Abstract:
The present invention discloses a bowling/pitching game that can be played virtually anywhere a substantially flat surface can be found and is enjoyable for adults as well as children. The playing field includes a distance marker and a scoring goal comprised of an outer scoring area and an inner scoring area. The goal also includes a game pole called the OOnagi™ pole and an object ball called an OOnagi™ ball, which sits on top of the OOnagi™ pole. While standing at the distance marker, the players pitch or bowl their balls called chuckers at the scoring goal. Scores are calculated according to the placement of the chuckers and OOnagi™ ball in the scoring goal.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 121 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/820,617 for “Ball Pitching Game and Method,” filed Apr. 8, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference. application Ser. No. 10/820,617 claims priority and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. provisional patent application 60/488,157 for “Oonagi,” filed Jul. 18, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to lawn games and other games playable on a variety of surfaces involving pitching or bowling game pieces toward a scoring goal to generate a score based upon the position of the game pieces and other playing pieces.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Prior art games of these types employ a variety of equipment, playing surfaces, and game elements.  
         [0006]     In U.S. Pat. No. 269,351, a game of lawn pool is disclosed. Stakes are used to support various balls. Players strike game balls with a mallet to score points by knocking the game balls against the stakes and thereby knocking off the ball resting atop each stake.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 2,366,782 discloses a game wherein players score points by rolling balls along the playing surface to a scoring goal. The scoring goal includes an object ball placed in the goal. Points are awarded based upon the position of balls and an object ball in the scoring goal. The players use a roller or other device to roll the game balls.  
         [0008]     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,278, a game with two goals, each goal containing a goal ball and support, is disclosed. Players stand behind the goals and pitch or bowl their game balls to the opposite goal. Points are awarded based upon the closeness of the game ball to the support and whether the goal ball is knocked off the support.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,973 discloses a lawn bowling game with a target ring. The target ring has four quadrants of different colors. Players attempt to land four game balls of the same differing colors into the target ring. Points are scored for any ball rolling within the periphery of the ring. Additional points are awarded for balls that roll into quadrants of the ring with a color that matches that of the ball.  
         [0010]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,708, a lawn rolling game is disclosed. The game consists of ring playing elements and a pair of spaced playing posts positioned at opposing ends of a generally flat playing surface. Players roll the playing rings toward a pair of posts. Points are awarded based on the closeness of the rings to the playing posts.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,962 discloses a ball rolling game, which is comprised of two goals, each having a stake at the center and a scoring zone in the form of a circle around the stake at a predetermined distance. Players roll balls toward the goals and are awarded points based on the closeness of the balls to the stakes.  
         [0012]     All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention discloses a bowling/pitching game that can be played virtually anywhere a substantially flat surface can be found and is enjoyable for adults as well as children. The playing field includes a distance marker and a scoring goal comprised of an outer scoring area and an inner scoring area. The goal also includes a game pole called the OOnagi™ pole and an object ball called an OOnagi™ ball, which sits on top of the OOnagi™ pole. While standing at the distance marker, the players pitch or bowl their balls called chuckers at the scoring goal. Scores are calculated according to the placement of the chuckers and OOnagi™ ball in the scoring goal.  
         [0014]     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the present invention illustrating the playing field  2  of the game, playing surface  4 , chucker board  10 , scoring goal  30 , a solid chucker  22 , and a striped chucker  24 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating the outer diamond  32 , inner square  38 , OOnagi™ pole  44 , and OOnagi™ ball  46 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating the outer diamond  32 , inner square  38 , and OOnagi™ ball  46 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the OOnagi™ scoreboard  50  of the present invention illustrating the OOnagi™ scoreboard  50 , scoring strip  52 , slot  54 , and scoring pin  56 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating potential positions of the chucker  20  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  during game play.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is another top view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating potential positions of the chucker  20  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  during game play.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is another top view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating potential positions of the chucker  20  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  during game play.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is another top view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating potential positions of the chucker  20  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  during game play.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is another top view of the scoring goal  30  of the present invention illustrating potential positions of the chucker  20  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  during game play.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.  
         [0000]     Number of Players  
         [0025]     The game may be played by two to eight players, either individually or in teams. Up to eight individuals may play as single players, or the players can play in teams of two to four players each.  
