Patent Publication Number: US-2017354855-A1

Title: Floating throwable implement game apparatus and related devices

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/348,899 entitled, “Bucketball” filed Jun. 11, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to game apparatuses and more particularly is related to a floating throwable implement game apparatus and related devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Various types of games involve the use of objects which are thrown to a target, such as, for example, throwing bean bags or balls into cups, nets, or other targets. These games include well-known games such as bean bag toss, cornhole toss, horseshoes, and tailgate toss. In these games, the user generally stands a distance from a target which is positioned stationary on the ground surface. The user then throws the object and is assessed a score based on where the object lands relative to the target. These types of games have particular popularity at sporting events, picnics, and other outdoor settings. Some ground-based games have been adapted to be played in water settings, such as within a pool, a lake, an ocean, or another body of water. However, it can be difficult to simply use a ground-based game in a water setting, since most ground-based games involve a target which sits in a stationary position on the ground, which is generally difficult to achieve in a body of water. This problem, among various other complicating factors of using a traditionally ground-based game in a water setting, limit the success of being able to play a game in a water setting, which in turn, can limit the overall enjoyment of recreational activities in the water setting. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for use with throwable implements. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A base has a central portion and a peripheral edge. A first container is positioned on the central portion of the base. A plurality of second containers is positioned along the peripheral edge of the base and radially about the first container, wherein the plurality of second containers are smaller than the first container, and wherein an upper rim edge of the first container is positioned higher than upper rim edges of the plurality of second containers. 
     The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a floating throwable implement game apparatus for use within a body of water. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A base has a circular footprint, wherein the base has a central portion and a peripheral edge, wherein the base is floatable within a body of water. A first container is positioned on the central portion of the base. A non-water-tight basket is positioned within the first container. A plurality of second containers is positioned radially exterior of the first container and spaced equidistantly along the peripheral edge of the base and radially, wherein each of the plurality of second containers is smaller than the first container and the non-water-tight basket. A plurality of backboards is included, where each is positioned substantially vertically between the first container and at least one of the second containers. A plurality of throwable implements is included, where each is manually throwable by a user into at least one of the first container, the non-water-tight basket, and at least one of the plurality of second containers. 
     The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a floating apparatus for use within a body of water. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A base has a circular footprint with a central portion and a peripheral edge, wherein the base is floatable within a body of water. A first container is positioned at least partially within a first cavity of the base at the central portion of the base. A cover is attachable to the first container. A plurality of second containers is positioned at least partially within second cavities, respectively, of the base, the plurality of second containers positioned radially exterior of the first container and spaced equidistantly along the peripheral edge of the base and radially, wherein the plurality of second containers are smaller than the first container, and wherein the plurality of second containers are sized to receive at least one of a beverage cup and a beverage can therein. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustration of an apparatus for use with throwable implements, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is top side view illustration of the apparatus for use with throwable implements in a water configuration, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 3  is top side view illustration of the apparatus for use with throwable implements with the cover secured to the first container, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevated side-view illustration of the base, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional illustration of the base, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an elevated side view of one of the backboards used with the apparatus, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustration of the second container, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8-9  are top and side view illustrations, respectively, of one type of throwable implement, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of the first container and  FIG. 11  is an illustration of the cover used with the first container, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are illustrations of the basket and the handle for use with the basket, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view illustration of the base of the apparatus, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view illustration of the apparatus in a position being supported by the legs, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is an apparatus and related devices which are used to play a game with throwable implements, such as balls, within a body of water, such as a pool, a lake, an ocean, or another body of water. Commonly, the apparatus will be used to facilitate a game which is played in above or below-ground pools, where the participants of the game are located within the pool and nearby the apparatus. As will be discussed in full detail further, a user of the apparatus may toss small balls into one or more containers that are positioned on a floating base, sitting on the top surface of the water. Depending on where the balls land within the base and the buckets, the players may be assessed points to determine a winner of the game. When the apparatus is not in use during an active game, it may provide secondary utility by acting as a floating article receptacle which can be used for storage of items, such as pool toys, ice for beverages, and/or canned or cupped beverages, among other articles. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustration of an apparatus  10  for use with throwable implements, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the apparatus  10  includes a base  20  having a central portion  22  and a peripheral edge  24 . The base  20  may be the supporting structure which holds other structures and components of the apparatus  10 . For example, a first container  40  may be positioned on the central portion  22  of the base  20  such that it is generally positioned at the center of the base  20 . A plurality of second containers  50  is positioned along the peripheral edge  24  of the base  20  and radially about the first container  40 . The plurality of second containers  50  is smaller in size than the first container  40 . Further, an upper rim edge  42  of the first container  40  is positioned higher than upper rim edges  52  of the plurality of second containers  50 . 
