Abstract:
A method for playing a paper airplane game is disclosed. The game is played by, first, positioning a hoop within a playing environment. Next, a paper airplane is thrown towards the hoop. If the paper airplane did not pass through the hoop, the thrower move to the location of the paper airplane re-throw the paper airplane towards the hoop. This process is repeated until the paper airplane passes through the hoop.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/591,174, entitled “PAPER AIRPLANE GAME,” filed on Jan. 26, 2012 by Jedd Olsen. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This application relates generally to systems and methods for providing a recreational activity. More specifically, this application relates to systems and methods for providing a recreational game involving the throwing of paper airplanes through a series of hoops. This application further relates to a kit having a set of articles that can be used to play a paper airplane game. This application still further relates to one or more hoops useful in a paper airplane game, which can be located on various objects in a playing environment. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Paper airplanes are toy aircrafts that are made out or paper, paperboard, card stock or another similar material. These toys aircrafts are made, for example, by folding one or more sheets of paper to have one or two wings with a fold of paper below the wing(s) that can be held as the user throws the paper airplane. Numerous styles of paper airplanes are known that can be made by folding one or more sheets of paper using a predetermined pattern. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a set of components included in a representative kit used in a paper airplane game. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a representative instance of a paper airplane game having a set of hoops disposed within a playing environment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perceptive view of a representative hanging hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front and side views of a series of representative hoops of various sizes, according to some embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view a base member, according to some embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a partial front view of a hanging rod, according to some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view a representative standing hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a base member connected to a stand, according to some embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial front view of a standing hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a representative suction hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of an integrated hoop and base member, according to some embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of an integrated hoop and base member, according to some embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a base member and hoop member, according to some embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates a side view of the embodiments of the base member and the hoop member of  FIG. 12 , with the hoop member being separated from the base member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perceptive view of a representative suction hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  illustrates a perceptive view of a representative door hanging hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perceptive view of a representative hanging hoop, according to some embodiments. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  illustrates at least some components included in another representative kit used in a paper airplane game. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
         [0026]    The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, left/right and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application or embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0027]    For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A/B” means A or B. For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).” 
         [0028]    Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent. The description may use the phrases “in an embodiment,” or “in various embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous with the definition afforded the term “comprising.” 
         [0029]    The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other. 
         [0030]    As used herein the term “paper airplane” refers to any toy aircraft made by folding paper, paperboard, cardstock or another suitable material. Non-limiting examples include such as paper airplanes, paper plane, paper gliders, and paper darts. 
         [0031]    This application relates generally to systems and methods for providing a recreational activity. More specifically, this application relates to systems and methods for providing a recreational game involving the throwing of paper airplanes through a series of hoops. In general, the paper airplane game (herein simply “game”) can be played by placing a series of hoops within a playing environment and then throwing the paper airplanes through the hoops in order. Each participant may count the number of throws that it takes him/her to successfully throw a paper airplane through each successive hoop. After each participant makes his/her paper airplane through the first hoop, the number of throws taken to successfully make the paper airplanes through this first hoop can be recorded. The participant can then proceed to throw their paper airplane through the second hoop, repeating this process until each participant has thrown their paper airplane through each hoop. If a single throw does not successfully pass through the target hoop, the participant may make the subsequent throw from the location of the paper airplane. The participant who successfully threw his/her paper airplane through each of the successive hoops in the lowest number of throws can be designated as the winner of the game or of the round. 
         [0032]    Reference will first be made to  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a representative paper airplane game kit (or simply “kit”)  26  which includes several articles that can be used to play the game. For instance, the kit  26  can include one or more sheets of paper  22  that can be formed into one or more paper airplanes  20 . The kit  26  can also include a set of hoops, such as one or more standing hoops  30 , one or more door hanging hoops  32 , one or more hanging hoops  37  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 16 ), and/or one or more suction hoops  34 . In some instances, the hoops of the kit  26  can include modifiable and/or interchangeable parts, such that the kit  26  includes a set of parts that can be used to make a customized set of hoops for each instance of the game. For example, the kit  26  can include one or more hoops of one or more sizes, one or more of base members  40 , one or more hanging rod  48 , and/or one or more suction cups  58 . In instances where one or more bands  44 , such as rubber bands are used to secure the hoop member  42  to the base member  40 , one or more bands  44  can also been included in the kit  26 . In some instances, the kit  26  can further include a container (not shown), such as a box, a bag, or other suitable container for holding the articles of the kit  26 . Also, the kit  26  can optionally include a set of scorecards  36 , a pen or other writing instrument, instructions on how to fold one or more types of paper airplanes, and/or instructions on how to play the game. 