         [0000]     The Court and Equipment  
         [0026]     While not a requirement, the OOnagi™ game is preferably played on a substantially flat playing surface  4 . A lawn or other soft surface is optimal although the game may be played on a variety of surfaces, including sand, clay, and the like. The game equipment includes a distance marker  10  called the chucker board, balls  20  called chuckers, and a scoring goal  30 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the chucker board  10  is optimally placed thirty feet from the center of the scoring goal  30 . This distance, however, is not a requirement and may be adjusted to accommodate the physical characteristics of the participants and the playing conditions.  
         [0027]     Turning to  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, the scoring goal  30  is comprised of an outer square  32  called the outer diamond, an inner square  38 , a center pole  44  called the OOnagi™ pole, and a ball  46  called the OOnagi™ ball. The outer diamond  32  is formed by four outer poles  34 ; the inner square  38  is formed by four inner poles  40 . The outer poles  34  of the outer diamond  32  are optimally configured to form a square with 41-inch sides. The inner poles  40  of the inner square  38  are optimally configured to form a square with 20.5-inch sides. The outer poles  34  and the inner poles  40  are inserted into the playing surface  4  such that they are substantially perpendicular to the playing surface  4 . Preferably, the outer poles  34  and the inner poles  40  are inserted approximately eight inches in the ground. However, exactly eight inches is not required so long as the outer poles  34  and the inner poles  40  are sufficiently secured to withstand the impact of the chuckers  20 .  
         [0028]     In the preferred embodiment, a line comprised of a cord, string, wire, fishing line, or other suitable material is attached to each outer pole  34  to form an outer boundary  36  of the outer diamond  32 . One skilled in the art would appreciate the multitude of different materials and manners in which this objective can be achieved. Likewise, a line is also attached to each inner pole  40  to former an inner square boundary  42 . Preferably, the lines of the outer boundary and the inner boundary are placed close to the playing surface. Use of the lines, however, is not a requirement. The game can be successfully played without lines attached to the inner poles  40  and outer poles  34 . In that case, the players gauge whether a chucker  20  or OOnagi™ ball  46  is within the outer diamond  32  or inner square  38  by visually inspecting the boundaries created by the perimeter of the outer diamond  32  or inner square  38  formed by the outer poles  34  and the inner poles  40 . In the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer diamond  32  is rotated approximately 45 degrees relative to the inner square  38 . Both the outer diamond  32  and the inner square  38  share a common center point.  
         [0029]     In the preferred embodiment, the four inner square poles  40  are colored differently to match the colors of the chuckers  20 . Preferably, the poles  40  are red, blue, green, and yellow. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the red inner square pole  60  is positioned at the left-hand corner of the inner square  38  closest to the chucker board  10 . In a clockwise fashion, the blue inner square pole  62  occupies the next corner, followed by the green inner square pole  64  and yellow inner square pole  66 . The order by which players or teams pitch their chuckers  20  is governed by the order of inner square poles  40 . The team using red chuckers  20  pitches first, followed by the team using the blue chuckers  20 , then the team using the green chuckers  20 , and finally the team pitching the yellow chuckers  20 . To suit the players&#39; desires, this order may be varied and different colors may be used.  
         [0030]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the game pole referred to as the OOnagi™ pole  44  is placed at the center of the outer diamond  32  and inner square  38 . The OOnagi™ pole  44  is inserted into the playing surface  4  such that it is substantially perpendicular to the surface. Before the participants begin play, the OOnagi™ ball  46  is placed on top of the OOnagi™ pole  44 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred lateral dimensions between the OOnagi™ pole  44  and the outer diamond pole  34 , the inner square pole  40 , and the center of the side of the outer diamond  32 . Preferably, the distance between the OOnagi™ pole  44  and the outer diamond pole  34  is 29 inches; the distance between the OOnagi™ pole  44  and the inner square pole  40  is 14.5 inches; and the distance between the OOnagi™ pole  44  and the center of one of the sides of the outer diamond  32  is 20.5 inches. The invention does not require that these distances be exact, and they may be varied and still achieve the same desired results. For example, if the dimensions of the scoring goal  30  are modified to accommodate the physical characteristics of the participants or the playing conditions, the aforementioned dimensions will likewise be modified.  
