Patent Publication Number: US-10328323-B2

Title: Projectile and target game

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/723,256 filed Oct. 3, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/403,762 filed Oct. 4, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to games, in particular, to games using projectiles and targets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lawn games are a popular pastime for many and have increased in popularity over the past decade. Lawn games can include traditional offerings, such as horseshoes or croquet. More recent lawn games include cornhole, a bean bag toss game, and ladderball, a game where two balls connected by a string are tossed at a ladder-like target. Bowling has been a popular indoor sport for many years, however, it requires a precision built facility even for casual play. Indoor bowling requires, at a minimum, a flat wooden surface of a particular width and length, a particular number of bowling pins setup in a prescribed pattern and bowling balls within certain size and weight constraints. Because bowling requires the use of a flat wooden surface and the accurate placement of the bowling pins prior to play, the game of bowling has not translated well into a lawn game. 
     While lawn games that mimic bowling do exist in the prior art, all of these prior art games have significant drawbacks, reducing their appeal to many. First off, lawn games are not played on perfectly flat or level surfaces, unlike the flat surface of an indoor bowling alley. Uneven ground or grass can make it difficult to set up the bowling pins in a precise pattern and make it nearly impossible to set up the bowling pins substantially normal to the horizontal plane. The uneven ground or grass also have an effect on the path of a bowling ball when rolled, causing the bowling ball to roll along inconsistent and unpredictable paths. Also, where indoor bowling alleys use automated bowling pin resetting machines, in the existing prior art lawn bowling games, the players are expected to manually reset the bowling pins which is a tedious process. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a lawn game that has the appeal of indoor bowling, while being practical and enjoyable to play outdoors. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a lawn game that calls to mind aspects of bowling. It is also an object of this invention to provide a method of using the lawn game of the present invention to maximize player enjoyment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a projectile and target lawn game that calls to mind some aspects of bowling. In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention as described in detain herein, the present invention uses a target, comprised in part by a flat surface that is substantially parallel to the ground and raised slightly off the ground. The flat surface has a multitude of magnets embedded in its surface, each corresponding to a location where a bowling pin is to be set. The bowling pins have magnets near their base, with their poles oriented to create an attraction to the magnets embedded in the flat surface. 
     The projectile used in the present invention is a soft sided object that is lobbed at the target rather than rolled, as in a standard game of bowling. The projectile is preferably a beanbag, however, it is appreciated that many different types of projectiles could be suitable. 
     The present invention also provides a method of using the aforementioned lawn game. The preferred method of using the first exemplary embodiment of the invention involves using an arrangement of ten bowling pins standing on the flat surface in a triangular pattern, where the magnet at the base of each pin is attracted to a magnet embedded in the flat surface. The game requires at least one player, but many more can play in a single game. The game is played for ten rounds or frames, although the number of rounds may be adjusted to suit the number of players and amount of time available for play. The bowling pins are set upright in the triangular pattern for each player in each round and each player has three beanbags to toss at the standing bowling pins. The player&#39;s score is equal to the number of pins that are knocked down after tossing three beanbags. If the pins are knocked down with fewer than three beanbags, the player receives an increase in their score in a future round, similar to the rules of bowling. 
     The embodiments presented in this application are optimized for a projectile and target lawn game that calls the sport of bowling to mind, however, it is appreciated that the invention can be altered to call to mind other sports, activities or a story within the inventive concept expressed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention being used by a first player. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention with the pins set up on the board. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the game board with the pins set up. 
         FIG. 5  is front elevation view of a first embodiment of the game board with the pins set up. 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the game board with the pins set up. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a first embodiment of the game board. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the game board with the game components packed for transport. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a first embodiment of the game board with the game components removed. 
         FIG. 10  is a side sectioned view of a portion of a first embodiment of the game board. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of a first embodiment of the scoreboard. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a first embodiment of a pin. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of a first embodiment of a pin. 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded side view of a first embodiment of a pin. 
         FIG. 15  is a side sectioned view of the lower endcap of the first embodiment of a pin. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a first embodiment of a pin with dashed lines showing hidden features of the pin. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a second embodiment of a pin with dashed lines showing hidden features of the pin. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto. 
     Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like part numbers refer to like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , a projectile and target game  10  (hereinafter, the “game”) in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The game comprises a target portion  11 , a number of projectiles  12 , a foul line  13  marked on either end with a flag  16 , a scoreboard  14  and one or more player  15 . The target portion  11  is further comprised of game board  20  and a plurality of pins  30 . The pins  30  can also be referred to as targets as they are the objects that a player attempts to knock over using the projectiles. The target portion of the first embodiment of the present invention calls to mind the appearance of bowling pins set up on a bowling alley, but it is appreciated that many variations would be within the inventive concept of the present invention. The target portion could be designed to call to mind various sports, including but not limited to, different versions of the game of bowling, baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, lacrosse or field hockey. The target portion could also be designed using a non-sports theme, including but not limited to, characters from a book, characters from a show, characters from a movie, characters from a comic, characters from a game, characters from another source, recognizable objects or buildings from fictional works or recognizable objects or buildings from one or more location. In some embodiments, the foul line  13  is adjustable in distance relative to the game board  20 . Changing the distance of the foul line  13  relative to the game board  20  can change the difficulty of the game  10 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the game  10  is shown with its components spread out, prior to being set up for play. The top of the game board  20  can be seen in this view, including marks  21  indicating the location where each pin  30  should be placed. The pins  30  and game board  20  are magnetized so that the base of the pins  30  are attracted to the game board  20  at the location of the marks  21 . In the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is a personalization area  17  on the game board  20 . In the drawings, three triangles are shown in the personalization area  17 , however, it is appreciated that there are an infinite number of images that could be reproduced on this area of the game board  20 . Although the personalization area  17  refers to personalization, this area could be personalized for a single consumer or for multiple consumers using the same image. Images that could be printed or otherwise fixed to the personalization area  17  include but are not limited to, sports team names and/or logos, school names and/or logos, company names and/or logos, photographs and other artistic works. In  FIG. 3 , the pins  30  have been setup for play on the game board  20 . 
     The personalization area  17 , in some embodiments, is oriented towards the user during play. The personalization area  17  can also be referred to as the proximate area of the game board  20  based on its position relative to the user during play. The end of the game board  20  opposite the proximate area in the elongate direction can be referred to as the distal area of the game board  20 . In some embodiments, the game board  20  further comprises a perimeter defined by an edge face, where the edge face comprises a surface that is substantially normal to the planar upper surface of the game board  20 . In some embodiments, a proximate end of the game board  20  oriented towards the user further comprises an edge face that comprises a surface that is normal to the planar upper surface. In some embodiments, a proximate portion of the game board  20  further comprises a perimeter defined by an edge face, wherein the edge face further comprises a substantially planar surface that is substantially normal to the planar upper surface and substantially parallel to a foul line positioned between the edge face and the user. The edge faces described herein refer to the edges of the game board  20  oriented in a lateral direction relative to the planar upper surface, the edges which are visible in  FIGS. 4-7 . The edge faces are shown as substantially normal to the planar upper surface of the game board  20  in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, however, the orientation of the edge faces relative to the planar upper surface can be modified within the inventive concept to change the reaction between the projectile  12  and the game board  20 . 
       FIGS. 4-6  show the target portion  11  of the game  10  with the pins  30  set up on the game board  20 . In the first embodiment of the invention, the target portion  11  of the game  10  is designed to call to mind the game of candlepin pin bowling. Similar to candlepin bowling, the first embodiment uses ten pins  30  setup for play in a triangular pattern, with a point of the triangle oriented towards the player  15 . In the first embodiment, the pins  30  are arranged in rows of increasing quantity moving away from the player  15 . The first row has one pin  30 , the second row has two pins  30 , the third row has three pins  30  and the fourth row has four pins  30 , for a total of ten pins. While the first embodiment of the game  10  uses ten pins arranged in the aforementioned configuration, it is appreciated that the number of pins may be increased or decreased and the configuration of the pins may be changed within the inventive concept described herein. It would be possible to play the game  10  with as few as a single pin  30 . A single pin  30  version of the game  10  could be desirable for a youth focused game where a child may have difficulty knocking down a plurality of pins  30 . It would also be possible to play this game  10  with any number of pins  30  greater than one, to progressively make it more difficult to knock over all of the pins using a single projectile  12 . The diameter and height of the pins  30  in the first embodiment are optimized for use in on a game board  20  with ten pins  30 . Depending on the number of pins  30  used in a particular embodiment, the diameter and height of the pins  30  may be modified to optimize the game. The diameter and height of the pins  30  may also be modified depending on the intended distance between the player  15  and the front edge of the game board  20  and the intended difficulty of the game  10 . 
