Abstract:
The present invention relates to a game system that can be used in or out of the water, it can be constructed in two ways 
     Multiple floatation strips with a slit where you insert a playing surface comprised of a substantially-flat central surface, the four floatation strips are secured to the flat-surface. The scoring table is constructed in the same manner. 
     Preferred option has two pieces of foam, solid bottom base, top base with cut outs for drink holders, scoring devices, game piece holder and dice holder. The top piece has adhesive on bottom side securely affixed to the solid bottom base of foam. In the cut out area or dice rolling area, a piece of foam can be inserted to play other games 
     The scoring device is comprised of flexible, sturdy plastic with beads strung onto the plastic wire allowing the beads to move from side to side.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices utilized for games and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods, systems, and devices that allow such games to be played in a body of water such as, for example, a swimming pool, hot tub or lake in addition the present invention may also be placed on a table top. 
         [0003]    2. History of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Various types of games tables for playing card and board games such as checkers, chess, dominoes, etc. are generally well-known. These game tables typically include a flat surface upon which a game is played. A bottom surface typically has a plurality of legs attached thereto to raise and stabilize the table. Game tables are used to play many different types of social games. 
         [0005]    One popular game is commonly known as “Bunco or Bunko”. Bunco is a social dice game involving simple scoring and a simple set of rules. A game of Bunco typically includes several tables with one table being designated as the “head table”. A game of Bunco may have varying rules or guidelines depending on how the group chooses to play. 
       Set Up— 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             12 players (more or less, in multiples of 4) 
             3 Tables, 1 table per 4 people (tables are designated: Head Table, Table Two, and Table Three etc . . . ) 
             9 dice, 3 floating dice per table 
             1 Bell˜placed at Head Table 
           
         
       
     
       Basic Play/Keeping Score 
       [0010]    Bunco is played by rolling dice, keeping score and table traveling. There are six rounds per set of play. Each set is made up of a round of 1-6. Play is accomplished using all three dice at the same time. A player at each table begins rolling the dice. During round 1, the goal is to roll ones (round 2—roll twos, etc.). Play continues through rounds 1-6, repeating for a total of 4 sets. At the end of the 4th set all players calculate their scores and prizes are awarded. 
       Head Table: 
       [0011]    The bell is rung from the Head Table to signal the beginning of a round. All tables roll at the same time. The person sitting across from you is your partner for that round; there are two teams per table. The first team at the Head Table to reach a score of 21 wins the round and the bell is rung signaling the end of the round. The other two tables may have higher scores (depending on the rolling). The winners at the HEAD TABLE remain partners and the losing team goes down to table 3. The winners from the other teams move up a table. Only the HEAD TABLE keeps the same partner. All other tables switch partners. 
       BUNCOs: 
       [0012]    A BUNCO is when any player rolls all 3 dice in the number of that round (round 1-3 ones). Each time a player rolls a BUNCO, they call out “BUNCO” and they get to keep the Traveler (this set doesn&#39;t include a traveler, but try using a rubber ducky) until someone else calls “BUNCO” and then the player carefully tosses it to the next player. The player who rolled a BUNCO uses either the silly bands or finger bands placing on the appropriate wrist/finger to keep track of total “BUNCOs”. Each player must keep track of the number of BUNCOs rolled the player with the most Bunco&#39;s at the end of the game wins the MOST BUNCO prize. The person holding the Traveler at the end of the game wins the Traveler Prize (if you play this version the traveler is just an option). 
       Variation: 
       [0013]    BUNCOs worth 21 points, if at the Head Table the round is over. Some groups only count a BUNCO as 5 points, it&#39;s your choice. Things move much faster if you count a BUNCO as 21! 
         [0014]    Baby or Mini BUNCO (optional): Each time a player rolls three of any number other than that of the round they get a Baby or Mini BUNCO. It is worth 5 points, some groups keep track of the number of Baby or Mini BUNCO&#39;S the player would put a silly band on their ankle or a finger band on their pinky. If you track the Baby or Minnie Bunco&#39;s than whoever has the most wins that prize at the end of the game. 
         [0000]    Keeping Score with Pool Bunco—
   The top beads represent 5&#39;s and the bottom beads represent 1&#39;s. As your team rolls you keep track of your total score by sliding the appropriate beads across. If you are at the Head table you play to 21 all other tables play until the Head table rings the bell.   
