Abstract:
A ring tossing game wherein two or more players compete by tossing rings toward a target structure whereby points are accumulated. Each target structure is elongate and has a first upper surface portion upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second upper surface portion defining a plurality of longitudinally aligned ring-receiving bores. A plurality of lightweight rings, sized for mating reception within the ring-receiving bores, is provided for tossing. A point system is disclosed wherein points are awarded to a player upon successfully tossing his or her ring(s) into the target structure bores, and points are deducted when a player exceeds a predetermined score and/or when certain tosses result in point reduction. Scoreboards are provided for all players to facilitate score keeping.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    N/A  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    N/A  
         COPYRIGHT NOTICE  
         [0003]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    The present invention relates to games of skill and strategy, and more particularly to a tossing game and method of play wherein points are accumulated by tossing rings toward one or more target structures.  
           [0006]    2. Description of the Background Art  
           [0007]    Games for recreational entertainment that involve tossing an object toward a target are well known in the art. One of the best known games of this kind is “horseshoes”. Horseshoes is played using real or simulated horseshoes that are tossed at an upstanding stake that is partially driven into the ground. Horseshoes, while popular, suffers from a number of significant disadvantages, including the heaviness of the horseshoes, the need to pound the stakes into the ground that can be a difficult task, and the potential harm present should a tossed horseshoe miss its mark and instead contact a person or fragile article.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, the prior art reveals games that provide alternate solutions to the problems inherent with the game of horseshoes. While a common thread exists among the prior art games, the tossing of one or more rings, instead of heavy horseshoes, toward a target for the purposes of achieving the highest score based upon accuracy of the toss, there still remains a need in the art to provide a ring toss game in which the game may be played indoors or outdoors, on land or water (such as a pool), with apparatus that is easily convertible for either environment of use.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention provides an improved ring tossing game wherein two or more players compete by tossing rings toward a target structure whereby points are accumulated. Each target structure is an elongate structure having a first upper surface portion upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second upper surface portion defining a plurality of longitudinally aligned ring-receiving bores. A plurality of lightweight rings, sized for mating reception within the ring-receiving bores, are provided for tossing. A point system is disclosed wherein points are awarded to a player upon successfully tossing his or her ring(s) into the target structure bores, and points are deducted when a player exceeds a predetermined score and/or when certain tosses result in point reduction. Scoreboards are provided for all players to facilitate score keeping.  
           [0010]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tossing game.  
           [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide and improved ring-tossing game capable of being played on land or on water.  
           [0012]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of play and scoring for a ring tossing game.  
           [0013]    Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of a preferred embodiment target structure according to the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a top rear perspective view thereof;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 3 and 4 are bottom perspective view thereof;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a composite exploded top perspective view showing a target structure and rings;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a composite exploded bottom perspective view thereof with a portion of the rings depicted in exploded view;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is an alternate view thereof depicting all of the rings in exploded view;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 depicts a front top perspective view of an alternate embodiment target structure according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 depicts a rear top perspective view thereof;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view thereof;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a top exploded perspective view thereof;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 depicts a top perspective view of another alternate embodiment target structure;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 depicts a bottom perspective view thereof;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 14 and 15 depict a top perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment target structure;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 illustrates a pair of target structures and score boards positioned for play;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 17 and 18 are detailed views of a ring used in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 depicts a first scoreboard and scoreboard base according to the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 depicts and exploded view thereof;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 21 depicts a second scoreboard according to the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 22 is a partial detailed view thereof; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 23 and 24 depict a base for the scoreboards.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    The present invention provides an improved ring tossing game wherein two or more players compete by tossing rings toward target structures, each of which defines a plurality of ring receiving bores. In addition to game playing apparatus, methods of play, strategy, and scoring are disclosed.  
