Patent Publication Number: US-7896349-B2

Title: Ring and hook game apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is directed to a game wherein a ring is manually swung on a tether, with the ring having movement toward a hook, wherein the goal is to “catch” the ring upon the hook. More particularly, the present invention is a ring and hook game apparatus with a ring tethered to a cable that is pivotally connected to an overhead support or ceiling. Multiple different size hooks can be utilized, in addition to the possibility of different tether points with each different size hook having a different game-point value. The scoring method is similar to a volleyball game scoring method. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     It is well recognized in the prior art the benefit of playing games as an enjoyable method by which an individual can build their motor, eye/hand coordination, and mathematical skills. Most games have an element of chance and an element of competitive strategy that allows the player to win the game while utilizing a minimal amount of apparatus required to play the game. There are numerous approaches to playing games, although most of the games utilize a series of chance elements, typically being dice as the most common example of a chance element, thus the typical dice or die contains six sides, in that each of the sides normally has an indicia in the form of a letter or a particular number of dots indicating a number. The dice are then rolled by the player with the top side of the dice counting as letters or numbers that the player can utilize in an attempt to utilize the various indicated letters or numbers for some type of scoring scheme that eventually will lead to a game winner. There are many other types of chance elements such as such as horseshoes, darts, rings, and the like, wherein all of the aforementioned chance elements involve both an element of player skill and “luck” or chance in obtaining the desired score, position, or the like. The mix or ratio of skill to chance varies with the chance element, however, in any case with the more use of the chance element by the player, an increased content of skill usually is present giving the player an advantage in attempting to give the player a more desired result from the chance element. 
     In looking at the prior art in the chance element game area, specifically being concerned with ring type chance elements, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,019 to Arnette disclosed a tethered ring and hook game and kit. In Arnette, a brass ring is tethered to a ceiling by means of an eye screw mounted to the ceiling, further a ball-in-socket swivel is provided intermediate between the string and the eye screw to prevent the cord from being twisted as the ring is released toward the hook. A hook supported block in Arnette is adapted to be mounted to a wall by means of a dowel screw, Velcro fasteners, or a hook, and is mounted to the resilient (vibration dampening) block for receiving the ring, reference column 1, lines 66-69 and column 2, lines 6-17. Continuing in this area, looking at United States design Pat. No. US D288,828 to Romestan et al. disclosed is a design for a ring toss game target board having a ring tied to a string, and a target board with eleven hooks set at different game-point values. The target board in Romestan et al., is attached to a vertical board at an acute angle with the vertical board including peg holes to record player wins and losses, reference FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that in Romestan et al., there is no disclosure related to the mounting or the mounting position of the tether that supports the ring. 
     Yet further, in the prior art in the ring game area, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,200 to Loring et al. disclosed is a tethered ring game with hook configuration having a ring made of heavy material such as steel attached to a tether made of a stable and flexible material such as braided nylon cord. In Loring et al., the cord is attached to an overhead mounted pendulum base affixed to an overhead support or ceiling. The cord&#39;s length in Loring et al., is equal to the distance between the pendulum base and a wall mounted hook with the tethered ring removably engaged upon the wall mounted hook. In addition, Loring et al., modifies the standard open hook configuration by eliminating the shank and/or “goose neck” and varies the circumference of the actual circular hook portion, see in particular FIGS. 3 and 7b, with the goal of making the player skill required increase. Loring et al., has optionally the hook being mounted on the free end of an arm with the other end mounted to a shaft of a motor having a counterclockwise rotation with play being begun by starting the motor and timing the pendulous action of the ring to snare the hook to add a new challenge (by having the hook in motion) to landing or removably engaging the ring upon the hook, see FIG. 5. Further, in Loring et al., the counterclockwise rotation of the arm will disengage the ring and put it back in play, reference column 2, lines 18-26, lines 35-39, and lines 41-45. 
     Continuing, in the prior art for ring toss games, in looking at United States Design Pat. No. US D423,057 to Mooney that discloses a ring that is suspended upon a tether from an overhead support being removably engaged to a wall mounted hook, as this is a design patent there is no functional teaching other than what is disclosed in the Figures, thus there is no disclosure related to tether support position relative to the wall mounted hook, or the size and configuration of the ring and hook themselves. Continuing, in this same area of hook and ring game prior art and being similar to Romestan et al., in United States design Pat. No. US D285,811 to Donahoe disclosed is a tethered ring and hook game that is self contained including an integral vertical support for the hook board and an overhead support for the ring tether. Donahoe&#39;s hook board is similar in appearance to Romestan et al., by having a board face at an acute angle to the vertical support with a plurality of randomly positioned hooks. Further, in the design patent prior art area for hook and ring games, in United States design Pat. No. US D266,013 to Perry et al., that again with Perry et al., being a design patent, there is no teaching related to tether and ring positioning and the associated skill levels, being merely a pictorial representation of a tethered ring and a hook on a common structure. 
