Patent Publication Number: US-2012038108-A1

Title: Beanbag football game

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present inventions relate to toss games and, more particularly, relate to beanbag toss games for simulating football. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Beanbag toss games, also known as corn hole games, provide entertainment by the tossing of a beanbag at a distance though one hole in a board. Corn hole style boards have been provided with football themes. Other toss games use a beanbag tossed at more then one home in a board to simulate a football game. Toss games corn hole style boards were incapable of providing a full football game experience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS 
     An object of the present inventions is to provide a full football game experience. 
     A further object of the present inventions is to provide an image of a full-length football field upon a top surface of thereof. 
     Another further object of the present inventions is to provide an image including a far end zone and a yard line area extending the length of the field. 
     Another object of the present inventions is to provide grid markings and yard numbers. 
     A further other object of the present inventions is to provide a touchdown hole at a far end zone. 
     An additional object of the present inventions is to provide holes arranged in pairs representing a reward action and hazard action, the hazard action hole are located down slope below reward action holes. 
     Another additional object of the present inventions is to provide a full sequence of football plays. 
     An additional further object of the present inventions is to provide an exciting and realistic method for teams to toss beanbags to simulate downs and turnovers. 
     A toss football game has an image of a full-length football field including a far end zone and a yard line area extending the length of the rectangular planar surface from a far end zone and a plurality of through-holes for passage of a hand tossed football-shaped beanbag. A touchdown hole is located over the far end zone to simulate realistic play. A safety hole is located over the near end zone. Reward-hazard pairs of holes are arranged with hazards down slope from rewards. Grid markings extend the length between the end zones along yard numbers, tick marks and a stick-on center field logo. Orange pylons protrude at corners of end zones. A scoring mechanism permits players to keep track of series played and points earned. Instructions prescribe an extra point being earned immediately subsequent to a toss passing through a touchdown through-hole when a next toss lands on the planar surface and also prescribe an untimed having a limited number of tosses per series and a limited number of series per game, extendable when tossing though a prescribed hole until an upper limit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. 
       The details of the preferred embodiments and these and other objects and features of the inventions will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the board for the toss game according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of the board for the toss game illustrating a folding leg at a right corner of a far end according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a cutaway view of the board of the toss game illustrating the folding leg attached to a frame of the board according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates one of a plurality of football shaped beanbags according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of the board for the toss game illustrating a football shaped beanbag passing through a hole according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a score sheet associated with the football shaped beanbags and the board of the toss game according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an instruction sheet associated with the football shaped beanbags and the board of the toss game according to the present inventions; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway portion at a center of the field illustrating a stick on logo for the toss game according to the present inventions; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of a method described in the instruction sheet and for teams to use the board and toss beanbags to simulate football according to the present inventions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a board  105  for the toss game  100 . A rectangular planar surface  110  forms the top of the board for the toss game. An image  120  of full-length football field is illustrated upon a top surface of the rectangular planar surface  110 . 
     The image includes a far end zone  123 , a near end zone  125  and a yard line area  127  extending the length of the rectangular planar surface  110  between the far end zone and the near end zone. The image  120  is preferably painted on an outer, top surface of the board. The image of the yard line area on said rectangular planar surface  110  preferably illustrates grid markings extending the length of the rectangular planar surface  110  substantially between the end zone images  123 ,  125  and include images of yard numbers  129  consisting essentially of number images  10 ,  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  40 ,  30 ,  20  and  10  in this specified order to further cause a realistic football game feeling. 
     The image of the yard line area on said rectangular planar surface further comprises a centerfield logo  121  such as image of a team logo near the center of the field. The centerfield logo  121  can preferably be implemented as a stick-on-sticker image of a team logo which a retailer sticks on at purchase or an end customer sticks on after purchase. The end zones can contain a team logo or lettering  122 . The lettering or logo of the near and the far end zone images  123 ,  125  can preferably be implemented as a stick-on-sticker image. A stick-on-sticker image of a logo will be further illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
     The board  105  is preferably made of wood or plastic such as poly vinyl chloride PVC foam board expanded, wood pressboard, plywood of a thickness of preferably approximately ½ inches. The board is preferably approximately 48 inches in length and approximately 29 inches in width. 