     Many different types of projectiles  12  are appropriate for use in the game  10 , including but not limited to, beanbags, spherical objects, elongated objects, objects with a rigid surface, objects with a soft surface, objects with a medium density surface, objects of various shapes, objects with protrusions or any other object that is capable of being tossed or thrown at the pins  30 . The projectiles  12  are preferably beanbags or another flexible enclosure with a granular fill because they have enough mass to knock over the pins, are easy to throw and do not roll. The beanbags can be adjusted in terms of volume and/or weight to change the dynamics of the game  10 . In some embodiments, the projectiles  12  consist of a soft, flexible enclosure and a granular fill. In some embodiments, the projectiles consist of an enclosure with a consistent texture and hardness to provide consistency when the projectile  12  contacts the game board  20  during play. 
     In  FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the target portion  11  with ten pins  30  arranged in the triangular configuration described previously. In  FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the target portion  11  with ten pins  30  arranged in the aforementioned triangular configuration. In  FIG. 6  is a side view of a first embodiment of the target portion  11  with ten pins  30  arranged in the aforementioned triangular configuration. The ten pins  30  are placed over the marks  21  on the upper surface of the game board  20 , hiding the marks  21  in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     In  FIG. 7  is a side view of the game board  20  without any pins  30  setup on its upper surface  23 . In the first embodiment, the game board  20  has a substantially flat upper surface  23  and a support structure  22  that is mounted to the bottom surface  24  of the game board  20 . The support structure  22  increases the stiffness of the game board  20  and raises the elevation of the upper surface  23  when the game board  20  is placed on a surface. In the first embodiment of the invention, the game board  20  is generally placed on the ground, which can include a surface with grass or other low lying vegetation. When the game board  20  is placed on a surface with grass or other low lying vegetation, it is desirable to elevate the upper surface  23  to a height that is equal to or greater than the height of the grass or vegetation in the vicinity of the game board  20 . It is also possible to play the game  10  with grass or vegetation that exceeds the height of the upper surface  23 , but the surrounding vegetation could have an impact on the trajectory of the projectiles  12 . 
     In  FIGS. 8 and 9  are bottom views of the game board  20 . In  FIG. 8 , the game board  20  is configured for transport, with game components, including the pins  30 , projectiles  12  and scoreboard  14  attached to the bottom of the game board  20 . In  FIG. 9 , the pins  30 , projectiles  12  and scoreboard have been removed, showing the bare bottom of the game board  20 . The bottom  24  of the game board  20  in the first exemplary embodiment uses open segmented compartments to provide uniquely sized spaces for the aforementioned components of the game during travel. The game board  20  also uses multiple elastic straps to hold the aforementioned game components in place when the game  10  is being transported. It is appreciated that the storage system disclosed on the bottom of the first embodiment of the game board  20  is one of many ways to secure the game components during transport. The game components could be transported using other methods, including but not limited to, a separate bag, a bag attached to the bottom of the board, compartments with openings, hook and loop fasteners or snap fasteners. 