 
       Keeping Track of WINs and BUNCOs— 
       [0000]    
       
         Use the silly bands provided to keep track of your wins and buncos—Ex.—if you roll a bunco place a silly band on your left wrist or finger band on one hand, if you win put a silly band or finger band on the right wrist or finger and if your group keeps track of “mini” buncos you can slip a silly band on your ankle or finger band on your pinky. 
         At the end of the night, count the total of silly bands or finger bands to determine— 
         Most Wins 
         Most Buncos 
         Mini Buncos 
         Biggest Loser 
         Bunco clubs have recently become popular wherein members of the Bunco club take turns serving as host of a Bunco party. The host typically provides tables to set up the game as well as snacks and refreshments. Often times, the host will plan a theme for the Bunco party. Thus, it may be desirable for the host to plan a pool-themed Bunco party where participants may play while in a body of water such as, for example, a pool, a hot tub, or a lake. 
       
     
         [0023]    Games adapted for play in a body of water have been discussed in patent applications such as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0265510 to Howland. This application discloses a floating game table. The floating game table includes a main body member designed to float on water. The main body member is made from at least one of a rigid or inflatable material. An upper surface is disposed above the main body member. A game is played on the upper surface. 
         [0024]    In addition, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0007727 to Romney disclosed a poke pad. The poker pad may be used on both land and water. The poker pad includes a base member that has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface has a slightly sloped central inner playing area for poker or card play. One or more drainage scuppers are defined in the upper surface. The drainage scuppers keep water from collecting on the central inner playing surface. Openings for receiving beverages and playing chips are also included in the upper surface. The poker pad may be placed on a patio tables for use on land. 
         [0025]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0173123 to Roig discloses a floating amphibious game table that may be used on both land and water. The game table includes a base member with an upper surface and a lower surface. Openings sized to receive beverage containers are formed in the upper surface. Openings sized to receive a plurality of legs are formed in the lower surface. The plurality of legs allows the game table to be used on land. The game table floats to allow use on water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0026]    The present invention relates generally to methods, systems, and devices utilized for games. In one aspect the present invention relates to a game system. The game system may be constructed in one of two ways— 
         [0027]    First design—The game system includes at least one first floatation strip, at least one second floatation strip, and a slit formed along a length of the at least one first floatation strip and the at least one second floatation strip. The game system further includes a playing table. The playing table includes a substantially-flat central surface and the at least one first floatation strip disposed there around. The game system further includes a scoring table. The scoring table includes a second central surface and at least one second floatation strip disposed around the second central surface. A plurality of axle members are arranged across the second central surface and a plurality of scoring indicia disposed about each axle member of the plurality of axle members. 
         [0028]    Second design—The game system is comprised of two pieces of foam like but not limited to cross-linked polyethylene foam with a solid bottom base and a top base with cut outs for the drink holders, scoring devices, game piece holder and dice holder. The top piece has adhesive on the bottom side that allows it to be securely affixed to the solid bottom base of foam. In the cut out area or dice rolling area, a piece of foam can be inserted to play other games bringing the table surface higher, to play games such as checkers or cards. 
         [0029]    The scoring device is comprised of a flexible, but sturdy plastic like but not limited to “weed eater wire”, this allows the scoring device to be strong, flexible and safe, and to complete the scoring device plastic beads are strung onto the plastic wire allowing the beads to move from side to side. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    A more complete understanding of the method and system of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a game system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2A  is an end view of a floatation strip according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of a floatation strip according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of a playing table according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a playing table according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a scoring table according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a scoring table according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a gaming system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment with a flat weight to stabilize the bottom 
           [0042]      FIG. 6D  is another possible side view of beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment with a weight attached to the bottom to stabilize the drink holder 
           [0043]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7B  is a top view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 7C  is a bottom view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0046]    Appendices A and B are additional photographic views of the beverage holder of  FIG. 6A   
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is a photographic view of the second variation showing the base and the top adhered together make a floatation game system. 
