Abstract:
A game apparatus of the type where a projectile, such as a disc is hand propelled across an elongated playing surface from a launch area to a target area and a new method of playing such a game. The method of playing including awarding points to a player for each disc that is successfully slid across the playing surface from the launch area to the target area and positions the disc to hang over the edge of the playing surface without falling off the playing surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a game apparatus of the type wherein a slider, such as a disc or puck, is hand propelled to slide along an elongated surface from a launch area to a target area. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Table level games involving the skillful sliding of a slider across a playing surface from a launch zone to a target zone are commonly available in coin operated devices found in amusement places as well as for home use. Table level shuffle board is one of the more popular of this the type of game. These types of games include a myriad of different target designs graphically marked on the playing surface where the purpose of the game is to propel at least one slider from one side of the playing surface (the launch zone) to the opposite side of the playing surface (the target zone) in an attempt to position the slider in a specified area of the target design. Typically, the target design is configured to have areas of varying degrees of difficulty in positioning a slider and usually increasing point values are award for successfully placing a slider in these areas. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a more challenging game apparatus and method of playing the same of the type wherein a slider, such as a disc or puck, is hand propelled to slide over an elongated playing surface from a launch zone to a target zone, and instead of providing a target design on the playing surface for scoring a more challenging scoring method is provided where the slider must be positioned to hang of the edge of the playing surface without falling in order to score a point value. 
         [0006]    In general, in one aspect, a method of playing a disc game on a game apparatus having a horizontal rectangular base about whose periphery are mounted walls which serve to contain the discs on the game apparatus, a smooth and hard playing surface is located above the base and within the rectangular area bounded by the walls, the raised playing surface is spaced from the interior surfaces of the walls to form a gutter zone into which discs may fall, the playing surface is separated into three zones by a pair lines each extending transversely across the playing surface at a spaced distance from each end of the playing surface is provided. The method of play including the steps of:
       (a) providing a plurality of discs adapted to be slid across a playing surface;   (b) individually sliding one disc at a time from a first end of the playing surface towards the opposite second end of the playing surface in an attempt to position each disc at the opposite end so that discs hang over the edge but do not fall off the playing surface;   (c) calculating a first set of points scored for each disc that is positioned to hang off the edge of the playing surface;   (d) individually sliding one disc at a time from the second end of the playing surface towards the first end thereof in an attempt to position each disc at the first end so that the discs hang over the edge but do not all off the playing surface;   (e) calculating a second set of points scored for each disc that is positioned to hang off the edge of the playing surface; and   (f) repeating steps (b)-(e) until one set of points reaches a predetermined point value required to win the game.       
 
         [0013]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
         [0014]    Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0016]    For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a game apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the game apparatus; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a disc extending over the edge of the playing surface and being measured; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of game equipment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4  of the drawings, reference numeral  10  generally designates the disc game apparatus for using in the method of playing a more challenging table game of the type where a slider is hand propelled across an elongated surface from a launch are to a target area. 
         [0023]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the game apparatus  10  includes an assembly  12  that can be supported by legs  14  at the desired height. The assembly  12  includes an elongated rectangular and horizontal base  16 . A plurality of side walls  18 ,  20 ,  22 ,  24  are mounted about the periphery of the base  16  and serve to contain the sliders such as the discs  26  on the assembly  12 . The side walls  18 - 24  include a pair of parallel side walls  18 ,  20  and two end walls  22 ,  24 . 
         [0024]    Raised above the base  16  and within the rectangular area bounded by the side walls  18 - 24  is a smooth and hard playing surface  28 . At each end of the playing surface  28  there are launch/target areas indicated by reference characters  30 ,  30 ′. The playing surface  28  is a rigid non-flexible surface. The playing surface  28  is supported above the base  16  by side walls  32 ,  34  and end walls  36 ,  38 . The playing surface  28  is spaced from the interior surface of walls  18 - 24  to form a “gutter” or “pit”  40  into which the discs  26  can fall. 
         [0025]    Methodology Behind the Game 
         [0026]    The method of playing the game provides a more challenging game play to table games of the type where a slider is hand propelled across a playing surface from a launch area to a target area, and to teach the principals of “Honour”, “Respect”, and “Fairness” to the game players. 
         [0027]    Method of Play 
         [0028]    The object of the game is to score more points than your opponent by launching a plurality of discs  26  one at a time from one side (launch area) of the playing surface  28  to the opposite side (target area) in attempt to position each slider such that it hangs over the edge of the playing surface without falling into the pit  40 . A typical game is played to 5 points. In a more challenging mode of play, a player must have two or more points higher than his or her opponent to win the game. 