       FIG. 2  is top side view illustration of the apparatus  10  for use with throwable implements in a water configuration, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically,  FIG. 2  shows the components of the apparatus in a non-exploded view. It is noted that the first container  40  in  FIG. 2  is shown partially cut away to provide clarity in disclosure of the other components of the apparatus  10 . With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the first container  40  may be designed to fit within a first cavity  26  of the base  20 , which at least partially receives the bottom of the first container  40 . The specific dimensions of the first cavity  26  may vary depending on the design of the apparatus  10 . Similarly, the second containers  50  may each be at least partially positioned within one of a number of second cavities  28 , which are positioned along a peripheral edge  24  of the base  20 . When the first and second containers  40 ,  50  are positioned within their respective cavities  26 ,  28 , the containers  40 ,  50  may be retained to the base  20  and prevented from inadvertent movements relative to the base  20 , as is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The apparatus  10  also includes a basket  60  which is positionable within the first container  40 . The basket  60  may be a non-water-tight basket, in that, it is capable of allowing water to flow through the sidewalls and/or base of the basket  60 . In this way, the basket  60  can be used for collection and/or disbursement of the throwing implements while users are in a pool or other body of water without collecting the water itself. When the basket  60  is positioned within the first container  40 , it may sit at a height that does not obstruct the upper rim of the first container  40 , such that a cover  70  ( FIG. 1 ) can be affixed to the top of the first container  40 . 
       FIG. 3  is top side view illustration of the apparatus  10  for use with throwable implements with the cover  70  secured to the first container  40 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cover  70  may affix to the first container  40  using a variety of designs, such as being threaded on to the upper rim of the first container  40 . In this position, the cover  70  may enclose the interior of the first container  40  and the basket  60 , which may be desirable when the apparatus  10  is not in use. For example, the first container  40  can be sealed for long-term storage by the cover  70 , which can be secured using threads similar to plastic bottles, screws, or other types of fasteners. As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the cover  70  is removed from the first container  40 , the basket  60  may be removable from the first container  40  using a handle  62  connected to an upper edge of the basket  60 . 
     The apparatus  10  may further include a plurality of backboards  80 , each of which is positioned between the first container  40  and at least one of the second containers  50 . This positioning of the backboards is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , where the backboards  80  are connected to the base  20  at a position between the first and second containers  40 ,  50 . The backboards  80  may be used to help a user direct a throwable implement  90  into the second containers  50 , similar to the use of a backboard in basketball. Generally, the throwable implements  90  may be small balls which are manufactured from a positively buoyant material(s), such as polyethylene or any pool-safe buoyant material, however any type of throwable implement may be used with the apparatus  10 . When a user throws one of the throwable implements  90  towards the second container  50 , it may contact the face of the backboard  80  first before falling into one of the second containers  50 . 