           [0048]      FIG. 9  is a drawing of the outline dimensions of the second variation floatation gaming system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0049]    Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a game system according to an exemplary embodiment. A game system  10  includes a playing table  12  and a scoring table  14 . The playing table  12  includes floatation strips  16  disposed around a substantially-flat central surface  18 . The scoring table  14  includes floatation strips  15  disposed around a second central surface  22 . In a typical embodiment, the game system  10  allows at least one user to play a game while in a body of water such as, for example, a swimming pool, hot tub or lake. 
         [0051]      FIG. 2A  is an end view of a floatation strip according to an exemplary embodiment. Each floatation strip  16  is generally cylindrical in shape. A slit  24  is formed along a length of each floatation strip  16  in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis  25  (shown in  FIG. 2B ).  FIG. 2B  is a side view of a floatation strip according to an exemplary embodiment. Each floatation strip  16  includes a mitered end  26 . In a typical embodiment, the mitered end  26  is formed at approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to the longitudinal axis  25  of each floatation strip  16 . In a typical embodiment, the floatation strip  16  are not inflatable and are constructed of a non-inflatable material such as, for example, lightweight foam. Such an arrangement reduces a risk of puncture and improves durability of the floatation strips  16 . In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  15  are of similar construction as the floatation strips  16 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of a playing table according to an exemplary embodiment. The playing table  12  includes the floatation strips  16  disposed around the substantially-flat central surface  18 . For example, the in embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B , the playing table  12  includes four floatation strips  16  disposed around the substantially-flat central surface  18 ; however, in various alternative embodiments, the substantially-flat central surface  18  may be any appropriate shape and any number of the floatation strips  16  could be utilized. The substantially-flat central surface  18  includes edge regions  20 . Each edge region  20  has one of the floatation strips  16  associated therewith. Each edge region  20  is received into the slit  24  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) of the corresponding floatation strip  16 . The mitered ends  26  of the each floatation strip  16  abut each other thus forming a border  30  (shown in  FIG. 3B ) around the substantially-flat central surface  18 . In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  16  impart a high degree of buoyancy to the substantially-flat central surface  18  thus causing the substantially-flat central surface  18  to float on a surface of a body of water in a stable fashion. 
         [0053]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a playing table according to an exemplary embodiment. In a typical embodiment, the border  30 , in combination with the substantially-flat central surface  18 , creates an area suitable for the use of various game pieces such as, for example, dice, playing cards, chips, tokens, and the like. The border  30  confines the game pieces to the substantially-flat central surface  18  and prevents the game pieces from falling off the edge regions  20 . (shown  FIG. 3A ). In various embodiments, game pieces such as, for example, floating dice, waterproof playing cards, and the like may be utilized with the playing table  12  to facilitate enjoyment of a game in water. In various embodiments, the playing table  12  includes a cover  28  disposed on the substantially-flat central surface  18 . In a typical embodiment, the cover  28  is formed of a generally waterproof material such as, for example, foam or lightweight plastic; however, in various alternative embodiments, other materials could be utilitzed. In various embodiments, the cover  28  includes markings for a board game such as, for example, checkers, chess, backgammon, and the like. In various embodiments, the cover  28  is reversible with markings for a first board game printed on a first side and markings for a second board game printed on a second side. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a scoring table according to an exemplary embodiment. The scoring table  14  includes the floatation strips  15  disposed around the second central surface  22 . In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  15  are of similar construction as the floatation strips  16  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B . A plurality of axle members  32  are disposed across the second central surface  22 . The plurality of axle members  32  are connected at respective ends to oppositely-disposed floatation strips  15 . Scoring indicia  34  are disposed about the plurality of axle members  32 . In a typical embodiment, the scoring indicia  34  may be, for example, beads, foam balls, or the like. The scoring indicia  34  are movable between opposite ends of the plurality of axle members  32 . Thus, by positioning the scoring indicia  34  at various locations along the plurality of axle members  32 , a user is able to accurately score a game being played. In various embodiments, the plurality of axle members  32  may be utilized to store various small prizes or game pieces examples, bracelets, necklaces, and the like. In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  15  impart a high degree of buoyancy to the second central surface  22  thus causing the second central surface  22  to float on a surface of a body of water in a stable fashion. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a scoring table according to an exemplary embodiment. In a typical embodiment, a scoring table  140  is of similar construction to the scoring table  14  and includes the floatation strips  15  surrounding the second central surface  22 . However, the scoring table  140  does not include the plurality of axle members  32  (shown in  FIG. 4A ). In a typical embodiment, a user may record a score of a game being played by writing on a second central surface  22  with an instrument such as, for example, a grease pen or other writing device. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a gaming system according to an exemplary embodiment. A game system  50  includes a playing table  52  and a scoring table  54 . In a typical embodiment the game system  50  is of similar construction to the game system  10 . The game system  50  includes at least one beverage holder  56  removably attached to the playing table  52  by a fastener  62 . In a typical embodiment, the fastener  62  may be, for example, a snap, a button, a hook-and-pile fastener, or the like. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6A  is a top view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment. The beverage holder  56  includes a foam ring  58 , a sleeve  64  and a weight  66 . The foam ring  58  is attached around the circumference of the sleeve  64 . In a typical embodiment, the sleeve  64  is a sized to fit securely around a beverage container such as, for example, a cup, a bottle, or a can. The weight  66  is disposed in a bottom region of the sleeve  66 . In an exemplary embodiment, the weight  66  is constructed of a metallic material; however, in various alternative embodiments, other materials such as, for example, dense plastic could be used. In a typical embodiment, the weight  66  imparts stability to the beverage holder  56  thereby substantially reducing the possibility that the beverage containers may tip and/or spill. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the weight  66  is disposed in an interior portion of the sleeve  64 ; however, in various alternative embodiments.  FIG. 6C  is a cross-sectional view of the beverage holder of  FIG. 6A . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment. A beverage holder  68  includes the foam ring  58 , the sleeve  64 , and a weight  70 . The weight  70  is suspended from a bottom region of the sleeve  64 . In an exemplary embodiment, the weight  70  is constructed of a metallic material; however, in various alternative embodiments, other materials such as, for example, dense plastic could be used. In a typical embodiment, the weight  70  imparts stability to the beverage holder  68  thereby substantially reducing the possibility that the beverage container may tip and/or spill. 
         [0059]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7B  is a top view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7C  is a bottom view of a beverage holder according to an exemplary embodiment. A beverage holder  80  includes a flat surface  82  (shown in  FIG. 7B ) surrounded by floatation strips  84 . In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  84 , In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  84  are of similar construction to the floatation strips  15  and  16  discussed hereinabove. A foam ring  86  is secured to the flat surface  82  between the floatation strips  84 . In a typical embodiment, the foam ring  86  is sized to fit securely around a beverage container such as, for example, a cup, a bottle, or a can. The foam ring  86  contacts each of the floatation strips  84 . The floatation strips  84  impart additionally stability to the foam ring  86 . In a typical embodiment, the floatation strips  84  impart a high degree of buoyancy to the flat surface  82  and the foam ring  86  thus causing the beverage holder  80  to float on a surface of a body of water in a stable fashion. 
         [0060]    Appendices A and B are additional photographic views of the beverage holder of  FIG. 6A . Appendices A and B show the beverage holder  56  in use. 
         [0061]    Although various embodiments of the method and system of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein. For example, the playing table  12  has been described herein as being used in conjunction the playing of a game; however, in various embodiments the playing table  12  may be used for purposes such as, for example, holding snacks, beverages, and other food items while in a pool, hot tub or lake. The embodiments discussed herein are exemplary only. 
         [0062]      FIG. 8  is a photographic view of the second way of constructing the floating game system. This photograph shows the top and the base made out of cross-link foam, but should not be limited to cross-linked polyethylene foam adhered together to complete a floatation gaming table. The four circular holes indicate the area to place a beverage in a cup, bottle or can. The dice holder with 15/16× 15/16 cut outs, but it shouldn&#39;t be limited to these dimension as it may vary depending on the size of dice to be utilized, these cut outs keep the dice securely in place when the dice are not in use. The items marked scoring device show the plastic wire with the beads that will slide from side to side in order to keep score. The game pieces holder is an open rectangle area that allows you to place as example bracelets, finger bands, but should not be limited to these items to keep track of wins and buncos. 
         [0063]      FIG. 9  is a drawing of the second design for the floating game system, showing the base and top with the cut outs for the drink holders, dice holders, scoring device slots and open rectangle are to store the various game pieces.