     With the scoreboard  14  removed, a plurality of plugs  25  can be seen in  FIG. 9 . A single row of plugs  25  is also visible in  FIG. 8 , with the remainder being blocked by the scoreboard  14 . In the first exemplary embodiment of the game board  20 , a plurality of magnets is situated between the upper surface  23  and lower surface  24  of the game board. On the lower surface  24  of the game board  20  are a plurality of circular openings  26  that are shallower in depth than the distance between the upper surface  23  and lower surface  24 . Each circular opening  26  is located substantially below a mark  21  located on the upper surface so that the center of each circular opening  26  is located below the center of a corresponding circularly shaped mark  21  on the top surface  23 . Each opening  26  is sized to accept a magnet  27  that is secured in place using a plug  25 . In the first exemplary embodiment, the openings  26  are circular in shape and maintain substantially the same diameter through the entire depth of each opening, however, openings of different shapes, sizes and of varying sizes could be used in some applications. 
     In  FIG. 10  is a side sectioned view of a magnet  27  installed in the game board  20 , sectioned vertically and through the center of the magnet  27 . In the first embodiment of the game board  20 , the depth of each opening  26  is shallower than the distance between the upper surface  23  and bottom surface  24 , creating a cylindrical void with an opening on the bottom surface  24  that does not extend through the upper surface  23 . The distance between the upper surface  23  and bottom surface  24  is denoted by distance B in  FIG. 10 . The distance between the bottom of the cylindrical void and the upper surface  23  denoted by distance C in  FIG. 10 . The base  28  of each opening  26  ideally should be substantially the same distance from the upper surface  23  in each opening  26  on a single game board  20  if magnets  27  of equal strength are used. In other words, distance C should be substantially the same for all openings  26  used in a single game board  20  if the magnets  27  are substantially the same strength. 
     Fixed to the base  28  of each opening  26  is a magnet  27 . The magnets  27  of the first embodiment of the game board are rare earth magnets, neodymium (chemical formula Nd2Fe14B) magnets in particular. It is appreciated that there are other types of magnets that could be suitable for use in the present invention, including but not limited to, samarium cobalt magnets (chemical formula SmCo5), magnets created from ferromagnetic materials and electromagnets. 
     In the first embodiment of the game board  20 , the openings  26  are circular, leading to a cylindrical void. The magnets  27  are also cylindrical to maximize the magnitude of the magnetic field at the upper surface of the game board  20 , but the magnets  27  have a slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the openings  26  (when viewed from below) to ease installation. The magnets  27  can be glued or otherwise fixed to the base  28  of each opening  26 . The magnets  27  can also be secured using a plug  25 , which makes independently gluing or fixing the magnets  27  to each base  28  optional. It is appreciated that the system disclosed herein of fixing a magnet to the base using glue and/or a wooden plug is one of many methods of achieving the goal of permanently mounting a magnet  27  at a predetermined depth beneath the upper surface  23 . The plugs  25  can be comprised many different suitable materials, including but not limited to, wood, plastic and resin. The plugs  25  can be sanded or planed after installation to make them flush with the bottom surface  24 . The magnets  27  may optionally be installed through the upper surface  23  rather than the bottom surface  24 . Depending on the distance between the upper surface  23  and bottom surface  24 , distance B, and the magnetic strength of the magnets  27 , the magnets  27  may be mounted directly against the bottom surface  24  or in an opening  26  whose depth is equal to the height of the magnet  27 , removing the need for a plug  25  at all. In some embodiments, the magnets  27  are mounted so that their upper surface is flush with the upper surface  23  of the game board  20 . 
     In  FIG. 11  is a front view of the scoreboard  14  used in the first embodiment of the game  10 . The first embodiment of the game  10  uses a scoring system that is similar to that used in candlepin bowling. The scoreboard  14  is therefore similar to one that could be used in candlepin bowling. Depending on the particular sport or other basis for the design of the target portion  11 , the scoreboard  14  may be adapted to the unique scoring requirements of other embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the scoreboard  14  is comprised of a rigid board with a vinyl overlay to create a dry erase board. 
       FIGS. 12-16  show the first embodiment of the pins  30  in further detail. In  FIG. 12  is a side view of a pin  30 , showing the general cylindrical shape of the pin with a taper at the top and bottom. In  FIG. 13  is a top view of a pin  30 . The bottom view of the pin  30  is substantially the same as the top view and isn&#39;t shown. 
