Patent Publication Number: US-2019184253-A1

Title: Floating Game Assembly and Float with Game Features

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/608,125 filed on Dec. 20, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a device that allows for game playing in an aquatic environment such as a swimming pool. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a float with game features. 
     BACKGROUND 
     During all times of the year, individuals often go to aquatic environments such as swimming pools (outdoor and indoor), lakes, etc., to relax, socialize, and play games with each other. In this regard, floats, e.g., swimming pool floats, are often used by individuals at the aquatic environment to float on the water and relax. These floats take many forms, but often times will be toroidal in shape with a central opening where the person can sit, allowing the individual to float on the water. Additionally, aquatic games are often played by both adults and children at these aquatic environments. These games can include the use of ball. 
     While at an aquatic environment, individuals or families may want to switch between relaxing and playing games. This requires them to pack their vehicles with not only floats for relaxing, but also games for playing, along with any other equipment that they may need, e.g., chairs, umbrellas, etc., and transport such equipment to the aquatic environment. Since vehicles have limited space, and, as a result, it may be difficult to find adequate room in the vehicle to transport additional equipment such as floats or equipment for sports and games. Furthermore, even when the aquatic environment is at an individual&#39;s house, e.g., a personal pool, and travel is not necessary, equipment storage becomes an issue. Not only does a home owner have store their typical and essential aquatic equipment, they must find storage space for their leisure equipment, e.g., floats, and equipment for sports and games. 
     Accordingly, what is desirable is a float that can function both as a float on which a person can sit to float on the water, but which can also function as a game that can be used at an aquatic environment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a float with game features. The float can function as a conventional float used at aquatic environments, and can also function as a game that can be played at such aquatic environments. By combining multiple features into one compact package, the float is space-saving and easily transported. The float is uniquely designed to provide an enhanced experience at an aquatic environment by providing a device to relax on, and a gameplay area into a combined package. 
     In some example embodiments, a floating game assembly includes a float, a field goal post, a game mat, and a ball. The float includes a body defining a central opening and a mount secured to the body. The float is configured to float on a water surface. The field goal post includes a plurality of pipes and a plurality of connection fittings. The plurality of pipes are connected with the plurality of connection fittings to form the field goal post, allowing the field goal post to be constructed and deconstructed. At least a portion of the field goal post can be inserted into and secured to the mount to removably secure the field goal post to the float. In some aspects, the floating game assembly can include a paddle for hitting the ball. 
     In some aspects, the floating game assembly can include a second float and a second field goal post. The second float includes a body defining a central opening and a mount secured to the body. The second float is configured to float on a water surface. The second field goal post includes a plurality of pipes and a plurality of connection fittings. The plurality of pipes are connected with the plurality of connection fittings to form the second field goal post, allowing the second field goal post to be constructed and deconstructed. At least a portion of the second field goal post can be inserted into and secured to the mount to removably secure the second field goal post to the second float. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a float with game features includes a float and a field goal post. The float includes a body defining a central opening and a mount secured to the body. The float is configured to float on a water surface. The field goal post includes a plurality of pipes and a plurality of connection fittings. The plurality of pipes are connected with the plurality of connection fittings to form the field goal post, allowing the field goal post to be constructed and deconstructed. At least a portion of the field goal post can be inserted into and secured to the mount to removably secure the field goal post to the float. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a float with game features includes a float and an inflatable field goal post. The float includes a body defining a central opening and a mount secured to the body. The float is configured to float on a water surface. The field goal post includes an inflatable body having a mounting post. The inflatable field goal post can be inflated and deflated. The mounting post of the inflatable field goal post can be inserted into and secured to the mount to removably secure the inflatable field goal post to the float. The float can also include a pouch secured thereto that is configured to receive and store the inflatable field goal post when it is deflated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a floating game assembly of the present disclosure provided in an aquatic environment, e.g., a swimming pool; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a float with game features of the floating game assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an alternative float with game features. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a floating game assembly and float with game features, as described in detail below in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a floating game assembly  10  provided in an aquatic environment  12 , e.g., a swimming pool. The floating game assembly  10  includes two floats with game features  14 , a game mat  16 , a paddle  17 , and a ball  18 . Each float with game features  14  includes a float  20  and a field goal post  22 . The float  20  can have an annular body  24  that defines a central opening  26  providing access to a water surface  28 . The central opening  26  can function to retain the ball  18  if a user throws the ball  18  into the central opening  26  of the float  20 . The float  20  can be formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and can be inflatable. Alternatively, the float  20  can be a solid structure made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. The field goal post  22  generally comprises a plurality of pipes  30  and a plurality of connection fittings  32 . The float with game features  14 , the game mat  16 , the paddle  17 , and the ball  18  are configured to float on the water surface  28  so that they are engageable by a user. The paddle  17  is a generally rigid component that can be used to strike the ball  18  to “kick” the ball  18  through the field goal post  22 , discussed in greater detail below. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the float with game features  14 , showing the field goal post  22  exploded from the float  20 . As described in connection with  FIG. 1 , the float  20  includes an annular body  24  that defines a central opening  26 . The annular body  24  of the float  20  additionally includes a mount  34  sized and configured to receive a portion of the field goal post  22 , e.g., one of the pipes  30 . The mount  34  can be a recess or a through-hole that extends into or through the annular body  24 . In such a configuration, the mount  34  can be a flexible or a rigid PVC cup or sheath that is secured to the annular body  24  of the float  20  so that it extends into or through the annular body  24 . In the case of an inflatable float  20 , the mount  34  is secured to the annular body  24  so that it does not impair the structural integrity of the float  20 , e.g., the mount  34  is sealed to the annular body  24  such that they annular body  24  maintains its airtight seal. The mount  34  can also be an external structure, e.g., a rigid PVC cup, that is secured to the exterior of the annular body  24 . A portion of the field goal post  22 , e.g., a pipe  30 , can be inserted into the mount  34  to secure the field goal post  22  to the float  20  in an upright position. The mount  34  and the pipe  30  can have a tight tolerance between them so that the pipe  30 , and thus the field goal post  22 , is secured to the mount  34  with a friction fit engagement. The float  20  can include a counter-balance opposite the mount  34  to prevent the float  20  from flipping over when the field goal post  22  is secured thereto. 
     As referenced above in connection with  FIG. 1 , the field goal post  22  comprises a plurality of pipes  30  and a plurality of connection fittings  32 . It is recommended that the components of the field goal post  22  are manufactured out of PVC or like materials, but is not limited to these materials. PVC would satisfy the required criteria of lightness, strength, and durability. The connection fittings  32  are slightly larger in diameter than the pipes  30  so that the pipes  30  can be inserted into the connection fittings  32  to connect to each other. The pipes  30  are inserted into the connection fittings  32 , and due to the tight tolerances between components, the field goal post  22  can be securely constructed. The plurality of pipes  30  are generally connected to the plurality of connection fittings  32  in a Y-shaped form, e.g., a U-shaped form with a single pipe  30  extending therefrom for connection to the mount  34 . Alternatively, the plurality of pipes  30  can be connected to the plurality of connection fittings  32  in an H-shaped form, e.g., with two pipes  30  extending therefrom for connection to a plurality of mounts  34 . In this “H”-configuration, the float  20  would include two mounts  34  sized, shaped, and spaced to match with the two pipes  30 . Furthermore, it should be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the pipes  30  and connection fittings  32  can be of various suitable diameters. For example, the pipes  30  and connection fittings  32  can be of a larger diameter, e.g., a three inch diameter, or they can be of a smaller diameter, e.g., a one inch diameter. Smaller and larger diameters than those listed are also contemplated by this disclosure. The field goal post  22  can also be constructed as a single unitary component instead of being formed of a plurality of pipes  30  and a plurality of connection fittings  32 . 
     The above-described construction allows the float  20  to remain intact without any additional modifications to allow the field goal post  22  to be mounted to it. That is, the mount  34  facilitates the installation and removal of the field goal post  22 , while allowing the float  20  to be used by an individual as pool float when the field goal post  22  is detached. By making the field goal post  22  easily removable, the float  20  remains portable and retains the capability of being used by an individual as a floatation device, e.g., for relaxation purposes. Accordingly, the float with game features  14  serves a dual purpose as it can be used as a game playing device and a floating chair. 
     The floating game assembly  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  with two floats with game features  14 . However, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the floating game assembly  10  could include a single float with game features  14 , or more than two floats with game features  14 . For example, if space is limited then a single float with game features  14  can be used, or if space is not limited and three individuals want to play the game then three floats with game features  14  can be used. The utilization of more than three floats with game features  14  is also contemplated by the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an alternative float with game features  36 . The alternative float with game features  36  can be used in place of the first float with game features  14  shown in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The alternative float with game features  36  includes a float  38  and an inflatable field goal post  40 . Similar to the float  20  described in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the float  38  includes an annular body  42  that defines a central opening  44 . The annular body  42  of the float  38  additionally includes a mount  46  sized and configured to receive a portion of the inflatable field goal post  40 . The mount  46  can be a recess or a through-hole that extends into or through the annular body  42 . The mount  46  of the float  38  can be similar in construction to the mount  34  of the float  20  discussed in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The float  38  can also include a pouch  48  secured to the annular body  42 . The pouch  48  can be a closed by a zipper or can have a cover flap. The pouch  48  is configured to receive and hold the inflatable field goal post  40  when it is deflated. Accordingly, the pouch  48  functions as storage for the inflatable field goal post  40 . 