         [0033]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 2 , which depicts a playing environment in which six hoops  30 ,  32   a ,  32   b ,  34   a ,  34   b , and  37  have been strategically positioned in preparation for the game. It is contemplated that the game be played in a variety of playing environments, such as within a single room, within a set of rooms, in an outdoor environment (e.g., a backyard), or in various other suitable environment. The illustrated playing environment is a relatively large room, such as a living room or a great room. It is further contemplated that the game can be played with any number of hoops, such as, for example, with 1 hoop, 2 hoops, 3 hoops, 4 hoops, 5 hoops, 6 hoops, 8 hoops, 10 hoops, 12 hoops, 18 hoops, or more than 18 hoops. 
         [0034]    In preparation for the game, one or more persons can strategically place hoops located within the playing environment. The person or persons who place the hoops can be game participants  38  or neutral third parties. It will be understood, that the placement of the hoops may determine the difficulty of the game. For instance, when hoops are placed very far apart, placed on moving objects, or placed behind objects or barriers, it may be more difficult for participants  38  to complete the game in a relatively small number of throws. Moreover, the size of the hoops placed in the playing environments can provide additional challenges to game participants. 
         [0035]    Turning now to the placement of hoops in the playing environment shown in  FIG. 2 , in some instances, during game setup, hoops can be placed on any accessible object, surface, or location in the playing environment. Representative locations for placing hoops include, for instance, on top of an object, beneath an object, attached to the side of an object, or hanging from an object. For example, hoops can be placed on the ground, on the ceiling, or within an object (e.g., a bookshelf or armoire). Specifically, in the illustrated playing environment, a standing hoop  30  is shown as sitting on top of a table, while a suction hoop  34   a  is depicted as hanging from the bottom of the table. Additionally, another suction hoop  34   b  is depicted as hanging from fan within the playing environment. Two additional hoops, hanging hoops  32   a  and  32   b , are depicted as hanging on two doors within the playing environment. A hanging hoop  37  is also shown as hanging from a ceiling or other roof structure. 
         [0036]    It will be understood that the present hoops, including the standing hoops  30 , door hanging hoops  32 , hanging hoops  37  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 16 ), and/or suction hoops  34 , can be used with a variety of games and activities having a variety of rules. However, herein, these hoops are described in reference to a paper airplane game. 
         [0037]    During setup of the paper airplane game, hoops within the playing environment can be numbered or otherwise assigned an order that will determine the order in which the games is played. Generally, each participant  38  throws his/her paper airplane through each hoop starting with the first hoop and proceeding through each hoop to the last hoop. Accordingly, during play, each participant  38  can attempt to throw is paper airplane  20  through the first hoop. Once the participant  38  successfully throws his/her paper airplane  20  through the first hoop, that participant  38  can then attempt to throw his/her paper airplane  20  through the second hoop, and so on to the last hoop. Alternatively, in some instances, the game is played in a free-for-all style, in which each participant  38  is only required to throw his/her paper airplane through all of the hoop, without regard to order. 
         [0038]    The game may begin with each game participant  38  making one or more paper airplanes  20  that he/she will use during the game. In some instances, the participant  38  is required to use only the paper airplane(s)  20  that he/she made. The participants  38  may not allowed to make additional paper airplanes  20  thereafter. However, during play, the participant  38  may be allowed to repair or adjust his/her paper airplane(s)  20 . In some embodiments, the kit  26  includes instructions on how to make one or more styles of paper airplanes  20 . The instructions can include printed lines on paper that show the user where to fold the sheet of paper  22  to form the paper airplane  20 . In some embodiments, instructions or airplane templates can also be downloaded from a related website, printed, and used to make the paper airplanes  20  for the game. The kit  26  can also include colored paper, colored markers, colored pencils, or other such tools for providing color to an paper airplane  20 . 
         [0039]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , after the one or more paper airplanes  20  are assembled, each participant  38  can throw a paper airplane  20  at each hoop. The participants  38  can take turns throwing according to a predetermined order, they may throw sporadically, or a first participant  38  can play until his/her paper airplane passes through the first hoop. In the latter example, the first participant  38  can then continue to the next hoop, and a second participant  38  can then begin to throw his/her paper airplane through the first hoop, and so on. In another example, each participant  38  can take turn throwing to a common hoop. After each participant has made his/her initial throw, the participant  38  with the paper airplane farthest from the hoop can be the first to make a second throw. Similarly, the participant  38  with the next farthest plane will go second, and so on, until each participant  38  has thrown the paper airplane  20  a second time or has made their paper airplane  20  through the hoop. 