         [0035]    1. Game Apparatus  
         [0036]    FIGS.  1 - 7  depict a preferred embodiment of target structures, generally referenced as  10 , in accordance with the present invention. Target structures  10  are preferably elongate structures having a top surface including a first portion  12  upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second portion  14  defining a plurality of vertically oriented and longitudinally aligned ring receiving bores  16 A,  16 B and  16 C. There are preferably three (3) ring receiving bores longitudinally spaced and aligned on portion  14  of target structure  10 . The top surface of target structure  10 , and particularly first portion  12  thereof is preferably textured and/or includes a covering (such as indoor/outdoor carpet) to provide traction and insure adequate footing. Target structures  10  may be fabricated from thermoformed plastic, injection molded plastic, blow molded plastic, extruded plastic, wood, fiberglass, fiber or wood composites, or any other suitable material. The embodiment depicted in FIGS.  1 - 7  is a blow-molded embodiment that is preferably watertight and defines a substantially hollow interior. Target structure  10  further includes a water inlet and removable cap, generally referenced as  18 , to permit the introduction of water into target structure  10  for weighing the structure down for use on land. Conversely, when the hollow interior is not filled, target structure  10  is buoyant such that it will float on the surface of a body of water, such as a pool or pond, for water play. Cap  18  may be connected to the water inlet via threaded connection, snap connection, or any other suitable fastening means.  
         [0037]    FIGS.  8 - 11  depict an alternate embodiment target structure, referenced as  30 . Target structure  30  is preferably an elongate structure having a top surface including a first portion  32  upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second portion  34  defining a plurality of vertically oriented and longitudinally aligned ring receiving bores  36 . There are preferably three (3) ring receiving bores  36  longitudinally spaced and aligned on the top portion  34  of target structure  30 . Target structure  30  may further define a slotted recess  38  for receiving rings for temporary storage before, during, or after play as best depicted in FIG. 8. The top surface of target structure  30 , and particularly first portion  32  thereof is preferably textured and/or includes a covering (such as indoor/outdoor carpet) to provide traction and insure adequate footing. Target structures  30  may be fabricated from thermoformed plastic, injection molded plastic, blow molded plastic, extruded plastic, wood, fiberglass, fiber or wood composites, or any other suitable material.  
         [0038]    FIGS.  12 - 13  and  14 - 15  depict further alternate embodiments for the target structures. More particularly, FIGS.  12 - 13  depict an alternate embodiment target structure, referenced as  40 . Target structure  40  is preferably an elongate structure having a top surface including a first portion  42  upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second portion  44  defining a plurality of vertically oriented and longitudinally aligned ring receiving bores  46 . There are preferably three (3) ring receiving bores  46  longitudinally spaced and aligned on the top portion  44  of target structure  40 . Target structure  40  may further define a slotted recess  48  for receiving rings for temporary storage before, during, or after play. The top surface of target structure  40 , and particularly first portion  42  thereof is preferably textured and/or includes a covering (such as indoor/outdoor carpet) to provide traction and insure adequate footing. Target structures  40  may be fabricated from thermoformed plastic, injection molded plastic, blow molded plastic, extruded plastic, wood, fiberglass, fiber or wood composites, or any other suitable material.  
         [0039]    FIGS.  14 - 15  depict yet another alternate embodiment target structure, referenced as  50 . Target structure  50  is preferably an elongate structure having a top surface including a first portion  52  upon which a player may stand while tossing rings toward an opposing structure, and a second portion  54  defining a plurality of vertically oriented and longitudinally aligned ring receiving bores  56 . There are preferably three (3) ring-receiving bores  56  longitudinally spaced and aligned on the top portion  54  of target structure  50 . Target structure  50  may further define a circular recess  58  for receiving rings for temporary storage before, during, or after play. The top surface of target structure  50 , and particularly first portion  52  thereof is preferably textured and/or includes a covering (such as indoor/outdoor carpet) to provide traction and insure adequate footing. Target structures  50  may be fabricated from thermoformed plastic, injection molded plastic, blow molded plastic, extruded plastic, wood, fiberglass, fiber or wood composites, or any other suitable material.  