     A pair of legs  107  support the board at a tilted angle so that the rectangular planar surface  110  slopes up with an end of the rectangular planar surface having the far end zone image  123  being higher than an end of the rectangular planar surface near the near end zone image  125 . 
     A plurality of through-holes  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135 ,  136  and  137  are formed in the board. Each of the through-holes  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135 ,  136  and  137  is formed of a size and shape sufficient to permit passage of a hand tossed beanbag. The through-holes are preferably approximately 5 inches in diameter. An image illustrated upon a top surface of the rectangular planar surface includes textual indicia associated with each of the plurality of the through-holes  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135 ,  136  and  137  to indicate various plays. In the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 , one pair of through-holes  130  and  131  is labeled “TOUCHDOWN”, another pair of through-holes  134  and  135  is labeled and “Field GOAL”, through-hole  132  is labeled “INTERCEPTION”, through-hole  133  is labeled “PENALTY”, through-hole  136  is labeled “SAFETY” and through-hole  137  is labeled “1 st  DOWN/2 pt. CONVERSION.” 
     Each of the through-holes holes  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135 ,  136  and  137  represent either a reward action or a hazard action via the textual indicia image associated with each through-hole. The reward actions include the through-holes holes  130 ,  131134 ,  135  and  137  corresponding to “TOUCHDOWN” and “Field GOAL”, and “1 st  DOWN/2 pt. CONVERSION.” The hazard actions include the through-holes holes  132 ,  133  and  136  corresponding to “INTERCEPTION”, “PENALTY”, and “SAFETY.” The reward action textual indicia image associated with each through-hole is preferably in predominately white lettering. The hazard action textual indicia image associated with each through-hole is preferably in predominately red colored lettering. This preferred lettering is predominately either white or red with a black outline. 
     The a reward action and hazard action labels are chosen such that through-holes are arranged in pairs representing a reward action and hazard action, wherein the hazard action is located down slope from a reward action. This causes additional excitement of play upon an imperfect toss and further simulates the risk in a game of football. In the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the illustrated reward-hazard pairs are: touchdown-interception, touchdown-penalty, and field goal-safety.  FIG. 1  illustrates three reward hazard pairs:  130  &amp;  132 ,  131  &amp;  133  and  134  &amp;  136 . This leaves a remaining pair  135  &amp;  137  with the down slope “1 st . DOWN/2 pt. CONVERSION” through-hole which is not a hazard. Because a 1 st  down and 2 pt. conversion holes were desired, it was not possible to pair a hazard with the other field goal hole without adding many additional hazards. Because it can be difficult to arrange all indicia in pairs of one reward and one hazard, while three quarters is illustrated and actually all could be arranged in the reward-hazard pairs, at least half and no more than at least three quarters of the through holes are preferably arranged in the reward-hazard pairs. 
     A pair of “TOUCHDOWN” labeled beanbag-sized through-holes  130  &amp;  131  is located in the rectangular planar surface substantially over the far end zone  123 . Locating a pair of touchdown holes over the far end zone provides a more realistic game play and subjects a player to the hazards of some of the through-holes closer to the player, in the mid-field down slope form the far end zone. 
     The “SAFETY” labeled beanbag-sized through-hole  136  is located in the rectangular planar surface substantially over the near end zone  125 . Locating a safety hole over the near end zone also provides a more realistic game play. 
     The pair of “Field GOAL” labeled through-holes  134  and  135 , the “INTERCEPTION” labeled through-hole  132 , and the “PENALTY” labeled through-hole  133  are located in the rectangular planar surface  110  substantially over the yard line area extending the length of the rectangle between the end zones  123  and  125 . 
