Abstract:
A gaming apparatus for a sliding-type game is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a length of a sliding surface is provided with an underlying target area and playing pieces are slid along the surface to land over desired targets. Magnets may be used to provide additional challenge. Many possibilities of use are possible as the apparatus may lend itself to various game scenarios.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority as a perfection of prior filed U.S. provisional application No. 62/148,328, filed Apr. 16, 2015 and incorporates the same by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of games and more particularly relates to a sliding target game which may utilize magnets for enhanced difficulty. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Games are a form of amusement found in most civilizations. Games may be made of any material readily available and may incorporate concepts, designs, beliefs, or any aspect of human civilization. As human civilization has advanced, games have become more and more complex and often utilize discoveries of nature that a civilization has incorporated. 
         [0004]    Friction is one such discovery of nature. One common type of game that has been invented requires a player to slide a playing piece, which will be termed generically as a “puck,” over a surface at a distance so as to have the puck stop sliding in a particular target. One such game is shuffleboard. Magnetism is another discovery of nature. Magnetism when used in games can create either attractive or repulsive forces and it is often used to trigger switches or allow controlled movement of playing pieces across a board. 
         [0005]    The combination of magnetism and sliding friction in a single game presents many possible game variants as the combination can present difficulties in not only estimating the strength of a slide to overcome friction in just the right amount and estimating release angles, but also estimating sufficient force to overcome, or even utilize, magnetic repulsion and attraction. Many games with multiple rule sets may be developed for such a gaming apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One embodiment of the game apparatus features a smooth sliding surface positioned over a substrate. The surface may be a polymer such as Poly(methyl_methacrylate) (“PLEXIGLASS”) or any other suitable surface and should be of significant length compared to the puck pieces that are slid upon it. A friction reducing material may or may not be applied to the surface. One end of the surface is defined as the head, the other the foot, and a target may be placed between the surface and the substrate at the head. For use with magnetic applications, it may be helpful if the target is fashioned on a sheet of ferrous or other magnetic metal. Pucks are then slid from the foot of the surface to the head in hopes of stopping over the target. The pucks may be magnetized and additional magnets may be added to the target. Barriers may border the sides and head of the surface and the head may rest on supports so as to reduce pressure on the target and any associated magnets. Various game scenarios may be developed for the apparatus, including using additional target areas and placing supports in other places along the length of the surface to create an undulating effect or placing the surface on a uniform substrate for a totally even playing surface. 
         [0007]    The more important features of one embodiment of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
         [0008]    Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
         [0009]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 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 description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0010]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the gaming apparatus. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 2 , taken along line  3 - 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 1 , modified by additional support. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the head of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with magnets applied to one position in the target area. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the head of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with magnets applied to a second position in the target area. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the head of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 6 , in use during a game. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a puck for use with the gaming apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the puck of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an alternate perspective view of the puck of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the puck of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate puck design. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternate puck design. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the foot of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with a target placed underneath said foot. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the foot of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 14 , in use. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an exploded view of an alternate gaming apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a close up view of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a sectional view of the gaming apparatus of  FIG. 18 , taken along line  19 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the gaming apparatus is herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the preferred gaming apparatus  100  comprises a long sliding surface  110  positioned upon a substrate  105 . The substrate may be a bare floor or table or it may be a secondary sheet, as depicted here, to help increase friction between the sliding surface and an underlying surface. It is worth noting the secondary sheet, as is shown, may also provide a queue area for pucks  160  as well as an increased friction area should a puck return after play. While not necessary to basic function, side rails  120  may be added to help keep pucks  160  on the sliding surface  110 . A back board  150  may also be added for similar reasons. Both of these structures may be used or eliminated depending upon user preference and/or game play. At the head of the sliding surface  110 , supports  130  raise the head and provide a slight incline to help transition the sliding surface  110  over the target plate  140 , which presents a target  145  for a given game. Target plate  140  is ideally made of ferrous metal or some other magnetic material and the target  145  may encompass all or a portion of the surface area of the target plate  140 . In play, a friction reducing agent, such as a type marketed as “shuffleboard wax” may be applied to the sliding surface (grains  115  in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). 