         [0031]     In an alternative embodiment, the outer diamond  32  and inner square  38  are replaced with an outer scoring area  70  and inner scoring area  72 . The outer scoring area  70  and inner scoring area  72  can be created by marking the playing surface in a manner such that the perimeter of the scoring areas are visually distinguishable from the playing surface  4 . One skilled in the art would recognize that this could be accomplished by paint, spray paint, chalk, sand, and other suitable materials. The outer scoring area  70  and inner scoring area  72  can also be marked by the use of rope, string, chain, and the like placed on the playing surface  4 . The outer scoring area  70  and inner scoring area  72  are not required to be square in shape and may be of any shape. Moreover, the OOnagi™ pole  44  is not required to be placed at the center of the outer scoring area  70  and inner scoring area  72 . The OOnagi™ pole  44  may be optionally placed anywhere inside the area of the outer scoring area  70 . Typically, the inner scoring area  72  has an area and a perimeter less than the area and perimeter of the outer scoring area  70 . Although not required, the perimeter of the inner scoring area  72  is typically located inside the perimeter of outer scoring area  70 .  
         [0032]     Four pairs of colored balls called chuckers  20  are preferably used. The chuckers  20  may be constructed of wood, plastic, or any other suitable material. Typically, the chuckers  22  are colored red, blue, green, and yellow. One set of chuckers  22  is typically solid; the other set of chuckers  24  is typically white with a stripe of one of the above colors or solid colored with a black stripe. Any type of chuckers  20  may be used so long as they are visually distinguishable. If each team has two players, the teams will use the same color chuckers  20 . One team will use one color; the other teams will use chuckers  20  of one of the other colors. If each team has three or four players, one team will use the striped chuckers  24  and the other team will use the solid chuckers  22 .  
         [0033]     To keep score, the players may use an optional OOnagi™ scoreboard  50 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the scoreboard is comprised of four strips  52  colored red, blue, green, and yellow, matching the colors of the chuckers  20 . Each strip  52 , has two rows of twenty-one slots  54  each. The score is kept by inserting a pin  56  in the slot  54  corresponding to the score. For example, if the red team&#39;s score is ten points, the pin  56  is inserted in the tenth slot  54  from the bottom of the red strip  52 . One skilled in the art would appreciate the numerous different methods that may be employed to keep score, such as using the scoreboard  50  or paper and pencil.  
         [0000]     Purpose of the Game  
         [0034]     The purpose of the game is to score points by pitching the chucker  20  onto the scoring goal  30 . Typically, the first player or team to score exactly twenty-one points wins. This score, however, may be varied according to the players&#39; desires.  
         [0000]     Rules  
         [0035]     The following rules apply to the preferred embodiment. The players may omit some of the following rules without departing from the nature and the spirit of the invention. Modifications to the rules may be preferable due to playing conditions or the physical limitations of the players.  
         [0036]     A legal pitch in the game of OOnagi™ may be bowled (rolled on the ground) or tossed at the OOnagi™ pole  44  in any fashion a player desires. However, at the initiation of the pitch, the player must have one foot on the chucker board  10 . It is permissible to stand in front of the board  10 , as long as one foot is on the board  10  when the pitch is started.  
         [0037]     In the preferred embodiment, the first player/team to get exactly twenty-one points wins. Other point limits, however, may be used. Points are awarded only after every player has pitched their chucker  20 . Points are counted according to proximity to the OOnagi™ pole  44 . If two players are at 20 points and each scores exactly one point on their pitch, then the player that is closest to the OOnagi™ pole  44  received the point first and is the winner. If a player scores more than twenty-one points, that player must subtract the points the player has just scored. For example, if a player/team has 20 points and scores three points, the player/team must subtract the three points from their score. The player/team now has seventeen points and continues to play.  
         [0038]     Stealing points is allowed. Because points are scored only after every player has pitched, any points scored by a player that has gone before a subsequent player can be stolen by striking the preceding player&#39;s chucker  20  out of scoring position. This rule also applies when the OOnagi™ ball  46  has been knocked off the OOnagi™ pole  44 .  
         [0039]     The order of throw is governed by points. The player with the lowest number of points throws first. If more than one player has the same score, the player that has most recently attained that score will throw first. If more than one player has the same score and arrived at that score on the same throw, the order of colors is used to determine who pitches firsts, (red followed in order by blue, green, and yellow). This order matches the order of the colored inner square poles  40 . Starting with the red inner square pole  60  and looking clockwise, the blue inner square pole  62  is next, followed by the green inner square pole  64  and yellow inner square pole  66 . This order of throw is critical as it allows players with fewer points the opportunity to place their chuckers  20  in defense around the OOnagi™ pole  44  before the players with a higher score get to pitch.  
         [0040]     To start the game, each player will chuck once and the highest scoring chucker  20  gets to start the game. If no one scores, the player whose chucker  20  is closest to the OOnagi™ pole  44  starts the game. This is called the proximity rule. Other players fill in the order by the next highest score or the next closest chucker. After the first round, points dictate the throwing order, if points are not scored, then the proximity rule still applies.  