     Orange pylons  140  are provided preferably protruding from the planar surface  110  at corners of the image of the end zones  123  and  125  to further create a realistic play. The orange pylons  140  also provide action points for a tossed beanbag to hit, touch or deflect when tossed or sliding across the planar surface  110  of the game board  105 . The orange pylons  140  can be made of a blaze orange painted wood dowel or preferably made of a flexible plastic material set into a hole in the planar surface  110  of the game board  105 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of the game board  105  for the toss game illustrating the folding leg  107  at a right corner of a far end. Two legs are disposed at each of the right corner of the far end and a left corner of the far end. The two legs are preferably approximately 10 inches to 10.5 inches long from the nut and bolt pivot. The legs are preferably made of painted wood or plastic, such as a PVC plastic. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a cutaway view of the board of the toss game cut though section lines AA illustrating the folding leg  107  attached to a frame of the game board  105  by a wing nut, bolt and two washer assembly  209 . The board has a rectangular frame  207  preferably of painted wood or plastic, such as a PVC plastic. An un-illustrated center cross member is preferably also added to a center of the frame for strength. The frame makes a total thickness of preferably approximately 3 inches adding that of the frame board and the top surface board. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of one beanbag  300  of a plurality of football shaped beanbags. The beanbags are preferably fabric beanbags filled with a packing material such as dried pinto beans or foam balls. The fabric material can be a brown cotton woven fabric or a coarser coached material. A football stitch image  310  can be adhered to the beanbag for looks or actually created with stitching onto the fabric. The beanbags can be substantially conical or actually substantially lie flat when filled. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of the game board  105  for the toss game illustrating how a football shaped beanbag  300  passes through one of the through-holes  331 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a score sheet associated with the football shaped beanbags and the board of the toss game according to the present inventions. The score sheet is a scoring mechanism permitting players to keep track of series played and points earned. The scoring mechanism comprises one or more score sheets depicting scores in a plurality of series in each of four quarters. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an instruction sheet associated with the football shaped beanbags and the board of the toss game according to the present inventions. The instructions for the toss football game will be described herein below and later with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 7 . The instruction sheet preferably describes, first, how to setup the game board initially including assembly of the legs and how to obtain and adhere a stick on logo and, second, rules for how to play the game. 
     The instruction sheet describes rules for how to play the game. The rules on the instruction sheet specify an untimed game to be played by a plurality of teams, each team having a limited number of tosses per series and a limited number of series per game. The rules on the instruction sheet specify a limit of series for a team is extended by one when a player of the team passes a beanbag through a first down through-hole. The rules on the instruction sheet for the toss football game specify an extra point being earned immediately subsequent to a toss passing through a touchdown through-hole when a next toss lands on the planar surface. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway portion at a center of the field illustrating a stick-on-sticker image  621  for the toss game. The stick-on-sticker image  621  can render the centerfield logo  121  such as a team logo. The stick-on-sticker image  621  can also render the logo or lettering  122  of the images in the near and the far end zones  123  and  125 . A stick-on-sticker image  621  is convenient for customizing the game for a favorite team. At purchase a retailer can stick on the stick-on-sticker image  621 . Alternatively, after purchase, an end customer can stick on the stick-on-sticker image  621 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flow diagram of a method described in the instruction sheet and for teams to use the board and toss beanbags to simulate football according to the present inventions.  FIG. 7  also illustrates a flow diagram of a method should a mechanical or an electrical apparatus such as a computer is used to automatically track game play and score. The mechanical or electrical apparatus such as a computer CPU with display could be stored within the game board  105 . 
     The method for playing an untimed game of toss football will be described. Initially a decision is made as to whether the first or the second team goes first. This decision is preferably made by an actual or a simulated coin toss  703 . A series of beanbags are then hand tossed by members of the team to go first. Each series used M or N is counted by a person or a counter  705  or  735 . Before each new series, a check is made at  705  or  735  to assure that for a team&#39;s next series, M or N, the team has not exceeded its permitted number of series X or Y. A series of beanbags are hand tossed, one at a time, towards a plurality of through-holes in a planar surface located a distance from a player of a team. Each subsequent toss B is counted by a person or counter  711  or  741 . The initial number of tosses is initially set to zero at  709  or  739 . An additional series of beanbags are continued to be hand tossed from a player of the same team, until a number of series tossed reaches a limit as detected by comparison at  713  or  743 . The limit of series for the team is extended by one  723  or  753  when a player of the team passes a beanbag through a first down through-hole  717  or  747 . 