     In  FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the pins  30 , showing the three main components comprising the pin  30 . The pin  30  has a body  31  with an upper cap  32  and a lower cap  33 , where the terms upper and lower refer to ends of the pin  30  when setup on the game board  20  and ready for play. At the upper end of the body  31  is an upper cap  32  that is fixed to the body  31 . At the lower end of the body  31  is a lower cap  33  that is also fixed to the body  31 . 
     In  FIG. 15  is a side sectioned view of a lower cap  33 , showing the multiple components that comprise it. The lower cap  33  is comprised of an endcap  34 , a magnet  35  and a plug  36 . The endcap  34  is comprised of a cylindrical base  38  and a hollow cylinder  37  that extends vertically from the base  38 . The thickness of the base  38  is denoted by distance D. The upper cap  32  is similar to the endcap  34  of the lower cap  33 , expect that it is inverted when installed and the area of the upper cap  32  that corresponds to the base  38  of the lower cap is uniform in height (substantially equal to distance D in all areas). 
     The base  38  in the lower cap  34  is not a uniform height, rather, the base  38  has a cylindrical void  39  that is open to the hollow cylinder  37 . The bottom of the cylindrical void  39  is substantially flat and is a distance E from the bottom of the base  38 . Situated within the cylindrical void  39  is a magnet  35  fixed to the bottom of the cylindrical void  39 . The magnets  35  of the first embodiment of the pins  30  are rare earth magnets, neodymium (chemical formula Nd2Fe14B) magnets in particular. It is appreciated that there are other types of magnets that could be suitable for use in the present invention, including but not limited to, samarium cobalt magnets (chemical formula SmCo5), magnets created from ferromagnetic materials and electromagnets. 
     In some embodiments, the magnets  27  &amp;  35  comprise grade N52 neodymium rare earth magnets oriented in their respective location to cause the base of the pin  30  to be magnetically attracted to a location on the game board  20 . In some embodiments, distance C (in  FIG. 10 ) and distance E (in  FIG. 15 ) are substantially the same. In some embodiments, distance C and distance E are between and including 0.005 inches and 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, distance C and distance E are between and including 0.010 inches and 0.150 inches. In some embodiments, distance C and distance E are between and including 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, distance C and distance E are between and including 0.030 inches and 0.050 inches. In some embodiments, distance C and distance E are both about 0.040 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the use of magnets  27  &amp;  35  in both the pins  30  and game board  20  provide a more consistent and stronger force of magnetic attraction between the respective components than in embodiments where one magnet is replaced with a ferrous material. In some embodiments, the magnets  27  &amp;  35  each comprise a single neodymium magnet that is cylindrical in shape. In some embodiments, it is desirable for there to be a significant force of magnetic attraction between the magnets  27  &amp;  35  in their respective game board  20  and pin  30  during play to prevent the pins  30  from falling over upon incidental contact. For example, if the force of magnetic attraction between the magnets  27  &amp;  35  is not adequate, the shock of a projectile  12  impacting the game board  20  could knock over all of the pins  30 . With an adequate force of magnetic attraction between the magnets  27  &amp;  35 , a projectile  12  can generally only knock over a pin  30  through direct contact. 
     In the first embodiment of the pins  30 , the magnets  35  are cylindrical in shape with a slightly smaller diameter (when viewed from above) than the diameter of the hollow cylinder  37 , for ease of installation. The magnets  35  can be glued or otherwise fixed to the bottom of the cylindrical voids  39 . The magnets  35  can also be secured using a plug  36 , which makes independently gluing or fixing the magnets  35  to the bottom of each cylindrical void  39  optional. It is appreciated that the system disclosed herein of fixing a magnet to the bottom of the cylindrical void using glue and/or a plug is one of many methods of achieving the goal of permanently mounting a magnet  35  at a predetermined distance E away from the bottom of the lower cap  33 . The plugs  36  can be comprised of many different suitable materials, including but not limited to, wood, plastic and resin. The magnets  35  may optionally be installed through the bottom surface of the lower cap  33  rather than through the hollow cylinder  37 . Depending on distance E, the magnetic strength of the magnets  35  and size of the magnets  35 , the magnets  35  may be mounted directly against the bottom surface of the lower cap or in a recess in the bottom surface of the lower cap  33 . 
