Abstract:
A magnetic dart game comprises a magnetic target having a graphical representation of a plurality of fish and at least one magnetic dart. A player playing the game attempts to catch said plurality of fish by hitting the fish with the magnetic dart.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/809,434 filed May 30, 2006 titled Magnetic Fishing Dart Game, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to magnetic dart games and, more particularly, to magnetic dart games that simulate sporting events and outdoor activities. 
   In the conventional game of darts, darts are thrown at a target that is divided into sectors. Each sector is associated with a value that is added to a player&#39;s score if the player hits that sector. The players throw darts in turns and keep a cumulative score. The first player to reach a predetermined score, or the player with the highest score after a predetermined number of turns, wins the game. 
   While the game of darts is a popular pastime, game play can become monotonous. In order to provide more interest and more variety in game play, the present invention provides a magnetic dart game and method of playing the same to simulate various sports and outdoor activities. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention provides a magnetic dart game and method of playing a magnetic dart game to simulate the sport of fishing. The magnetic dart game comprises a magnetic target having a pictorial representation of a plurality of fish. A player playing the game attempts to catch the fish by hitting the fish with a magnetic dart thrown from an agreed upon position. 
   In one embodiment, the target further includes a graphical representation of bait. Hitting the bait with a dart “baits the hook” and entitles the player to catch a fish. The player must “bait the hook” before being entitled to catch a fish. The fish may include sweet spots that, if hit by a player, entitles the player to catch the next fish without first hitting the bait. 
   In one embodiment the target further includes a graphical representation of a predator. Hitting the predator causes a player to lose the bait and/or the last fish that was caught by the player. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a magnetic dart game according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a magnetic target for simulating a round of golf. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, the present invention comprises magnetic dart game  10  including a target  12  and a plurality of magnetic darts  20 . The target  12  comprises a flexible magnetic mat  14  having an image of a playing field, court, track, or course printed thereon. The precise nature of the image will depend upon the sport that is simulated. The mat  14  may have a fabric covering (not shown) if desired. The mat  14  may be attached along one edge to a scroll  16  so that the mat  14  can be rolled around the scroll  16  for storage or shipment. A cord or string  18  may be attached at each end to the scroll  16  for hanging the target  12 . 
   Each player is provided with three darts  20 , though a different number could also be used. The darts  20  for each player are preferably a different color, or have some other distinguishing characteristic. Each dart  20  comprises a shaft  22  with a magnetic tip  24  at one end and fins  26  at the opposite end. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the target  12  for simulating the sport of fishing. The target  12  includes a water line printed thereon to simulate a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or river. The target  12  includes images of bait  30  and a plurality of aquatic creatures aquatic creatures  32 ,  34  surrounding the bait  30 . The precise nature of the images will depend upon the type of aquatic creatures  32 ,  34  and/or bait  30  that is simulated. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the aquatic creatures comprise various fish  32  and sharks  34  or other predators, while the bait  30  comprises a bucket of shrimp. However, other types of aquatic creatures  32 ,  34  and/or bait  30  may be printed on the target  12  in addition to or in lieu of those seen in  FIG. 2 . Each fish  32  includes a sweet spot  36 , which in this embodiment is a one-inch red circle printed on the fish. Each sweet spot  36  further includes a number. 
   Players take turns trying to catch each fish  32  in sequence. The players throw three darts  20  during each turn. For each fish  32 , the player must first hit the bait  30  with a dart to “bait  30  the hook,” and then attempt to hit a fish  32 . In one variation, different types of bait  30  may be provided for different types of fish  32 . A fish  32  may be considered to be hit (caught) when half of a dart is on the fish  32 . If a player hits the sweet spot  36  while attempting to catch that fish  32 , the player does not have to hit the bait  30  to catch the next fish  32 . The first player to catch all the fish  32  printed on the mat wins the game. 
   Players do not try to hit a shark  34  with their darts. If a player hits a shark  34 , that player is penalized by losing the bait  30  off his hook and his last fish  32  caught. By way of example, if a player hits a shark  34  while attempting to catch his fourth fish  32 , that player loses his bait  30  and his third fish  32  caught. Likewise, if a player hits a shark  34  while attempting to hit the bait  30  to bait  30  the hook to catch the fourth fish  32 , that player loses his third fish  32  caught as well as the bait  30  used to catch the third fish  32 . In either case, that player must once again hit the bait  30  and catch the third fish  32 . However, if a player hits a shark  34  immediately after hitting the sweet spot  36  on a given fish  32 , that player loses only the last fish  32  caught. 
   Many variation of the game are possible. For example, the fish  32  can be assigned values and that are added to accumulate a score. The values may correspond, for example, to the weight of the fish  32 . In this embodiment, a fish  32  cannot be caught more than once. The player that accumulates the highest accumulated score after a predetermined number of throws wins. 
   The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.