         [0040]    In a preferred embodiment, each target structure is approximately four (4) feet in length, one (1) foot wide, and two (2) inches in height. Each ring-receiving bore is approximately five inches (5″) in diameter, spaced six inches (6″) apart and four inches (4″) from the front of the target structure. While the dimensions disclosed are preferable variations thereto are considered within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 16 and 17 depict a ring, typical of the rings used in the tossing game of the present invention. More particularly, six rings, referenced as  20 , are provided as tossing objects for use with the game. Each ring is approximately four inches (4″) in diameter, which size allows the ring to be concentrically received within one of the five inch (5″) diameter ring-receiving bores  16  of target structure  10  in the event of a successful toss thereof during play. In a preferred, two-player embodiment, first and second color-coded sets or rings are provided (e.g. 3 red and 3 white rings). Each ring  20  may be fabricated from plastic, wood, metal, rubber, fiberglass and/or composite, or any other suitable material. The rings are preferably relatively lightweight for ease of handling and tossing.  
         [0042]    FIGS.  18 - 23  depict a scoreboard assembly, generally referenced as  60  for use with the present invention. The scoreboard assembly includes scoreboard  62  and base  64  for each player (e.g. red, white, etc.). In a preferred embodiment, scoreboard  62  comprises an elongate member having a top portion  66  having indicia thereon to facilitate score keeping, and a bottom portion  68  terminating in a pointed end for supporting scoreboard  62 . Top portion  66  preferably includes a plurality of apertures, preferably 26, and corresponding numerical indicia to enable scoring up to a maximum of 26 points. A peg (not shown) may be removable inserted in one of said apertures to indicate the present score. Scoreboard  62  by me inserted into base  64  in a vertically upright configuration. Alternatively, scoreboard  62  may be inserted into the ground like a stake without use of base  64 . As depicted in FIGS. 19, 22, and  23 , base  64  includes a slotted aperture  65  for receiving the end portion of scoreboard bottom portion  68  therein when base  64  is used to support scoreboard  62  in a vertical configuration. Base  64  may also be buoyant and have properly positioned ballast such that the scoreboard assembly may float in a body of water in situations wherein the game is played in an aquatic environment.  
         [0043]    2. Method of Play  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 24 illustrates the relative positions of the various apparatus configured for play. A pair of target structures, referenced as  10 A and  10 B respectively, is positioned in opposing spaced relation. In a preferred embodiment, the target structures are spaced approximately ten feet (10′). While standing on the first portion  12  of target structure  10 A, a first player tosses three (3) rings at opposing target structure  10 B, each time attempting to toss the ring into one of the ring-receiving bores. After the first player has tossed all three rings, it is the second player&#39;s turn to toss his/her three rings. The object is to be the first to reach a predetermined point total, which point total is twenty-six (26) points in the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 24.  
         [0045]    Points are awarded for rings that come to rest within one of the ring-receiving bores in a concentric nested position as depicted in FIG. 3. No points are awarded unless the ring is axially aligned within a ring-receiving target structure bore. Longer successful tosses are worth more than shorter tosses. For example, with reference to FIG. 24, each ring received within the bore nearest the player (i.e. ring-receiving bore  16 A) is worth 1-point, each ring received within middle bore  16 B is worth 3-points, and each ring received within the farthest bore  16 C is worth 5-points. Each player has a scoreboard for use in keeping track of his or her individual score. Points obtained by the first player may be cancelled if the second player successfully covers the first player&#39;s ring. At the conclusion of each round points are totaled and the player with the highest point total has the first turn in the next round.  
         [0046]    In a preferred embodiment and exact score (e.g. 26 points) is required to win. The first player to obtain 26 points, without going over, at the conclusion of a round wins. If, in a round, a player obtains a number of points that brings that player&#39;s score over 26 points, then that player scores no points for that round. Accordingly, players are constantly required to utilize strategy regarding the number of points to shoot for (i.e. 1, 3, or 5) for any given toss, and skill to hit the proper target. Furthermore, since points may be cancelled the second player may prevent the first player from winning by canceling the first player&#39;s final round points (i.e. points obtained by the first player to reach 26) with a covering throw.  
         [0047]    The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.