     The magnet  35  in the exemplary embodiment of a pin  30  is mounted internally to the pin  30 , in part, to increase durability. Rare earth magnets can be relatively brittle and enclosing the magnets  35  within the pin  30  can increase the durability of the pins  30  and prevent the magnet  35  from cracking or breaking away from the pin  30 . The use of an end cap  34  on the pin  30  is particularly effective at preventing damage to the magnet  35  during play. The end cap  34  protects the bottom of the magnet  35  with the material contained in distance E. The magnet  35  can be secured in place both with an interference fit between the diameter of the magnet  35  and the diameter of the hollow cylinder  37  and through the use of a plug  36  to prevent the magnet  35  from upward movement relative to the pin  30 . The plug  36  may also be secured with an interference fit between the diameter of the plug  36  and the diameter of the hollow cylinder  37 . The magnet  35  and the plug  36  may optionally be fixed relative to the hollow cylinder  37  using an adhesive. 
     the magnets  35  are cylindrical in shape with a slightly smaller diameter (when viewed from above) than the diameter of the hollow cylinder  37 , for ease of installation. The magnets  35  can be glued or otherwise fixed to the bottom of the cylindrical voids  39 . The magnets  35  can also be secured using a plug  36 , which makes independently gluing or fixing the magnets  35  to the bottom of each cylindrical void  39  optional. It is appreciated that the 
     The pins  30  are placed on the game board  20  directly on each mark  21  prior to the beginning of play. Because the lower end of each pin  30  has a magnet  35  situated within the lower endcap and each mark  21  has a magnet  27  mounted beneath the upper surface  23  of the game board  20 , the lower end of each pin  30  is magnetically attracted to marks  21 . Because the game board  20  also uses magnets  27 , the north and south poles of the magnets  27  and  35  must be considered to ensure that the magnets  27  in the game board  20  are magnetically attracted to the magnets  35  in the pins  30  rather than repelled. While magnets are used in both the game board  20  and pins  30  in the present embodiment, the magnets in either the pins or the game board may be substituted with ferrous metal or another material that is attracted to magnets. The upper cap may also be substituted with a second lower cap so that both ends of the pin  30  have an area that is magnetically attracted to the game board  20 . 
     The relationship between the weight of the pins  30 , the center of mass of the pins  30  and the force of attraction between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20  at marks  21  on the upper surface  23  is important to the game  10 . For a given weight and center of mass of a pin  30 , the force of attraction can be varied to change the dynamics of the game. When the force of attraction is increased between the pins  30  and the game board  20 , the pins  30  are more difficult to knock over, making them less likely to fall over from disturbances caused by impacts against the game board  20  or by contact from other pins  30 . When the force of attraction is decreased, the pins  30  are easier to knock over, making them more likely to fall over from disturbances caused by impacts against the game board  20  or contact from other pins  30 . In the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the force of magnetic attraction between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20  at marks  21  is optimized so that the pins  30  will fall over from direct hits by a projectile  12  or significant impacts from other pins  30 , but not from disturbances against the game board  20  itself. The force of magnetic attraction can be adjusted by changing distance C and/or distance E or changing the characteristics of magnet  27  and/or magnet  35 . Lightening the weight of the pins  30  would have a similar effect as increasing the magnetic force between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20 . Increasing the weight of the pins  30  would have a similar effect as decreasing the magnetic force between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20 . Decreasing the height of the center of mass of the pins  30  would have a similar effect as increasing the magnetic force between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20 . Increasing the height of the center of mass of the pins  30  would have a similar effect as decreasing the magnetic force between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20 . 
     In one example of the present invention, the magnetic force between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20  is optimized so that the pins  30  will return to the upright position if tilted at an angle of less than ten degrees from upright. In another example of the present invention, the magnetic force between the base of the pins  30  and the game board  20  is optimized so that the pins  30  will return to the upright position if tilted at an angle of less than twenty degrees from upright. 