         [0040]    When throwing towards the first hoop, the participants  38  may each line up behind a start line  60  and attempt to throw their respective paper airplanes  20  through the first hoop  34 . As illustrated, the first hoop can be the suction hoop  34   a  hanging under table in the center of the playing environment. In some instances, there is also a designated starting line  60  for each subsequent hoop. In other instance, the general start place for each hoop after the first hoop is an area near the last hoop. 
         [0041]    In some instances, the object of the game can be for a participant  38  to throw his/her paper airplane  20  through each of the hoops in order in the least number of throws. Thus, the participant  38  with the lowest score number of total throws at the end of the game will be the winner. Scoring can be recorded any number of ways, including on a scorecard  36 . 
         [0042]    Reference will now be made to specific embodiments of hoop structures shown in  FIGS. 3 to 11 . It will be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a door hanging hoop  32  is illustrated, which can be hung on various objects during game setup. For example, the door hanging hoop  32  can be hung on a door, a cabinet, other furniture, a clothing line, a pipe, a shelf, a tree, or numerous other objects. This door hanging hoop  32  can provide wide-ranging versatility to the number of locations onto which this hoop can be hung. This same versatility can provide challenge and diversity to the game. As shown, the door hanging hoop  32  can include a hanging rod  48  that is connected to a base member  40 , which in turn is connected to a hoop member  42 . The hoop member  42  can be removable and can be secured to the base member  40  with one or more bands (e.g., rubber bands, string, elastic strips)  44  that can allow the hoop member  42  to be removed and replaced with a different sized hoop. Also, when incorporated into a kit  26 , the removability of the bands allows a user to customize the various hoops used in a game. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the hoop member  42  is fixedly connected to the base member  40 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . In such embodiments, the hoop and base member  40  can form an integrated hoop and base member. Similarly, the base member  40  can be fixedly or removably coupled to the hanging rod  48 . As shown, the hanging rod  48  can include a hook portion  50  that forms a hook. 
         [0043]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates three representative hoops members  42  having different sizes. These hoop members can be interchangeably used with each of the types of hoops: the standing hoop  30 , the door hanging hoop  32 , the hanging hoop  37 , and the suction hoop  34 . The top-most hoop member  42  includes an eight-inch center opening. The middle hoop member  42  includes a ten-inch center opening. The bottom-most hoop member  42  includes a twelve-inch center opening. In other embodiments, the center opening can have various other sizes or shapes. For instance, the center opening can include about a 4-inch opening, about a 6-inch opening, about an 8-inch opening, about a 12-inch opening, about an 18-inch opening, or a greater than about an 18-inch opening. Moreover, the shape of the center opening can be a triangle, square, or other polygon, in addition to an ellipse, oval, circle, or other suitable shape. As further shown, the hoop member  42  can include a 1.5-inch frame that forms the body of the hoop member. The size of this frame can be increased or decreased depending on the material (e.g., plastic, metal, wood, etc.) used to form the hoop member  42 . For example, the frame of the hoop member  42  can be less than about 0.25 inches wide, about 0.25 inches wide, about 0.5 inches wide, about 0.75 inches wide, about 1.0 inch wide, about 1.25 inches wide, about 1.75 inches wide, about 2.0 inches wide, about 2.25 inches wide, about 2.5 inches wide, and greater than 2.5 inches wide. 
         [0044]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 5 , which depicts a side view of some embodiments of a base member  40  coupled to a hoop member  42 . In some embodiments, the base member  40  can be interchangeable used with each of the types of hoops: the standing hoop  30 , the door hanging hoop  32 , and the suction hoop  34 . As shown, the base member  40  can have a generally triangular or other such cross-section that provides stability to the hoop member  42 . A channel  52  can be formed through the base member  40 , which is configured to receive the hoop member  42 . After a hoop member is placed with the channel  52 , a band  44  can secure the hoop member  42  in place. For example, one or more band attachment members  46  can be formed on opposing sides of the base member  40 . The band attachment members  46  can be configured to selectively receive and hold in place one or more bands  44 . The band attachment members  46  can include knobs, books, or others features configured to receive and hold a band. In some configurations the bands  53  are rubber bands that can be attached to a band attachment member  46 , looped over the hoop member  42 , and attached to an opposing band attachment member  46 . As shown, the base member  40  can include a base width of approximately  1 . 25  inches and a height of approximately  1 . 5  inches. It will be understood that these dimensions can be modified based on the desired size of the base member  40 . 
         [0045]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 6 , which illustrates a partial front view of a door hanging hoop  32 . As shown, the base member  40  can include two or more band attachment members  46  on a side. This can provide additional stability to the hoop member  42  particularly when hoop member  42  is supported by the base member  40  on a side portion of the hoop member  42 . As mentioned, the bands  44  can be rubber bands or another elastomeric band that have elastic properties that can provide flexibility to the door hanging hoop  32  or other hoop structure and reduce the likelihood that the hoop member  42  breaks away from the base member  40 . 