     Further, in the prior art for hook and ring games that are different versions of the aforementioned hook and ring games, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,498 to Mutschler et al., disclosed is a self contained hook and ring game that has a tether suspended form an overhead support wherein the ring has an extension rod or beam (or termed “second target rod 48”) from the outer ring circumference with the ring swinging on the tether in an attempt to engagably land on a plurality of hooks that are randomly mounted positionally on a vertical pole. This extension rod in Mutschler et al., has the effect of increasing the difficulty of engaging the ring upon the hook by acting as a blocking element to prevent other hook members from impalation of the ring, in addition the extension also can cause an uneven (unbalanced) flight path of the ring, further increasing the difficulty of engaging the ring upon the hook during the player throw of the ring. 
     Other options, in this area include scoring assistance components, such as electronic buzzers, lights, and the like, in looking at U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,942 to Flaherty, Jr. a ring and hook game is disclosed that utilizes a pair of hooks that a ring randomly removably engages, wherein the ring being engaged to the pair of hooks facilitates a closed electrical circuit as between the pair of hooks that that activates a light and a buzzer for scoring purposes. In Flaherty, Jr. as far as the tether and ring mounting on an overhead support and the hooks being positioned as against a vertical support, this hook and ring game is fairly conventional. Furthermore, in Flaherty, Jr. there is no teaching relative to positioning of the tether, ring or hooks in relation to the skill level required for playing of the game. Another prior art example for a hook and ring game with the enhancement of automated scoring apparatus is in U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,604 to Coats et al., that discloses a self contained hook and ring game in the form of an arcade type game apparatus. In Coats et al., there is some level of sophisticated scoring logic utilizing hardware and software for scoring multiple players, display of scores, having capability for coin operation for pay for play function. Further in Coats et al., there is a skill varying option to reposition the hook rotationally as against the vertical board, i.e. as being vertically upright (hook open side being upright), or the hook open side facing laterally outward, and also with the hook open side facing downward, or even with the hook continuously rotating, with the hook open end operating through a three hundred and sixty degree circumferential arc for the highest level of player difficulty, being somewhat similar to Loring et al, for the operation of hook movement, although Loring et al., optionally rotates the hook through a large radius arc, wherein Coats et al., optionally rotates the hook about its shank longitudinal axis. 
     What is needed is a game that allows a higher proportion of player strategy and options as opposed to the prior art concentrating mostly on player chance by typically initiating a chance element into motion and hoping for the best result. A number of the cited references abruptly change the playing game difficulty by initiating some structural change to a singular new higher level of difficulty, such as moving the hook to increase difficulty in scoring or engaging the ring upon the hook, as in Loring et al., and Coats et al., or by adding obfuscating structure to the ring to increase difficulty as in Mutschler et al., Only Coats et al., offers some incremental difficulty increase adjustment with the hook opening being right side up, the hook open on the side, or the hook open on the bottom for setting varying levels of difficulty in engaging the ring on the hook. Outside of the prior art hook and ring games controlling to some extent the chance element (or difficulty of engaging the ring upon the hook), via positioning of the hook rotationally or adding structure to the ring, there is little taught on the positioning of the ring tether in relation to the hook position, wherein without controlling this positioning there will be a large degree of variance in game playing engagements of the ring upon the hook and thus in difficulty level of scoring in the game. Thus, there needs to be a hook and ring game that gives criterion for the ring tethering position in relation to the hook, along with incremental adjustments possible for the hook for instance that would allow a player to “fine tune” the game difficulty level to a large number of desired levels of challenge, and that way the game would have a more controlled ability level to successfully engage the ring and the hook for all skill levels to enjoy. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Broadly, the present invention is a hook and ring game apparatus that includes a hook device having a mounting portion with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having a longitudinal axis spanning there-between that is positioned substantially transverse to a surface. Wherein the proximal end portion extends from the surface forming a proximal end portion and a surface interface, the hook device further including an arcuate portion extending from the distal end portion wherein the arcuate portion forms a sweep of about one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees terminating in a cantilever beam having a lengthwise axis. The cantilever beam approximately extending to the distal end portion, with the lengthwise axis forming an acute angle in relation to the surface, wherein the acute angle is adjacent to the surface interface. 
