Abstract:
A gaming bag including at least one outer wall defining a cavity, at least one light emitting source positioned adjacent the at least one outer wall, a filling material disposed within the cavity, and wherein the at least one light emitting source provides illumination. A method of lighting a gaming bag comprising the steps of providing a gaming bag comprising at least one outer wall defining a cavity, at least one light emitting source positioned adjacent the at least one wall, a shock sensor within the cavity, a filling material within the cavity, and wherein the at least one light emitting source provides illumination, tossing the gaming bag, measuring a force with the shock sensor upon impact with a surface, activating the light emitting source when the force is greater than the predetermined threshold, and deactivating the light emitting source after a predetermined amount of time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates generally to a tossable gaming bag. More particularly, the invention relates to a tossable gaming bag having a filler material such as corn or beans and an illumination source. Specifically, the invention relates to a lighted gaming bag having either an internal or external illumination source as well as the ability to selectively illuminate the respective sources. 
     2. Background Information 
     Gaming bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes for a multitude of purposes. Gaming bags may be used in combination with a target or just freely thrown about. One of the more popular games that utilizes gaming bags is cornhole. 
     Cornhole is generally played with two game boards and eight gaming bags. The gaming bags have two sets of distinctive colors or patterns, with four bags having each color or pattern. The gaming bags are generally made of duck cloth or a similar heavy weight tight woven material to ensure strength and durability for outdoor use. The cornhole board in generally rectangular in shape with a raised back end and a hole located proximate the back end. The cornhole board is arranged similar to a ramp so that the gaming bag can be slid towards the back end and still permit the bag to remain on the board after being thrown. Regulation cornhole boards are approximately two feet wide and four feet long, with the front end resting on the ground and the back end raised approximately twelve inches. 
     Cornhole is played in frames, where each player rotates throwing his or her gaming bag towards the target. After all eight bags have been thrown, the bags remaining on the cornhole board are scored as one point and any bags traversing the hole are scored as three points. The ultimate goal of the game is to be the first team to reach 21 points. Although this seems like a fairly easy task, since the boards are placed approximately thirty-three feet apart from one another, scoring may be difficult. Further, since the boards are required to be a certain distance apart, the game must be played during daylight hours in order to be able to see the board and calculate the score. 
     Cornhole board manufacturers have adapted the game to include lights surrounding various features of the board. In particular, cornhole boards are sold that include LEDs or fiber optics which define the outer perimeter of the board as well as the scoring hole. Further, LEDs have been used to illuminate the scoring hole from the bottom side. While the lighted cornhole board provides interesting visual effects and allows the players to see the board at night, the player is still unable to determine if his or her bag has landed on the board or traversed the scoring hole. Thus, the players are still unable to adequately play in the dark, and are unable to receive any form of feedback after throwing the gaming bag. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention broadly comprises a gaming bag including at least one outer wall defining a cavity, at least one light emitting source positioned adjacent the at least one outer wall, a filling material disposed within the cavity, and wherein the at least one light emitting source provides illumination. 
     The present invention also broadly comprises a method of lighting a gaming bag comprising the steps of providing a gaming bag comprising at least one outer wall defining a cavity, at least one light emitting source positioned adjacent the at least one wall, a shock sensor within the cavity, a filling material within the cavity, and wherein the at least one light emitting source provides illumination, tossing the gaming bag, measuring a force with the shock sensor upon impact with a surface, activating the light emitting source when the force is greater than the predetermined threshold, and deactivating the light emitting source after a predetermined amount of time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a preferred embodiment gaming bag with glow sticks. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment gaming bag taken about line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged side view of the section labeled  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment gaming bag being thrown and landing on a cornhole board. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a second preferred embodiment gaming bag with glow sticks and an internal light emitting source with portions removed and portions shown in dashed lines. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment light emitting source removed from the gaming bag. 
         FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of the second preferred embodiment gaming bag taken about line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of the light emitting source electrical arrangement. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment gaming bag being thrown and landing on the cornhole board. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a third preferred embodiment gaming bag with the light emitting source stitched within the gaming bag. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a fourth preferred embodiment gaming bag secured with a hook and loop fastener. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described. 