         [0000]     Scoring  
         [0041]     A player/team gets one point when the chucker  20  lands in the outer diamond  32 . A player/team gets three points when the chucker  20  lands in the inner square  38 . Any time the OOnagi™ ball  46  is knocked off the OOnagi™ pole  44 , it is called an “OOnagi.” A player/team scores points on an OOnagi™ only when the OOnagi™ ball  46  and their chucker  20  stays within the outer diamond  32  or inner square  38 . A player/team gets five points for the OOnagi™ when three criteria are met: the chucker  20  knocks the OOnagi™ ball  46  off the OOnagi™ pole  44 , the OOnagi™ ball  46  lands in the inner square  38  and the chucker  20  stays within the outer diamond  32  or inner square  38 . In this case, both the OOnagi™ and the chucker are scored. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the player/team gets six points, five points for the OOnagi™ ball  46  staying in the inner square  38  and one point for the chucker  20  staying in the outer diamond  32 .  
         [0042]     A player/team gets three points for the OOnagi™ when the OOnagi™ ball  46  lands in the outer diamond  32  and the chucker  20  stays within the outer diamond  32  or inner square  38 . Both the OOnagi™ and the chucker  20  are scored. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the player/team gets four points, three for the OOnagi™ and one for the chucker  20  landing in the outer diamond  32 . A player/team&#39;s chucker  20  must remain within the outer diamond  32  or inner square  38  to score any points from an OOnagi™. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the player/team does not score because the chucker  20  rolled outside the outer diamond  32  after the OOnagi™ ball  46  was knocked off the OOnagi™ pole  44 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , if a player/team knocks the OOnagi™ ball  46  off the OOnagi™ pole  44  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  lands outside the outer diamond  32 , that player/team&#39;s score rolls back to equal that of the lowest scoring team/player after the conclusion of the turn.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , if a player/team knocks the OOnagi™ ball  46  off the OOnagi™ pole  44  and both the OOnagi™ ball  46  and chucker  20  remain in the inner square, this is a “Grand OOnagi” and that player/team wins the game automatically if none of the subsequent players are able to steal the OOnagi™ by knocking the preceding player&#39;s chucker  20  out of the inner square  38  or knocking the OOnagi™ ball  46  out of the inner square  38 . If a subsequent player is able to knock the OOnagi™ ball  46  out of the inner square  38  and the OOnagi™ ball  46  is struck too hard and lands outside of the outer diamond  32 , then the subsequent player&#39;s score is rolled back equal to that of the lowest scoring player at the conclusion of the turn.  
         [0045]     Points awarded for the OOnagi™ ball  46  may be stolen. For example, if player/team one gets three points for knocking the OOnagi™ ball  46  off the OOnagi™ pole  44  and landing it in the outer diamond  32  while their chucker  20  lands in the outer diamond  32 , then player/team three can knock player/team one&#39;s chucker  20  out of the outer diamond  32  and steal the three points for the OOnagi™ ball so long as player/team three&#39;s chucker  20  remains within the outer diamond  32 .  
         [0046]     If a player/team&#39;s chucker  20  is struck in such a fashion as to drive it into the OOnagi™ pole  44  and knock the OOnagi™ ball  46  off the OOnagi™ pole  44  and it lands in such a manner as to score points, then those points belong to the chucker  20  that actually made contact with the OOnagi™ pole  46 . For example, if player two lands the. chucker  20  in front of the OOnagi™ pole  44 , and player/team four knocks player/team two&#39;s chucker  20  into the OOnagi™ pole  44  and knocks off the OOnagi™ ball  46 , player/team two is awarded whatever points result from the OOnagi™ since their chucker  20  hit the OOnagi™ pole  44 . In the above scenario, if the OOnagi™ ball  46  comes to rest outside of the outer diamond  32 , then the player/team that originally pitched the contacting chucker  20  is the player/team whose score is rolled back to the lowest score. In the example above, player two&#39;s score would be rolled back to the lowest score.  
         [0047]     All of the specifics mentioned in the description of the game shall not be construed as limitations of the scope of this invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Other variations are possible. For example, the size of the scoring goal  30 , the distance between the chucker board  10  and the scoring goal  30 , and the points required to win the game may be varied.  
         [0048]     While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. Since modifications and changes may be made to the game to fit particular operating requirements, physical characteristics of the participants, and environments and playing conditions, and those modifications and changes would be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purpose of disclosure, and covers all modifications and changes, which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.