     The limit of series for the team can be extended no higher than a predetermined number, preferably a number double an initial number of permitted series. Preferably the predetermined number is six and the initial number of permitted series is three. The limit of series for the team can be extended no higher than a predetermined number, preferably up to no more than four beanbag tosses. If a turnover is thrown at  719  or  749 , the other team begins unless the limit of series has been reached. 
     When a team passes a beanbag through a safety, 2 pt conversion or touchdown hole, a score is detected at  721 . The same team then continues play. 
     In the flowchart of  FIG. 7 , each quarter is over at  729 ,  727 ,  757  and  753 . There is a maximum of six series per quarter per team. After each quarter, play continues for a total of four quarters. Before the third quarter, play resumesoth the opposite team who started the fiorst quarter. Play continues until both teams have exceeded their allowable series  707  and  737  or  725  and  755  and the quarter is done  729  and  759  or  727  and  757 . 
     If a Penalty is thrown, the next beanbag is lost, but any other beanbags in that series can still be thrown by that team. (If it is the last beanbag, then the team is done with that series). If a Safety is thrown, opponent is awarded two points and any other beanbags in that series are lost by that team. 
     If a Touchdown is thrown, the same team continues play and there is no turnover requirement, even after a Field Goal or two Point Conversion. After the Touchdown (or subsequent Field Goal or Two Point Conversion), any other beanbags in that series can still continue to be thrown by the same team. (If it is the last beanbag, then the team is done with that series). 
     This is unlike conventional American football where the opposing team gets the ball after a touchdown. If an interception is thrown, however, that series is over for that team (all remaining beanbags in the series are lost), and the opposing team now gets to throw any remaining series. 
     Because the game flow of the present inventions is based on a limited number of series per team, and per quarter, the toss football game does not need to be limited by time and no clock is necessary, unlike conventional American football where each quarter is limited in minutes. 
     The objective of the game, known as the FourOnFour football game, is to score more points in four (4) quarters and/overtime than your opponent. The rules specify the game board  105  is distanced from the beanbag tossing player approximately twenty (20) feet from a beanbag toss line. A shorter distance may be used for players under the age of twelve (12) (to be agreed upon the players.) All Tournament games will be from twenty (20) feet. 
     The instructions specify that the start of the game is preferably determined by an actual coin toss. The team/player(s) who won the toss of the coin typically tosses first. There are four quarters per game. Opponent(s) will toss first to start the 3rd quarter. 
     When tossing a football-shaped beanbag, a toss is a toss, no matter if the beanbag lands on the playing field or not, even if the beanbag bounces off the ground first. 
     While the game can be played with only one beanbag of any shape, it is preferred to use four (4) brown football-shaped beanbags, plus one (1) orange football-shaped extra point beanbag. 
     The game consists of four (4) tosses (downs) per series unless a Penalty/Safety or an Interception is tossed (see later in rules) per team/player(s). There are three (3) series per quarter per team/players. There are four (4) quarters per game unless game goes into overtime. 
     Team/player(s) will toss one (1) beanbag at a time towards the playing field. The playing field will be cleared of beanbag at the end of each team/player(s) series. A beanbag must fall completely through the opening to count. 
     If a team/player(s) tosses a beanbag during their downs and it hits another beanbag into an opening, whatever opening the beanbag goes into counts. If both beanbags fall in, double the points. You must still toss an extra point beanbag for each touched scored (even for double touchdowns) Penalty would be two (2) beanbag forfeited. Safety would be four points to the opponent plus remaining tosses forfeited. You cannot receive double First Downs, although you still get one (1) new set of downs even if both beanbags fall in, (See First Down rules). If a beanbag falls into any Interception/Safety/Penalty opening when another beanbag is tossed, and the other beanbag falls into a Touchdown/Field Goal or First Down opening, the Interception/Safety/Penalty overrules any points scored from that toss. 
     If an Interception is tossed, the tossing team/player(s) forfeits their remaining tosses left in that series. If a penalty is tossed, the tossing team/player(s) forfeit(s) one (1) toss in that series. If a safety is tossed, opponent is awarded two (2) points and forfeits all remaining tosses in that series. If any interception/safety or penalty toss was on the fourth toss no other tosses are forfeited. 