     In  FIG. 17  is a side view of a second exemplary embodiment of a pin  130 . The second exemplary embodiment of a pin  130  is styled to call to mind a ten pin style bowling pin that has a wide lower area  140 , narrow neck  141 , widening to a rounded head  142 . In the second embodiment of a pin  130 , the pin  130  is generally cylindrical, but the diameter of the pin is continuously and marginally changing so that the diameter of the pin does not remain constant at any location moving up or down the pin  130 . The pin  130  has a magnet  135  embedded in its base that is hidden in a side view and therefore shown with dashed lines. In this embodiment, the magnet  135  is mounted in a recessed area  143  in the base of the pin  130  so that the magnet  135  is either flush with the base of the pin  130  or slightly recessed. The pin  130  can be solid or hollow depending on the material chosen. A hollow design would have a lower weight and center of mass compared to a solid design of a similar material, requiring the strength of the magnet  135  to be adjusted using the same principles taught for pin  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the game  10  is useful to provide a bowling type game without the need for a long alley or runway. By utilizing a target portion  10  spaced away from a foul line  13  and projectiles  12  configured for being lobbed, the game  10  eliminates the need for a perfectly flat surface required when rolling a projectile towards a target. 
     In some embodiments, the game board  20  is configured so that it is elongate in a direction away from a foul line  13 , with a length in the elongate direction that is about two times its width in a direction normal to the elongate direction. In some embodiments, the game board  20  is configured so that it is elongate in a direction away from a foul line  13 , with a length in the elongate direction that is between and including one times to four times its width in a direction normal to the elongate direction. In some embodiments, the game board  20  is configured with a target area on the distal end relative to the foul line  13  and a substantially flat area on the proximate end relative to the foul line  13 . In some embodiments, the target area and substantially flat area have substantially the same area. In some embodiments, the target area and substantially flat area have a substantially similar length and width, where the length and width are about the same. The target area, in some embodiments, is defined by the area of the game board  20  configured to accept the placement of pins  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the foul line  13  is spaced away from the game board  20  so that a user standing on one side of the foul line  13  would need to lob a projectile  12  over a lateral gap between the foul line  13  and the game board  20  to strike a pin  30 . The lateral gap does not need to be perfectly flat, making the game  10  ideal for play over uneven ground. 
     In some embodiments, the projectiles  12  comprise a soft enclosure filled with a weighted material. The projectiles  12  are preferably constructed with a soft enclosure covering their entire exterior so that they can easily deform on impact with the game board  20  or pins  30 . In some embodiments, the projectiles  12  preferably do not have any substantially rigid areas on their enclosure to prevent unpredictable results when the projectile  12  impacts the game board  20  or pins  30 . A projectile  12  with a rigid portion on its enclosure could bounce or slide off the game board  20  in an unpredictable manner, making it less desirable for some embodiments of the game  10 . 
     It is also preferable for the support structure  22  to have a length and width that is less than the upper surface  23  of the game board  20 . Since a projectile  12  can strike the leading edge or the sides of the game board  20 , it is preferable to have the support structure  22  recessed from the leading edge (proximate end) or sides of the game board. 
     The embodiments of the game  10  disclosed herein can be used in a method of play that enhances player enjoyment. The lawn games of the prior art that call to mind the game of bowling are tedious and frustrating to play due to the unpredictable action of a rolled ball on the ground and the need to reset the pins precisely after each turn. The present invention can be played with as few as one player, however, it is preferable to play the game with at least two players to enhance the playing experience with a direct-competition component. Potentially, an infinite number of players could participate in a single game, however, it is preferable to limit the number of players to a reasonable number so each round does not take more time than the attention span of the players. The game consists of ten rounds, where each player has one turn during each round. While the preferred embodiment uses ten rounds, the number of rounds may be increased or decreased based on player preferences. 