     The inflatable field goal post  40  is an inflatable unitary structure that includes a body  50  having at least one mounting post  52  and two uprights  54 . The mounting post  52  is configured to be inserted into and engage the mount  46 . The inflatable field goal post  40  is generally Y-shaped, e.g., a U-shaped form with the mounting post  52  extending therefrom for connection to the mount  46 . Alternatively, the inflatable field goal post  40  can be H-shaped, e.g., with two mounting posts  52  for connection to a plurality of mounts  46 . In this “H”-configuration, the float  20  would include two mounts  46  sized, shaped, and spaced to match with the two pipes  52 . The inflatable field goal post  40  can be deflated and stored in the pouch  48 . 
     The inflatable field goal post  40  can be secured to the float  38  by inserting the mounting post  52  into the mount  46 , which secures the inflatable field goal post  40  to the float  38  in an upright position. The mount  46  and the mounting post  52  can have a tight tolerance between them so that the mounting post  52 , and thus the inflatable field goal post  40 , is secured to the mount  46  with a friction fit engagement. If necessary, the float  38  can include a counter-balance opposite the mount  46  to prevent the float  38  from flipping over when the field goal post  40  is secured thereto. 
     In an alternative embodiment contemplated by the present disclosure, the alternative float with game features  36  can be a single structure with the float  38  and the inflatable field goal post  40  permanently secured to each other. In such a configuration, the inflatable field goal post  40  can be permanently secured to the float  38  at the location of the mount  46 . Furthermore, the float  38  and the inflatable field goal post  40  can be isolated such that their air chambers are not in fluidic communication. This arrangement allows the float  38  and the inflatable field goal post  40  to be inflated separately, thus allowing a user to selectively inflate and deflate the inflatable field goal post  40 . As such, a user can choose to only inflate the float  38  and use it as a flotation device while maintaining the inflatable field goal post  40  in a deflated condition. In this alternative embodiment, the mount  46  can function as a storage compartment for the inflatable field goal post  40  such that when the inflatable field goal post  40  is deflated it can be packed into the recess of the mount  46  for storing the inflatable field goal post  40  out of the way. 
     The games provided by the present disclosure can be played in a plurality of player configurations, such as one player versus one player, two players versus two players, etc. To set-up the floating game assembly  10  for gameplay, two of the floats with game features  14  can be provided and positioned to face opposing teams, with a predetermined distance separating the floats with game features  14 . The game mat  16  is placed between the floats with game features  14 . Optionally, the game mat  16  can be connected to the front of the floats  20  so that the spacing of the floats  20  is maintained during gameplay. If a single float with game features  14  is utilized then the game mat  16  will be placed in front of the single float with game features  14 . Once the floating game assembly  10  is set-up, a player can throw the ball  18  into the central opening  26  of the float  20  opposite from where the user is standing. Various point scoring rules could be used. For example, if the ball  18  is thrown and hits any part of the float  20  on a fly, three points could be awarded. If the ball  18  goes into the central opening  26 , seven points could be awarded. Further, if the ball  18  enters the central opening  26 , there could be an opportunity to gain one more point by “kicking” the ball  18  through the field goal post  22  with the paddle  17  or with a user&#39;s hand. To prepare for the kick, the ball  18  should be positioned at midfield, while a teammate holds the ball  18  and the player “kicks” it, e.g., strikes it with the paddle  17 , towards the field goal post  22 . If the ball  18  goes through the field goal post  22 , the player receives a point. If, in the process of kicking the extra point, the player “kicks” the ball  18  and it enters the central opening  26  of the float  20 , the player or team could win the game regardless of score. Further, if a player throws the ball  18  and it skims off the water surface  28  and manages to land in the central opening  26 , the player could receive two points. Conceivably any point and/or scoring scheme could be utilized. 
     To ensure a fair game, and to minimize any potentially advantages pertaining to weather, or uneven water depth, opposing players should change position when the leading team reaches the following point milestones: twelve points, twenty-four points, thirty-six points, and forty-eight points. First team to reach fifty-four points is declared the winner. If during the play, the ball  18  touches the float  20  and the opposite team catches it before it touches the water  28 , the opposing team could be awarded three points. Any variations or game rules could be utilized. 
     It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that when playing the above described game, the alternative float with game features  36  shown in  FIG. 3  can be used in place of the float with game features  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Additionally, it should be understood that the floats  20 ,  38  and the field goal posts  22 ,  40  are interchangeable. 
     Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make any variations and modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.