         [0032]    Target magnets  170  may be added to the target area to increase play challenge and difficulty ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Ideally, target magnets  170  are positioned on the target plate  140 , about the target  145 . The position of the target magnets  170  may vary on the target  145 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the depicted target  145 , a goal of the player may be to land a puck  160  on one of the depicted target stripes for a given point value, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Positioning the target magnets  170  outward, as shown in  FIG. 5 , allows the pucks  160  more space in which to reside over a target magnet  170  or more space to move around if repelled by the same target magnet  170  as compared to the inward positioning shown in  FIG. 6 . Thus, for the basic concept described herein, the arrangement shown in  FIG. 5  would be easier on players. Of course, this is but one example of possible gameplay. In other games, magnets may be positioned on any area of the target  145  so as to provide obstacles or goals or may even be positioned along the length of the sliding surface  110 . It has been found, however, that the target magnets  170  and magnetized pucks  160  perform better when the target magnets  170  are positioned on a ferrous metal or other surface with magnetic affinity. Pads  175  may be placed on the target magnets  170  to help cushion the interface with the sliding surface and also serve as a buffer for the magnetic field. 
         [0033]    Pucks  160  may be a very simple construction, as shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . Ideally, a puck  160  will have a cap  162  positioned upon a collar  164  which is in turn fastened over a low friction base  168 . Between collar  164  and base  168 , a magnet  166  may reside. If magnetized, the puck base  168  should be a smooth metal so as to not interfere with the magnetic field. The depicted magnet  166  is a ring or donut magnet as this is the preferred construction, however any shape of magnet will perform according to the basic tenants of the invention. A ring magnet presents the added benefit of being able to house other structures, like batteries, switches and indicators, which may add interactive elements to puck  160  and game play. Different caps  161 , 163  ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ) may also be employed for different gameplay or for providing space for additional elements to the puck  160 . 
         [0034]    It is readily understood that different strengths of magnets will cause different interplay between the puck  160  and target magnets  170 . It has been found that the use of class 8 target magnets  170  and class 5 puck magnets  166  provide good interplay between the puck  160  and target  145 . However, it is readily understood that this is a preference of the inventor and is not limiting to the invention as a whole. 
         [0035]    An alternate embodiment of the apparatus ( FIGS. 16-19 ) provides continuous support of the sliding surface  310  on a thicker, supporting substrate  305 . A hole  335  in the substrate  305  provides for positioning of the target plate  340 . The target plate  340  may or may not be supported by a pad  330  ( FIG. 19 ). The thickness of the pad  330 , if used, alternately may or may not allow for the use of target magnets (not shown). Back board  350  may be made to interface directly with the substrate, such as by the interfacing teeth  315 ,  355  illustrated in  FIG. 17 . This particular embodiment allows for no slope of any kind on the playing surface by countersinking the target plate  340  into the substrate  305 . 
         [0036]    Other variations may be used to provide different forms of game play. Additional supports  180  may be positioned underneath the sliding surface to add challenge to a game ( FIG. 4 ) such as adding a hill obstacle or by providing a launch area (as shown) onto which pucks may be placed before being released onto the target area. Other targets  245  may also be used ( FIGS. 14 and 15 ) and positioned anywhere along the sliding surface  110  for different games. Target plates  240  may or may not have target magnets  170 . 
         [0037]    It is to be readily understood that the construction of the gaming apparatus lends itself to great versatility and adjustment. Various thicknesses of substrate may be used to create a varied playing surface. The sliding surface may be positioned on the substrate in a manner to lengthen or shorten the apparatus and may be manufactured in a manner to allow for obstacles or hazards by merely leaving holes in the sliding surface. Side rails and the backboard may be alternately removed or differently shaped for other playing effects. Positioning of the magnets on or about the target plate may be adjusted for different games and such positioning may be affected by the thickness of the substrate underneath the plate or spacers about the plate. Different target plates may also be designed for different games. 
         [0038]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.