     The lighted gaming bag of the present invention is indicated generally at  12 , as is particularly shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . As particularly shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a first preferred embodiment lighted gaming bag  14  includes a top wall  16  and a bottom wall  18 . A plurality of mounting loops  20  extend outward from a side wall  22  formed at the attachment of top and bottom walls  16  and  17 . Top wall  16  and a bottom wall  18  are secured together with thread  24 . As particularly seen in  FIG. 3 , the top wall includes an end  26 , while the bottom wall includes an end  28 . The respective ends  26  and  28  are folded inward and stitched shut with thread  24 . 
     Mounting loops  20  are formed from a single cloth layer forming a cavity  30  between a first end  32  and a second end  34 . In particular, first and second ends  32  and  34  are located proximate one another and disposed between top wall end  26  and bottom wall end  28  and arranged to provide cavity  30  with approximately the same diameter as the outside diameter of a glow stick  36 . As particularly seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first and second ends  32  and  34  are secured between top wall end  26  and bottom wall end  28  with thread  24 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, eight mounting loops  20  are arranged in pairs on each side of lighted gaming bag  14 . Although gaming bag  14  has been described with eight mounting loops and two mounting loops on each side, one skilled in the art should immediately recognize that any amount of mounting loops and any particular arrangement of mounting loops may be incorporated so long as glow sticks  36  are securely held in place without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. 
     Each side wall  22  of lighted bag  14  is preferably the same length, thereby forming a generally square shape as seen in  FIG. 1 . Side walls  22  are preferably arranged orthogonal to one another to form a corner  38  at each connection point. Lighted gaming bag  14  preferably has a length L of approximately six inches and a width W of approximately six inches, although any length or width may be utilized. Glow sticks  36 , on the other hand, have a length of less than six inches in the preferred embodiment to ensure that the glow stick does not extend beyond each respective side wall  22 . 
     Finally, lighted gaming bag  14  includes a cavity  40  formed by top wall  16  and bottom wall  18  and filled with a filling material  42  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Filling material  42  may be any suitable substance including, but not limited to, beans, corn, sand, beads or plastic pellets. 
     Having described the structure of a first preferred embodiment, a preferred method of operation will now be described in greater detail and should be read in light of  FIGS. 1-4  and particularly  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates lighted gaming bag  14  in a first position  44  and a second position  46 . In order to provide illumination from the glow sticks, the user may either remove glow stick  36  and snap each of them to provide the illumination and then replace the glow stick within mounting loops  20 , or the user may snap the glow stick while still within mounting loops  20 . After each of glow sticks  36  have been snapped to provide illumination  48 , the user can then begin using lighted gaming bag  14 . In particular, the user throws lighted gaming bag  14  in the direction associated with arrow  50  in an attempt to locate gaming bag  14  on a gaming board  52  and particularly a top surface  54  or a scoring hole  56 . Since lighted gaming bag  14  provides illumination  48  from glow stick  36 , the user may play the game in low or no light conditions and still be able to located the gaming bag at all times. 
     Having described the structure and operation of the first embodiment, only those portions of the second embodiment which are different than the first embodiment are described in greater detail. Likewise, similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the various embodiments. 
     A second preferred embodiment lighted gaming bag  58  is illustrated in FIGS.  5 - 9 . Second embodiment gaming bag  58  is similar to the first embodiment gaming bag in that the second embodiment gaming bag includes top wall  16  and bottom wall  18  arranged in a preferably square shape with orthogonal connections between side walls  22 . The second embodiment gaming bag may also include mounting loops  20  to secure glow sticks  36 . 
     In accordance with another main feature of the invention, lighted gaming bag  58  includes a light emitting source  60  as seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . Light emitting source  60  includes a printed circuit board  62  with a controller IC 1 , a sensor  64 , a diode D 1  and a plurality of resistors R 1  through R 5 . The light emitting source also includes LEDs  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72 . Resistor R 1  is in electrical communication with LED  66  through wire  74 , while resistor R 2  is in electrical communication with LED  68  via wire  76 . In the same manner, LED  70  is in electrical communication with resistor R 3  via wire  78  and LED  72  is in electrical communication with resistor R 4  via wire  80 . Light emitting source  60  includes a battery  82  or other sufficient power source, located intermediate terminal  84  and printed circuit board  62  for providing illumination of LEDs  66 - 72  as seen in  FIG. 7 . Finally, the printed circuit board, or control panel, may include a device which allows the user to select the sequence of LEDs  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72 . In particular, the user may select the LEDs remain steadily on for a given time period, flash at a given interval, blink in a random pattern, or any other suitable sequence, all of which are within the spirit and scope of the prevent invention as claimed. 