         [0046]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates some embodiments of a standing hoop  30 , which can hold the hoop member  42  upright and be placed on any horizontal or relatively horizontal surface during set up. As shown, the base member  40  can be coupled to a stand  56  and assists in maintaining the hoop member  42  in a substantially vertical position, even in instances when the hoop member  42  is struck with a paper airplane  20 . Accordingly, the stand  56  can form a base that is larger than the bottom of the base member  40 . For example, the stand  56  can have widths and/or lengths between about 1 inch to about 2 inches, about 2 inches to about 3 inches, about 3 inches to about 4 inches, about 4 inches to about 6 inches, about 6 inches to about 8 inches, about 8 inches to about 12 inches, and greater than about 12 inches. Moreover, the stand  56  can be fixedly or removably coupled to the hoop attachment member  40 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of a standing hoop  30  with a stand  56  and the dimensions thereof, and  FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of a standing hoop  30  with a stand  56  and the dimensions thereof. It will be understood that these dimensions can be modified based on the desired size of the standing hoop  30 . 
         [0047]    Reference will now be made to  FIG. 10 , which illustrates some embodiments of a suction hoop  34  which can be stuck on a variety of relatively flat surfaces during the game setup. For example, the suction hoop  34  can be attached to a window pane, an flat horizontal surface, a flat inclined surface, a ceiling, or other flat surfaces of various objects. The suction cups  58  can enable the suction hoop  34  to provide wide-ranging versatility to the number of locations onto which hoops can be hung during the game. This same versatility can provide challenge and diversity to the game by allowing the suction hoop  34  to be oriented in nearly any manner. As shown, the suction hoop  34  can include one or more suction cups  58  fixedly or removably coupled to the base member  40 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  illustrates some alternative hoop embodiments, in which the hoop member  42  and the base member  40  are combined into an integrated hoop and base member  72 . In these various embodiments of the integrated hoop and base member  72  and the base member  40  (as described above), the base member  40  can include weights  66 , one or more cavities  68  for receiving a suction cup  58 , and/or a support channel  70  for selectively coupling to a support, such as a hanging rod  48  or a stand  56 . These various embodiments can reduce the need for bands  44  and may reduce the overall part count of the kit  26 . 
         [0049]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , which illustrates other representative embodiments of a base member  40 . As show, the base member  40  can be coupled to the hoop member  42  via a press fit or snap fit type fitting. For example, the channel  52  of the base member  40  can include one or more protrusions  80 , bumps, ridges, springs, or other outwardly directed structures that press against or mate with portions of the hoop member  42 . The hoop member  42  can alternatively include one or more channels  82 , holes, indents, or other inwardly directed structures that mate with or at least partially receive the outwardly directed structures (e.g., the channels  82 ). As shown, the hoop member  42  can include one or more channels  82  that extend completely or partially around one or both sides of the hoop member  42 . To accommodate the press fit or snap fit connection, the rising walls  84  of the base member  40  that form the channel  52  can be configured to flex outward during the insertion of the hoop member  42  into the channel  52  and apply an inward pressure on the hoop member  42  after it is situated within the channel  52 . The rising walls  84  can be substantially parallel and form the channel  52  between the two walls. The shape and size of the rising walls  84 , the channel  52 , the outwardly directed structures, and inwardly directed structures can be made so that the base member  40  can retain the hoop member  42  therein in any orientation. These components can also be shaped and sized to allow an average user to insert and remove the hoop member  42  from the base member  42  without requiring excessive force. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 12 and 13  further show that the stand  56 , a platform, or other such structure can be integrated into the base member  40 . In some embodiments, this stand  56  can be used with the suction hoop  34 , as shown, to support two or more suction cups  58 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 14 through 16  illustrate embodiments of the suction hoop  34 , door hanging hoop  32 , and hanging hoop  37 , which include the representative base member  40  depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
         [0052]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 15 , the hanging hoop  37  can include a hook  90  and extension  92  in addition or alternative to the base member  40 . The hook  90  can be shaped and sized to receive a hoop member  42  and secure it in place. For example, the hook  90  can completely around one wide face of the hoop member  42  and have a portion  94  that partially wraps around an opposite face of the hoop member  42 . The hook  90  can be coupled to a rope, extension, or other such structure that attached to a base member  40  or other attachment device or which wraps around an object from which the hanging hoop  37  hangs. 
         [0053]      FIG. 17  illustrates a complete or partial kit for the paper airplane game, with airplanes, various sized hoop members  42 , and various base members  40 . 
         [0054]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.