioned such that, in the case of a cylindrical target, it may rest in a meta-stable state on the planar surface, and such that it may be readily knocked down when it is hit by the flying disc that is thrown at it, but resists being knocked down accidentally due to ambient wind, ground vibration, and so forth. Due to its cylindrical shape, the target is susceptible to essentially the same knock down force from any direction. Thus, the target need not be carefully oriented when being placed, and players can arrange themselves in any direction without significant advantage. 
   The target may be made from a suitable material such as wood or plastic. Preferably, the target is cut from rigid plastic tubing but where buoyancy is desirable, the target may be moulded of solid closed cell foam. 
   In one version, the support includes an elongate member that is adapted to be inserted into a suitable ground site so as to hold the support securely with the planar surface generally horizontal. Preferably the member is sharpened at its free end and includes a plurality of connectable segments. Most preferably, the member is removably fixable to the support and is generally orthogonal to the planar surface. 
   According to an alternate version, the support includes a base, and bearing means interconnecting the base and the planar surface in spaced, parallel relationship. Preferably, the base and bearing means are generally pyramidal. In one embodiment, the base and bearing means comprise rigid members. In an alternate embodiment, the base and bearing means are inflatable. Preferably, such embodiment of the invention further comprises an angular wall extending up from the planar surface defining a recess adapted to receive the cylindrical target. Advantageously, the apparatus includes three cylindrical targets having the same diameter but different lengths. More advantageously, the apparatus includes at least two supports and at least two sets of three cylindrical targets. Most advantageously, the apparatus also includes at least one flying disc. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for playing a flying disc throwing game according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  is an elevation of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for playing a flying disc throwing game according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for playing a flying disc throwing game according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3A  is an enlarged perspective view of the receptacle and cylinder illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the drawings, the game apparatus is denoted generally by reference number  10 . In referring to the various figures, like numerals are used for like parts. 
   Turning first to  FIG. 1 , the game apparatus  10  includes a target consisting of three objects in the form of cylinders  11 ,  12 , and  13 . Each of the cylinders has an outside diameter of approximately 2 inches, with an inside diameter of approximately 1¾ inches, with a wall thickness of approximately ⅛ inches. The cylinders can be made of any suitable material, but are preferably made of plastic. 
   The largest cylinder  11  has a height of approximately 4 inches. The intermediate cylinder  12  has a height of approximately 3 inches and the smallest cylinder has a height of approximately 2 inches. 
   A support  14  includes a base in the form of a plate  15 , approximately 5 inches in diameter, defining a planar surface  16 . A leg or rod  17 , approximately 18 inches in length, extends outwardly from plate  15  opposite the planar surface  16 . The rod is sharpened at its free end  18 . Preferably, the rod comprises segments that can be connected together by means of a friction fit or threaded cup links. The rod  17  may also be removably fixable to the plate  16  by means of a friction fit or threaded cup link. 
   In use, the rod  17  is assembled and affixed to the plate  15  and the support  14  is inserted into a suitable ground site such as a playground or open field, the rod  17  being pointed at its free end  18  to facilitate insertion into the ground. The support  14  is thereby held in the ground and is oriented such that the planar surface  16  is generally horizontal. 
   Before play begins, the largest cylinder  11  is placed on the planar surface  16 . One or more players then throw a saucer shaped flying disc at the cylinder from a suitable distance in an attempt to knock it down. If the attempt is unsuccessful, another attempt is made. This is repeated until the attempt is successful. 
   Once cylinder  11  has been knocked down, it is replaced with intermediate cylinder  12 . When that has been successfully knocked down, it is replaced with the smallest cylinder  13 . Because each of the cylinders  11 ,  12 ,  13  is of a different height, successfully throwing the flying disc to knock each down requires greater skill and accuracy in each successive stage of the game. 
   Turning to  FIG. 2 , an alternate embodiment is illustrated. In this version of the game, the cylindrical targets  11 ,  12 ,  13  are the same as in the first embodiments. However, support  24  consists of a generally frusto-tetrahedral structure having a triangular lower wall  25  and an upstanding framework  26 . The framework extends to a truncated apex defining a planar surface  28 . The lower wall  25  is adapted to be positioned and rest upon the ground or some other generally horizontal surface and defines a plane that is generally parallel to the planar surface  28 . 
   In use, the support  24  is placed in a suitable position, whether outdoors or indoors, with the lower wall resting on the ground, or a floor or other suitable generally horizontal surface. The game to be played with this embodiment of the invention is otherwise similar to that described above. 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , this embodiment of the game apparatus again includes three cylinders  11   a ,  12   a , and  13   a  which are similar to the cylinders  11 ,  12 ,  13  of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  2 , except that the length of each is extended approximately ¾ of an inch, as will be explained in greater detail below. 
   The support  34  includes a lower ring  35 , a receptacle  36 , and legs  37 , all of which are inflatable. An air valve  38  is included to allow air to be introduced or exhausted from the support The lower ring  35 , receptacle  36  and legs  37  are in liquid-flow communication with each other such that when air under pressure is introduced into the support, each of the lower ring  35 , receptacle  36 , and legs  37  is thereby inflated. 
   The lower ring  35  has an overall diameter of approximately 16 inches and is approximately 2 inches in diameter. Each of the legs  37  is approximately 1½ inches in diameter. The receptacle  36  has an outer diameter of approximately 3½ inches and a height of approximately 3 inches. The overall height of the support  34  is approximately 15½ inches. 
   Support  34  is intended to be used in an aquatic environment, such as a swimming pool or lake. When the support is inflated, its buoyancy causes it to float, with the lower ring  35  resting on the surface of the water, and the legs  37  and receptacle  36  extending above the surface. Preferably, the lower ring  35  also includes a central membrane  39  extending across it to seal the inner portion of the ring and thereby aid in flotation. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 3A , receptacle  36  includes a cylindrical recess  30  generally concentric to the receptacle  36 . The recess has a diameter of approximately 2¾ inches and a depth of approximately ¾ inches. The cylinders  11   a ,  12   a ,  13   a  can each be seated within the recess  30 . The inner wall which defines the recess provide a backing to prevent the cylinders from falling over too easily due to the movement of the support  34  on the surface of the water. 
   The game to be played with this embodiment of the invention is otherwise similar to that of the embodiments described above with the advantage that it may be played by individuals either positioned on land adjacent to water, or in the water. 
   The present invention thus provides a novel apparatus for playing a throwing game, particularly a flying disc throwing game. The game of the present invention moreover has embodiments that are suitable for playing in different environments, including indoors, outdoors, and in the water. 
   It will of course be appreciated that many additional variations are possible within the broad scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention upon which the description is based may be utilized in other embodiments that carry out the purposes and fulfill the objects of the present invention. The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative while the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.