     Printed circuit board  62  is preferably arranged within filling material  42  as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . Light emitting source  60  is illustrated as being free floating within the second embodiment gaming bag  58 , however it should be immediately apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that light emitting source  60  may be secured to either top wall  16  or bottom wall  18  with an adhesive or stitches without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. LEDs  66  through  72  are each preferably located proximate side walls  22 . Specifically, the LEDs are located proximate corners  38 . LEDs  66  through  72  may be secured proximate corners  38  with an adhesive  86 . Advantageously, locating the LEDs within the corner ensures that the perimeter of the gaming bag is visible upon impact. In an alternative embodiment, LEDs  66  through  72  are secured within their respective corners  38  with thread  88  as seen in  FIG. 10 . By incorporating thread to secure the LEDs within their respective corners, the LEDs can be secured to either top wall  16  or bottom wall  18  as desired. 
       FIG. 8  is an electrical schematic of the lighted gaming board. Microprocessor IC 1  is preferably a model 12F609 manufactured by Micro-Chip Technologies, Inc. Inputs  1  and  8  are the respective positive and negative inputs to the processor, while outputs  2 ,  3 ,  6  and  7  connect the processor and the respective LEDs. Resistors R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are used to regulate the amount of voltage at the respective LEDs. A diode D 1  acts as a voltage clamp and protects the microprocessor from voltage spikes from the sensor through input  5 . Sensor  64  is preferably a wide range pizo shock sensor manufactured by Measurement Specialists, model number LDTC028K. In an alternative embodiment, sensor  64  may also be a motion sensor. To further protect the processor and the battery, the processor and battery may be contained within a potted cube to provide resistance to shock and vibration. 
     Having described the structure of the second embodiment, a preferred method of operation will be described in greater detail and should be read in light of  FIGS. 5-9 . 
     Second embodiment gaming bag  58  is shown in both a first state  90  and a second state  92  in  FIG. 9 . Second embodiment gaming bag  58  is initially in first state  90  whereby glow sticks  36  have already been snapped to provide illumination  48 , but LEDs  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  are not illuminated. The user then throws the gaming bag in the direction associated with arrow  94  towards gaming board  52 . When second embodiment gaming bag  58  contacts top surface  54 , sensor  64  receives an input of the magnitude of the impact force. Next, sensor  64  transfers the impact force magnitude to processor IC 1 , where a determination is made if the impact force is greater than the required threshold. If the impact force measured is greater than the threshold force, processor IC 1  transmits voltage from battery  82  through resistors R 1  through R 4  to illuminate LEDs as indicated by lines  96 . If the impact face measured is insufficient, then the LEDs remain unlit. The processor may then control whether the LEDs remain illuminated for a predetermined period of time or if the LEDs are programmed to illuminate in an alternating pattern. Finally, processor IC 1  may deactivate LEDs  66  through  72  after the predetermined time has elapsed. In an alternative embodiment, the processor may continue to provide voltage to the LEDs until a second shock is measured at the shock center thereby triggering the processor to deactivate the LEDs. In this alternative arrangement, the LEDs would be activated and deactivated based on alternating impact forces. In another alternative embodiment, the LEDs may be activated by the motion sensor in a first pattern when the player throws the gaming bag. Further, the LEDs may be also be activated in a second pattern different that the first pattern when the gaming bag contacts the gaming board. 
     Having described the structure and operation of two preferred embodiments, only those portions of the third embodiment which are different from the first and second embodiment, are described in greater detail. 
     A third embodiment lighted gaming bag  98  includes a releasably sealed side wall  100 . Top wall  18  preferably includes a hook portion  102 , while bottom wall  18  includes a loop portion  104 . In this arrangement, hook portion  102  and loop portion  104  are releasably sealable to maintain light emitting source  60  and filler material  42  within gaming bag  98 , while still permitting access and replacement of battery  82  (not shown). Although the third embodiment is shown and described without mounting loops or glow sticks, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed to include glow sticks on releasable side wall  100  by either securing the mounting loops to top tall  16  or bottom wall  18 . 
     Thus, the lighted gaming bag provides both a constant source of illumination around the perimeter of the gaming bag and internal illumination selectively activated and deactivated to enhance the player&#39;s experience. Light emitting source  60  may be secured within the gaming bag in a variety of ways, and includes a sensor and a processor to control the operation of the LEDs. 
     Accordingly, the lighted gaming bag is an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device that achieves all the enumerated objectives of the invention, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior art devices, systems, and methods, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
     Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the lighted game bag is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.