     If a First Down is tossed, the tossing team/player(s) are/is awarded another four (4) tosses (a new set of downs). It does not matter if the toss the first, second, third or fourth. The new set of downs will start immediately. The playing field will be cleared of beanbags prior to starting new series. Limit three (3) first downs per Quarter. If a fourth First Down is tossed in one Quarter that will be considered a lost toss. Two Point Conversion is just that. Once a Touchdown is scored and you wish to attempt a two point conversion it must be made clear ahead of time that you are tossing for two points. Rules apply to two point conversion as for the extra point attempt. The team/player(s) that did not start the 4th Quarter will have the last toss unless Overtime is necessary. 
     The game is over when all four (4) quarters have been played and one opponent has more points than their opponent. 
     For overtime, in the event of a tie once all series have been used up by both Teams/Players, a coin flip will determine which team/player(s) tosses first. Each team/players will only toss two (2) beanbags per overtime period. All rules are in effect in overtime. Whichever team/player(s) scores first in overtime wins. 
     When a Touchdown is tossed the team/player(s) are/is awarded six (6) points. An Extra Point is awarded when the team/player(s) tosses an Extra Point beanbag onto the playing field. The beanbag must stay on the playing field. (Extra Point toss is a free toss and is not considered a Series toss.) If the Extra Point beanbag falls into a hole no point is awarded. (No points/penalties are awarded for a beanbag that falls into an opening when tossing an extra point beanbag.) 
     Two Points are awarded when a Player/team wishes to attempt a toss to receive two points after a Touch Down toss. The two point attempt MUST be made clear that is the attempt prior to tossing. If you fail to make the call prior to the toss, that is considered a lost toss and no points will be awarded. 
     When a Field goal is tossed the team/player(s) are/is awarded three (3) points. When a Safety is tossed the opposing team/player(s) are/is awarded two (2) points. Keep records of all games with the scorekeeper sheet. 
     The flow of the game will be described. Team(s)/Player(s) have four (4) downs to score points. Player tosses a beanbag shape beanbag towards the playing surface. The player(s) want to toss a beanbag into a reward opening (Touchdown/Field Goal/First Down) and avoid any hazard openings (Safety/Penalty/Interception). 
     Player(s) toss a beanbag one at a time. When a beanbag lands on the playing surface and does not enter an opening and/or falls off the playing surface, that is considered a down. Every beanbag tossed is a down. When a Touchdown is tossed (6) six points are awarded. The player then tosses an “Extra Point” beanbag to receive the One (1) point or two point conversion. (The Extra Point beanbag is not considered a toss). When a Field Goal is tossed three (3) points are awarded. When a First Down is tossed the player then receives a new set of downs, beginning when the First Down is tossed. If a Safety is tossed the player(s) forfeit(s) the remaining tosses in that series and the opponent receives two (2) points. If an Interception is tossed the player(s) forfeit the remaining tosses in that series. If a Penalty is tossed the Player(s) forfeit one toss in that series. 
     Once the Player(s) tosses all beanbags for his series the opponent then takes their turn. There are Four Downs per series. Three series equal one Quarter. There are four quarters per game unless overtime OT is necessary. 
     Without tossing any hazard openings, a Player(s) can toss up to twelve beanbags per quarter (unless a first down is tossed). 
     When the four quarters are over the Player(s) with the most points wins. There is a maximum of six series per quarter per team. 
     Any letter designations such as (a) or (b) etc. used to label steps of any of the method claims herein are step headers applied for reading convenience and are not to be used in interpreting an order or process sequence of claimed method steps. Any method claims that recite a particular order or process sequence will do so using the words of their text, not the letter designations. 
     Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. 
     Any trademarks listed herein are the property of their respective owners, and reference herein to such trademarks is generally intended to indicate the source of a particular product or service. 
     Although the inventions have been described and illustrated in the above description and drawings, it is understood that this description is by example only, and that numerous changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the inventions. Although the examples in the drawings depict only example constructions and embodiments, alternate embodiments are available given the teachings of the present patent disclosure.