     The base  20  is a floatable unit which is designed to float on the surface of a body of water  12 , as is shown in  FIG. 2 . To achieve floatation, the base  20  may be manufactured, in whole or part, from materials that float on water, such as foams or air-filled materials. Additionally, the shape of the base  20  may provide it with buoyancy under the same design principles of watercraft buoyancy. The floatability of the base  20  may allow the entire apparatus  10  to remain afloat in a body of water, even when the throwable implements or other objects are contained within the first and second containers  40 ,  50 . It is noted that the general footprint of the apparatus  10  may be circular, in that, the base  20  has a circular outline with the first container  40  positioned substantially at a center thereof. The second containers  50  may then be disposed radially about the first container  40  and spaced equidistantly along the peripheral edge  24  of the base  20 . The circular footprint of the apparatus  10  may allow it to be used by users positioned at any radial angle thereof, such that numerous users positioned about the apparatus  10  can use it equally without limitation. Furthermore, the circular footprint of the apparatus  10  may allow it to be used without limitation when it rotates or spins while sitting on the water surface. 
     The apparatus  10 , as described herein, may be used to facilitate various games. For example, one type of game may be played by any number of users who take turns tossing or throwing the throwable implements  90  to the base  20  with the goal of landing one or more of the throwable implements  90  within the first container  40  or one of the second containers  50 . Various points may be awarded to the users depending on which of the containers  40 ,  50  they their throwable implement  90  ends up in. For example, a single point may be awarded to a player who successfully lands a throwable implement  90  into the first container  40 , whereas three points may be awarded for successfully landing a throwable implement  90  into one of the second containers  50 . The first container  40  is larger in size that the second containers  50 , as it is a large, main bucket whereas each of the second containers  50  are smaller in size, generally about the size of a cup holder. The first player who successfully reaches a predetermined score wins the game. Additional peripheral items may be used to enhance the ease of play, such as, for example, the basket  60  which is removable from the apparatus  10  to return throwable implement  90  to the players at the end of a game or the end of a round of the game. It is noted that many variations of the above-described game can be implemented, including those involving different scoring regiments, different difficulty levels, and the use prizes, such as using food and/or beverages as rewards to users, all of which are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 4-13  are various, detailed illustrations of the components of the apparatus  10  described relative to  FIGS. 1-3 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular,  FIG. 4  is an elevated side-view illustration of the base  20  and  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional illustration of the base  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the first cavity  26  of the base  20 , which is positioned at the central region  22  of the base  20 , may be sized significantly larger than each of the second cavities  28  which hold the second containers. In one example, the first cavity  26  may have a size that approximately accommodates a diameter of a conventional plastic 5-gallon barrel, whereas the second cavities  28  may be sized to substantially accommodate the diameter of a conventional 12-oz beverage can or disposable 16-oz plastic cup. As can be seen, the height of the first cavity  26  and the second cavities  28  may be different depending on the design of the apparatus  10 . In one example, it may be preferable to have the top of the second containers  50  sit substantially flush with a top surface  21 A of the base  20 , which may require the height of the second cavities  28  to be specifically selected. In contrast, the height of the upper rim of the first container  40  may generally sit well above the top surface  21 A of the base  20 , such that the depth of the first cavity  26  need only be sized to ensure the first container  40  is held successfully within the base  20 . 
     Each of the plurality of second cavities  28  may optionally have a bottom floor  30  with at least one hole  32  formed therein. If included, the hole  32  may extend between an upper surface of the bottom floor  30  of the second cavity  28  and a bottom surface of the base  21 B. The hole  32  may be useful in allowing any water which enters the second cavity  28  to drain therefrom. The first cavity  26  may or may not have a similar hole, depending on the design. Each of the plurality of second cavities  28  may also include at least one lateral cutout  34  of the base  20 , positioned along a sidewall  36  of each of the plurality of second cavities  28 . The lateral cutouts  34  may aid in allowing the manual removal of the plurality of second containers  50  from the plurality of second cavities  28 , respectively, which may be especially helpful when the rim of the second containers  50  is substantially flush with the top surface  21 A of the base  20 . As shown, the lateral cutouts  36  may be accessible from the top surface  21 A of the base  20 , such that a user can put their finger in the lateral cutout  34  and lift the second container ( FIGS. 1-3 ) out of the base  20 . Each of the second cavities  28  may include any number of lateral cutouts  34 . Also shown in  FIGS. 4-5  are the slots  38  formed within the base  20  which are used to hold the backboards ( FIGS. 1-3 ) in place. As can be seen, the backboards can be inserted into the slots  38 , such that each of the backboards is held in a substantially vertical position within the base  20 . 