         [0029]    To begin the game, each opponent slides a single disc  26  from the same side of the playing surface  28  in an attempt to position the disc as close to the edge of the opposite side of the playing surface without causing the disc to fall off the playing surface. The player who wins this challenge is chosen to begin the game. 
         [0030]    Unlike prior table games of the same or similar type, the players are positioned at opposite ends of the playing surface  28  and alternate in propelling all of the same discs  26 , one at a time, from their respective launch area to their respect target area. For example, in a single round of play one player will propel all the discs  26 , one at a time, from the respective launch area to the respective target area. Then points are awarded for each disc  26  that hangs off the edge of the playing surface but does not fall into the pit  40 . Next, the second player, propels all of the discs  26 , one at a time, from the respective launch area to the respective target area. Then points are awarded for each disc  26  that hangs off the edge of the playing surface but does not fall into the pit  40 . This alternating play continues until one player reaches a total number of points determined to win the game. 
         [0031]    In another aspect, the game may be played until one player reaches a total number of points determined to win the game and is head of the opponent by at least two points. 
         [0032]    In another aspect, the game may be played until one player reaches a total number of points determined to win the game and is head of the opponent by at least two points, thereby causing a situation called “last breath” is entered. In “last breath” the trailing player is allowed a single round of play in attempt to come within one point or to tie the leading player. If the trailing player is successful in this attempt the game will resume normal play. 
         [0033]    In another aspect, the game may be played until one player reaches a total number of points determined to win the game and is head of the opponent by at least two points, thereby causing a situation called “last breath”. The leading player upon scoring the second leading point and causing the “last breath to occur” is forced to end his or her round and hand all of the discs  26  to the trailing opponent. The trailing player is allowed a single round of play in attempt to come within one point or to tie the leading player. If the trailing player is successful in this attempt the game will resume normal play. 
         [0034]    In another aspect, a pair of survival lines  42 ,  44  may extend transversely across the playing surface  28  with one positioned at a spaced distance from each end of the playing surface. In game play, a disc  26  must be propelled or slide past the survival line  42 ,  44  closest to the end from which the discs are being launched to become a “live” disc. In other words, if a disc  26  is not propelled beyond the survival line  42 ,  44  it is deemed to be a “dead” disc and must remain in position on the playing surface  28  for the remainder of the player&#39;s round of shooting. If at anytime a second disc  26  is caused to strike the “dead” disc, the player is penalized by having the particular shooting round end and must hand all of the discs to the opponent. 
         [0035]    In another aspect, all of the discs  26  must remain visible by both players or teams during the entire game play. 
         [0036]    In another aspect, if a player, during his or her round of shooting accidentally knocks a disc  26  into the pit  40 , the disc is considered dead and cannot be played. 
         [0037]    In another aspect, once a disc  26  is propelled by a player, the disc is considered in-play, and if the disc is touched by any player while in play, that player forfeits either current round if the player is the shooter or is forced to skip the next round if the player is not the shooter. 
         [0038]    Scoring is awarded as followed: 
         [0039]    Two points are awarded by sliding a disc  26  so that is hangs over the edge of the playing surface  28  without falling off the playing surface and without contacting another disc. 
         [0040]    One point is awarded by sliding a disc  26  and hitting another disc so it hangs over the edge of the playing surface  28  without falling off. It is possible to propel a disc  26  to hit more than one disc causing each disc that is struck to hang over the edge. A single point is awarded for each disc  26  that hangs off the edge of the playing surface without falling. 
         [0041]    One point is awarded by sliding a disc  26  off the playing surface  28  such that hits any part the assembly  12  and bounces back onto the playing surface and hangs over the edge and does not fall off. 
         [0042]    Three points are awarded by sliding a disc  26  so that it hangs over the corner of the playing surface and without contacting another disc, i.e. a portion of the disc hangs over both the edge and side of the playing surface without falling off. 
         [0043]    With particular reference to  FIG. 3 , in order to determine if points should be awarded for positioning a disc  26  over the edge of the playing surface  28  without falling off, a measurement of the disc position must be made. The measurement is made using a measuring block  46  that includes at least one flat surface  48 . The flat surface  48  is placed flush against the side wall  32 - 38  to which the disc  26  is to be measured such that the flat surface extends above the playing surface  28  at of a height at least equal to the thickness of the disc. The measuring block  46  is then move across the side wall  32 - 38  while maintaining the flat surface  48  flush thereagainst. As the measuring block  46  is moved past the disc  26  and if there is motion in the disc, points are awarded accordingly. 
         [0044]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the game apparatus  10  is provided with a plurality of discs  26  and a measuring block  46 . While any number of discs  26  may be provided, six discs is the preferred number. 
         [0045]    A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.