Patent Publication Number: US-2013234394-A1

Title: Three-in-one game system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/934,489, filed Nov. 2, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a multi-game system, and more specifically, to a three-in-one game system constructed for use with ladder golf, bean bag toss, and washer toss. 
     Games of skill in which objects are thrown or tossed at targets are a well known form of entertainment. Various games are based on this premise, including games such as beanbag toss, washer toss, and ladder golf (i.e., ladder shoes, ladder ball, etc.). 
     Beanbag toss is a game in which players take turns pitching small bags filled with beans at a raised target with an opening or hole in the far end. The target is generally positioned to have a surface at an incline and the target is relatively small to heighten game challenge. The targets typically measure 4 ft×2 ft and are generally made of wood, although plastic can be a suitable replacement, and the opening is approximately 6 inches in diameter. The beanbags are generally 3″×3″, made with duck cloth, and filled with beans. The players stand about 30 ft from the target and toss beanbags towards the target. 
     Washer toss games typically have two spaced apart scoring boxes that receive tossed washers. The scoring boxes are typically manufactured from wood, metal, plastic and other materials in a square or rectangular form with an open top. A plastic cylinder is placed in the center of the scoring box to receive washers that are tossed. The dimensions of the scoring box can vary, but typically it is approximately 20″×20″×3″. The players stand about 21 ft from the scoring box and toss washers towards the box. 
     Ladder golf involves tossing pairs of tethered balls/beanbags (i.e., a “bola”) at a set of horizontal rungs on a support stand. The balls are usually tethered by a short piece of rope or cord that is 8-12″ in length. The rungs that are used as the target are usually about 24″ across and are positioned at vertical heights of approximately 36″, 24″ and 12″ above the ground. The rungs are supported by vertical columns on either side of the bars that extend upward from a base platform. Players stand about 10 paces from the rungs and toss the bola toward the rungs. 
     While each of these games is well known in the prior art, each of these games has typically included its own separate playing apparatus. That is, each game, beanbag toss, washer toss, and ladder golf, is constructed as a stand-alone game that includes its own base and own components specific to that game. For users desiring to play multiple games in succession, the need to set up and disassemble each individual game can be cumbersome and time consuming. Additionally, the plurality of stand-alone games can be difficult for a single user to transport efficiently and can also consume a large amount of space when being transported in a vehicle or packed away for storage. Thus, it is believed that there is a need for a multi-game system that incorporates the features of beanbag toss, washer toss, and ladder golf into a single apparatus that is easy to use, assemble, and transport. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-game system designed to incorporate the components of a washer toss game, beanbag toss game, and ladder golf game into a single unitary system to allow for flexibility in game play and convenience in transportation and storage of the system. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a three-in-one game system that is configured to be used for ladder golf, bean bag toss, and washers. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a three-in-one game system is disclosed that includes a first base member and a second base member. The three-in-one game system also includes a bag toss game target located on each of the first and second base members and a washer toss game target located on each of the first and second base members. The three-in-one game system further includes at least one ladder golf game target sized to fit within a perimeter of each of the first and second base members. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a multi-game system includes a pair of target boxes with an open top, each target box having a planar surface with a hole formed in the planar surface that is sized to receive a beanbag therethrough. The multi-game system also includes a receptacle attached to each of the planar surfaces and extending out from the planar surface, with the receptacle being sized to receive a washer therein. The multi-game system further includes a tubing structure configured to be stored in the pair of target boxes, wherein each tubing structure further includes a plurality of vertical support rods and a plurality of horizontal rods attached to the plurality of vertical support rods to form a ladder arrangement. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a game kit includes a case having a top section and a bottom section, the top section and bottom section attached to one another by a detachable hinge on one end and a clasp section on another end of each of the top section and bottom sections. The game kit also includes a ladder game having a plurality of bolas and two ladder sections, with each ladder section being storable within the top and bottom sections of the case. The game kit further includes a bag toss game having a plurality of bags, with the top section and bottom sections of the case each forming a base for the bag toss game. 
     Various other features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a three-in-one game system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the three-in-one game system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a case formed by the three-in-one game system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectioned view of the case taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectioned view of the case of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a three-in-one game system that is configured to be used for ladder golf, bean bag toss, and washers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a three-in-one game system  10  (i.e., multi-game system or game kit) is shown. The three-in-one game system  10  includes two identical base members  12 ,  14  (i.e., top and bottom sections) that can be separated from one another to form target boxes for use in game play. Each of the first  12  and second  14  base members is comprised of a base board  16 , which is in the form of a flat, planar surface. A wall  18  extending perpendicularly out from base board  16  (e.g., wall extending 3.5″ up from base board  16 ) runs about the perimeter of the base board. The base board  16  and wall  18  thus form a target box with an open top to allow for game play. The dimensions of the base members  12 ,  14  can vary, but in one embodiment the members measure approximately 2 ft×3 ft. Additionally, any well known material and technique suitable for game construction can be implemented, such as blow molding of the base members  12 ,  14  from a polymer material or constructing the members of wood. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of base members  12 ,  14  is positioned for play with a washer toss game. A washer toss game target  20  is included on each of base members  12 ,  14 . Washer toss game target  20  includes a bottom surface  22  of base member  16  and a cup-shaped receptacle  24  (i.e., hollow cylinder) positioned on base board  16 . The cup  24  extends upward perpendicularly from bottom surface  22  to receive washers  26  that are thrown by a user. In one embodiment, cup  24  is approximately 6″ in diameter and is positioned in proximity to wall  18  on an end of the base member  12 ,  14 . It is also envisioned, however, that cup  24  can be varied in size/shape and positioned at other locations on base board  16 , such as in the center of base board  16 . 