     Prior to playing the first round, the game board must be placed on the ground. It is preferable to place the game board on a relatively level area, however, there is no requirement that the ground be absolutely level. Depending on player preference, the game board could be placed on an incline or inclined using an additional support or leg. At a predetermined distance from the front edge of the game board, two foul line flags are pressed into the ground to mark a foul line that is substantially parallel to the front edge of the game board. The foul line does not need to be precisely parallel to the front edge of the game board, however, it is preferable to have the foul line as close to parallel to the front edge of the game board as practical. The flags should be spaced apart to sufficiently mark the foul line and provide a comfortable area for a player to toss projectiles. While the present invention uses small flags attached to thin metal poles to mark the foul line, it is appreciated that there are a variety of methods and objects that could be used to mark the foul line, including but not limited to, paint or objects placed on the ground. 
     In one example, the foul line is 25 feet from the front edge of the game board. The distance between the foul line and the front edge of the game board can be increased to increase difficulty or decreased to decrease difficulty. In another example, the foul line continues in a straight line beyond the flags marking the foul line so that a player may throw a projectile from any point behind a foul line of infinite length. 
     Once the game board and foul line are set, the pins are setup on the game board for the start of a player&#39;s turn. In the preferred embodiment, there are ten pins with magnets mounted near their base and ten magnets embedded in the surface of the game board. To set the pins up, a person merely needs to turn the pins upright (with the magnets towards the bottom) and place them on the game board in the vicinity of an embedded magnet. The magnetic attraction between the magnet in the pin and the game board causes the pin to slide to the correct position and remain upright respite minor disturbances. Once all ten pins are set up with the magnet in each base placed near a magnet in the game board, a player&#39;s turn is ready to begin. 
     To begin a turn, the player stands behind the foul line so that the foul line is situated between the player and the game board. The player has three beanbags available to use as a projectile, the object being to throw the bean bags at the pins to knock them over. While most players will likely use an under handed throw to lob the beanbags at the pins, many different styles of throwing may be used by a player, including but not limited to, an overhand throw, a sidearm throw, a shotput-type throw or a discus-like throw. After a player throws all three beanbags, the player&#39;s score is computed as the number of pins that were knocked over. In one example, the beanbags and fallen pins are not removed from the game board during a player&#39;s turn so that all three beanbags are thrown without removing beanbags and/or fallen pins between throws. In another example, the beanbags and/or fallen pins are removed from the game board during a player&#39;s turn so that beanbags and/or fallen pins are removed from the game board between a player&#39;s throws. 
     While each player has three beanbags available during each turn, a player gains a future benefit in the game if less than three beanbags are needed to knock down all of the pins. If only one or two beanbags is needed to knock over the pins, the player may add to their score in the next round. If two beanbags were needed to knock down all of the pins, the player would add the number of pins knocked down by their first beanbag thrown in the next round to their score. If only one beanbag was needed to knock down all of the pins, the player would add the number of pins knocked down by their first and second beanbag thrown in the next round to their score. If the player knocks down all of the pins with fewer than three beanbags in the tenth, or final round, they will be entitled to an additional round for the purpose of counting the number of pins knocked over in the first beanbag thrown or the first and second beanbag thrown, as appropriate. 
     During each round, each player has a turn, where the pins must be reset on the game board and the beanbags returned to the vicinity of the foul line. The score of each player can be recorded on a scoreboard or any other suitable means for recording or remembering the score of each player. Keeping score is an optional aspect of the game as some players may find the game more enjoyable without a competitive aspect. After ten rounds, the player with the highest numerical score is the winner of the game. 
     In an alternative method, the game can be played with each player having two beanbags available during each turn, similar to the rules of ten pin bowling. The method of play and scoring would be substantially similar, except that each player would only be able to throw two beanbags in a turn rather than three. When using only two beanbags per turn, the rules applicable for players that knock over all of the pins with three beanbags are inapplicable. For players that knock over all of the pins with two beanbags, they would be entitled to add the number of pins knocked over by their first beanbag in the next round to their score. The game could also be played with fewer than two beanbags or more than three beanbags as preferable to the players. 
     What has been described is a projectile and target lawn game and methods of playing the projectile and target lawn game to maximize player enjoyment. While this disclosure shows the invention as a projectile and target lawn game that calls to mind the sport of bowling, all or part of the invention is capable of being used in other applications. In this disclosure, there are shown and described only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but, as aforementioned, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.