       FIG. 6  is an elevated side view of one of the backboards  80  used with the apparatus  10 . As can be seen, the backboard  80  has a substantially planar outer surface which may be used for directing the throwable implements against. With reference to  FIGS. 1-6  together, when the bottom of the blackboard  80  is positioned within the slot  38  within the base  20 , the front planar outer surface of the backboard  80  may be positioned substantially tangential with at least one of the plurality of second containers  50  positioned within the second cavity  28 , which allows for a rebounded throwable implement to be directed into the second container  50  instead of away from the second container  50 . Other variations of the backboards  80  may also be used, including where the backboards  80  are affixed to the base  20  or the first container  40  using different designs, or where the backboards have other shapes and/or positions. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view illustration of the second container  50 . As shown, the second container  50  may have a slight lip  54  positioned on the upper edge  52  thereof. This lip  54  may assist with allowing a user to manually remove the second container  50  from the second cavity  28 , in combination with the lateral cutouts  34 .  FIGS. 8-9  are top and side view illustrations, respectively, of one type of throwable implement  90 . In this design, the throwable implement  90  may be a spherical or substantially spherical ball with symmetrical axial ridges. The throwable implement  90  may also include other surface texturing to increase a user&#39;s grip when it is wet. 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of the first container  40  and  FIG. 11  is an illustration of the cover  70  which can be used with the first container  40 . As can be seen, the cover  70  may be sized to fit snugly on the first container  40 , to seal the interior space of the first container  40  when it is not in use. The cover  70  may have a handle  72  to aid in removal of the cover  70 . If included, the handle  72  may be pivotally connected to the cover  70 . Conversely, the cover  70  may include indentations, partitions, or similar designs in lieu of a handle  72 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  are illustrations of the basket  60  and the handle  62  for use with the basket  60 . As shown, the basket  60  may have a height that is less than the height of the first container  40 , which allows the basket  60  to sit below the upper rim of the first container  40  when it is positioned therein. The handle  62  of the basket  60  may pivotally connect to the basket  60  and it may have a semi-circular shape such that it can be stowed on the top edge of the basket  60  during a game or when the cover  70  is positioned on the first container  40 . When the basket  60  is to be removed, the handle  62  may be pivoted upwards such that the basket  60  can be lifted from the first container  40 . 
       FIG. 14  is a bottom view illustration of the base  20  of the apparatus  10 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the base  20  may include leg fixtures  84 , which can be used to affix legs to the underside of the base  20 , as is shown in  FIG. 15 , which is a side view illustration of the apparatus  10  in a position being supported by the legs  86 . The legs  86  may be elongated rods or similar structures, formed from plastic or other materials, which can be affixed to the base  20  using the leg fixtures, which may be threaded holes or similar structures to receive the ends of the legs  86 . The underside of the base  20  also includes stowing cavities  88  or slots for the legs  86 , which allows the legs  86  to be stored within the base  20  when they&#39;re not in use. While the apparatus  10  is floatable on water, it may also be supported by legs when in water, such as to keep the apparatus  10  stationary when it is used within a shallow pool, like a kiddie pool. Alternatively, the apparatus  10  may be used with the legs  86  to support the base  20  when the apparatus  10  is not used on water. For example, the legs  86  allow supporting the base  20  at a predetermined height when it is used on a ground surface for land-based games. The stowing cavities  88  of the base  20  allow the legs  86  to be conveniently stored with the apparatus  10  when the legs  86  are not required. 
     It is noted that while the apparatus  10  may provide beneficial uses in facilitating games, it can also have other utilities. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , directly under the basket  60  and within the first container  40  there may be space for storage of various items, such as drinks, ice, game accessories, or any convenient item. Additionally, the apparatus  10  can be used as a floating beverage receptacle for pools, with the second containers  50  acting as cup holders and the first container  40  acting as a cooler or beverage storage compartment. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.