     Cup  24  is preferably formed with a quick-lock mechanism  27  (i.e., twist lock, quick-lock connection) on a bottom portion thereof. Quick-lock mechanism  27  is configured to mate with a cup holder  28  molded into base board  16 . Cup  24  can be quickly added to and removed from base members  12 ,  14  by engaging quick-lock mechanism  27  with cup holder  28  by a simple twisting of cup  24  to lock it into place. Thus, quick-lock mechanism  27  provides for a simple connection and disconnection between cup  24  and base members  12 ,  14  when a user desires to switch the mode of game play or store the three-in-one game system  10 . 
     Base board  16  includes washer retainers  29  (i.e., holders) formed therein on bottom surface  22  to house and store washers  26  when not in use. Washer retainers  29  can be placed adjacent one of the walls  18  at an end of base member  12 ,  14  and washers  26  can be snapped into holders  28  to secure them therein. Also formed into bottom surface  22  of base board  16  is a stand retainer  30  (i.e., groove) formed for securing a rotatable base stand  32  (i.e., support stand, foldable base stand). That is, rotatable base stand  32  fits into groove  30  such that rotatable base stand  32  is flush with bottom surface  22  when secured therein. Fitting of rotatable base stand  32  into groove  30  in such a manner prevents rotatable base stand  32  from interfering with washers tossed by a user during game play. As will be explained in greater detail below, rotatable base stand  32  allows for transformation of the three-in-one game system  10  from a washer toss game to a bag toss game. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , three-in-one game system  10  can be transformed into a ladder golf game by adding a ladder golf game target  34  (i.e., ladder ball frame) to one or both of the base members  12 ,  14  or as a stand-alone target. Ladder golf game target  34  is formed as a tubing structure that is comprised of a pair of vertical support rods  36  and a plurality of horizontal rods or bars  38 . The horizontal rods  38  are positioned between vertical support rods  36  and are connected thereto to form a ladder arrangement that comprises the ladder golf game target  34 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , three horizontal rods  38  are included in the ladder golf game target  34 , however, it is also envisioned that a greater or lesser number of horizontal rods  38  could also be attached. In one embodiment, vertical support rods  36  and horizontal rods  38  are formed from extruded plastic tubing (e.g., PVC tubing) to form rods of approximately 1″ in diameter; however, different materials and dimensions can be used for forming the horizontal rods. Horizontal rods  38  snap onto connections  39  formed on vertical support rods  36 . Horizontal rods  38  are spaced apart along vertical support rods  36  to allow for bolas  42  (i.e., bean bags  52  attached by a clip tether  43 ) that are thrown by a user to wrap around the horizontal bars  38 . 
     Ladder golf game target  34  can be connected to base members  12 ,  14  by way of rod supports  44  (i.e., stanchions). The ladder golf game target  34  can be attached to and removed from base members  12 ,  14  by sliding vertical support rods  36  into and out of rod supports  44  as desired to allow for use of the three-in-one game system  10  as a ladder golf game, or alternatively, as a beanbag toss or washer toss game. It is also envisioned that ladder golf frame  34  can be positioned separate from base members  12 ,  14  by connecting a foot member  40  to the bottom of each vertical support rod  36 . Foot members  40  are configured to support ladder golf frame  34  in a vertical, standing position separate from base frames  12 ,  14 . Regardless of whether ladder golf frame  34  is supported by rod supports  44  or foot members  40 , the vertical support rods  36  and horizontal rods  38  of ladder golf game target  34  have a height and width such that, when the ladder golf game target  34  is detached from base members  12 ,  14 , ladder golf game target  34  can be laid flat and placed within the perimeter walls  18  of base members  12 ,  14  for easy storage. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , one of base member  12 ,  14  is shown as oriented for use with a bag toss game. When a user desires to play a bean bag toss game on three-in-one game system  10 , base members  12 ,  14  are turned over to the side opposed from the washer toss game target  20  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and foldable base stand  32  attached to base member  12 ,  14  is rotated out from within the target box area to extend out from base member  12 ,  14 . Foldable base stand  32  is rotatably attached to base member  12 ,  14  in any manner known in the art that allows the stand to rotate freely relative to the base members. The foldable base stand  32  positions the base board  16  of base member  12 ,  14  at an angle relative to a support surface on which three-in-one game system  10  is placed (e.g., grass or concrete ground surface) when rotated out therefrom. The rotatable base stand  32  can be adjusted by a user to form a desired tilt angle between the base members  12 ,  14  and the support surface. In one embodiment, the rotatable base stand  32  allows for a maximum angle of 11 degrees between the base member  12 ,  14  and the support surface, although it is envisioned that a greater maximum angle could also be attainable based on the size of rotatable base stand  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a hole or opening  46  is formed in base board  16  of base support  12 ,  14 . Opening  46 , along with a top surface  48  of base board  16 , forms a bag toss game target  50 . The opening  46  is formed and sized such that a beanbag  52  tossed by a user can fit through the opening  46 . In one embodiment, the opening  46  is a circular hole having a diameter of approximately 6″, although other sizes and shapes for the opening  46  are also envisioned (e.g., square opening). In one embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , opening  46  is aligned with cup  24  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to form a hollow cylinder that passes through base board  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , three-in-one game system  10  is shown as a one-piece case  53  that is formed when base members  12 ,  14  are connected. One-piece case  53  allows for easy storage and transport of three-in-one game system  10  when it is not in use. As a way to store game components (i.e., washers  26 , bolas  42 , and beanbags  52 ), a zipper pouch  62  can be affixed to an outer surface  64  of one-piece case  53 . Zipper pouch  62  can thus be used to store the individual components of the three-in-one game  10  when game-play is finished to reduce the number of loose components in three-in-one game system  10  when assembled for storage. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a handle  66  affixed to at least one of the base members  12 ,  14 . The handle  66  is attached to a side wall  56  of base member  12 ,  14  and is fastened to base member  12 ,  14  so as to allow for pivoting of the handle  66  relative to the base members. After securing the first  12  and second  14  base members to one another by way of latch mechanism  54  to form the one-piece carrying case  53 , the three-in-one game system  10  can be easily transported by a user by way of handle  66 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , base members  12 ,  14  are shown in cross-section as taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . Base members  12 ,  14  are latched together to form one-piece case  53 . Each base member  12 ,  14  includes a latch mechanism  54  thereon. Latch mechanisms  54  are attached on side walls  56  of base members  12 ,  14 . In one embodiment, latch mechanism  54  comprises a detachable hinge  58  (e.g., flexible plastic clip) attached to first base member  12  to secure second base member  14  by snap fitting into a clasp  60  (e.g., molded snap receptacle) formed on second base member  14 . Both side walls  56  of the base members  12 ,  14  include such a detachable hinge  58  or clasp  60  to form a secure connection between first and second base members  12 ,  14 . Thus, by securing the latch mechanisms  54  of base members  12 ,  14 , the first  12  and second  14  base members of three-in-one game system  10  connect to form a one-piece carrying case  53 . 
     As shown in the side cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5 , to retain game pieces within one-piece carrying case  53  formed by latching first  12  and second  14  base members together, openings  46  formed in the base members  12 ,  14  can be closed off to a remaining interior volume of the three-in-one game system  10 . That is, when cup  24  is aligned with opening  46 , the latched first  12  and second  14  base members effectively seal an interior volume contained therein. Cups  24  extend from the base board  16  of one of the base members  12 ,  14  over to the base board  16  of the other base member  12 ,  14  when the base members are latched together by latch mechanisms  54 . Thus, washers  26 , bean bags  52 , and clip tethers  43  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) are securely contained within one-piece carrying case  53  formed by latched first  12  and second  14  base members when three-in-one game system  10  is to be stored and transported. 
     Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a three-in-one game system is disclosed that includes a first base member and a second base member. The three-in-one game system also includes a bag toss game target located on each of the first and second base members and a washer toss game target located on each of the first and second base members. The three-in-one game system further includes at least one ladder golf game target sized to fit within a perimeter of each of the first and second base members. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a multi-game system includes a pair of target boxes with an open top, each target box having a planar surface with a hole formed in the planar surface that is sized to receive a beanbag therethrough. The multi-game system also includes a receptacle attached to each of the planar surfaces and extending out from the planar surface, with the receptacle being sized to receive a washer therein. The multi-game system further includes a tubing structure configured to be stored in the pair of target boxes, wherein each tubing structure further includes a plurality of vertical support rods and a plurality of horizontal rods attached to the plurality of vertical support rods to form a ladder arrangement. 
     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a game kit includes a case having a top section and a bottom section, the top section and bottom section attached to one another by a detachable hinge on one end and a clasp section on another end of each of the top section and bottom sections. The game kit also includes a ladder game having a plurality of bolas and two ladder sections, with each ladder section being storable within the top and bottom sections of the case. The game kit further includes a bag toss game having a plurality of bags, with the top section and bottom sections of the case each forming a base for the bag toss game. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.