     Further included in the hook and ring game apparatus is a ring assembly having a flexible tether extension with a first end portion and a second end portion resulting in a defined length of the tether extension there-between, with the tether having an extension axis, the tether extension first end portion is freely suspended from a selected position in an overhead support. The tether extension second end portion is adjacent to a ring, forming a ring assembly that is operational to freely swing the ring through a pendulum type arc path of movement relative to the overhead support. The overhead support is placed in a selected position such that the extension length and ring further define a greater combined ring assembly length that spans from the hook proximal portion and surface interface to the selected position of the overhead support. The ring and hook are operational to form a chance element to removably engage one another as the ring moves through the arc path potentially coming into contact with the hook, with either the ring removably engaging the hook or not engaging the hook, wherein the ring will follow the arc path in a substantially reverse direction. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which; 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevation view of the hook and ring game apparatus, wherein the ring has passed through a pendulum type movement on the tether with the ring engaged on the hook indicating a score; 
         FIG. 2  shows a side elevation view of the hook adjacent to the surface with particulars of the hook, such as the hook selectable length extension, the hook radius, the hook arcuate section, and the hook cantilever portion; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of a plurality of hooks adjacent to the surface somewhat similar to the single hook in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows an end view of the surface with the plurality of hooks, basically being the end view of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side elevation view of the tether extension assembly; 
         FIG. 6  shows an end view of the ring; 
         FIG. 7  shows a side elevation view of the tether with the ring on the free or second end portion and the tether freely suspended from the overhead support on the first end portion; 
         FIG. 8  shows a side elevation view of the hook and ring game apparatus in a pre play gauging measurement to set up the game for play utilizing the span from the hook to the overhead support set via the length of the tether first end portion and tether second end portion combined with the ring; 
         FIG. 9  shows a use drawing of the hook and ring game apparatus being played with a player initiating game play by either releasing or tossing the ring that is on the tether that is freely suspended from the overhead support, wherein the ring will substantially pass through a pendulum type of movement toward the area of the hook; 
         FIG. 10  shows a use drawing of the hook and ring game apparatus being played with a player in game play that has released or tossed the ring that is on the tether that is freely suspended from the overhead support, wherein the ring is substantially passing through the pendulum type of movement toward the area of the hook; and 
         FIG. 11  shows a use drawing of the hook and ring game apparatus being played with a player in game play that has released or tossed the ring that is on the tether that is freely suspended from the overhead support, wherein the ring has engaged the hook for a score in the game. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMBER IN DRAWINGS 
     
         
           30  Hook and ring game apparatus 
           34  Surface 
           38  Hook device 
           42  Mounting portion for hook device  38   
           46  Proximal end portion of mounting portion  42   
           50  Distal end portion of mounting portion  42   
           54  Longitudinal axis of mounting portion  42   
           58  Interface between the proximal end portion  46  and the surface  34   
           62  Transverse positioning of longitudinal axis  54  to the surface  34   
           66  Arcuate portion of the hook device  38   
           70  Sweep of arcuate portion  66   
           74  Cantilever beam 
           78  Lengthwise axis of cantilever beam  74   
           82  Acute angle between the lengthwise axis  78  and the surface  34   
           86  Contiguous pattern positioning of the plurality of adjacently placed hook devices  38   
           90  Radius of arcuate portion  66  of hook device  38   
           94  Selectable length of the mounting portion  42   
           98  Ring assembly 
           102  Flexible tether extension 
           106  First end portion of flexible tether extension  102   
           110  Second end portion of flexible tether extension  102   
           114  Defined length of tether extension 
           118  Extension axis of tether extension 
           122  Free suspension of flexible tether extension  102   
           128  Selected position of the extension first end portion  106   
           132  Overhead support 
           136  Ring 
           140  Freely swinging of ring assembly  98   
           144  Pendulum type arc path of movement of ring assembly  98   
           148  Lateral pendulum type arc path of movement of ring assembly  98   
           152  Length of combined ring assembly  98   
           156  Span from hook proximal portion  46  and surface  34  interface  58  to the selected position  128  of the overhead support  132   
           160  Removable engagement of the ring  136  and the hook  38   
           164  Reverse direction of movement for the pendulum arc path  144  or  148   
           168  Angular relation between the extension axis  118  and the longitudinal axis  54   
           172  Adjacent positioning of the plurality of hook devices  38   
           176  Approximately perpendicular relationship between the overhead support  132  and the surface  34   
           180  Player 
           184  Grasping of ring by player  180   
           188  Releasing of ring by player  180   
           190  Floor 
           192  Distance of player  180  to surface  34   
           196  Height of hook  38  above floor  190   
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With initial reference to  FIG. 1  shown is a side elevation view of the hook and ring game apparatus  30 , wherein the ring  136  has passed through a pendulum type movement  144  on the tether  102  with the ring  136  engaged  160  on the hook  38  indicating a score. Continuing,  FIG. 2  shows a side elevation view of the hook  38  adjacent to the surface  34  with particulars of the hook  38 , such as the hook  38  selectable length extension  94 , the hook radius  90 , the hook arcuate section  66  through the arcuate sweep  70 , and the hook cantilever portion  74 . Further,  FIG. 3  shows a side elevation view of a plurality of hooks  38  adjacent to the surface  34  somewhat similar to the single hook  38  in  FIG. 2 . Next,  FIG. 4  shows an end view of the surface  34  with the plurality of hooks  38 , basically being the end view of  FIG. 3 , continuing  FIG. 5  shows a side elevation view of the tether extension assembly  102 , and  FIG. 6  shows an end view of the ring  136 . 
     Moving onward,  FIG. 7  shows a side elevation view of the tether  102  with the ring  136  on the free or second end portion  110  and the tether  102  freely suspended  122  from the overhead support  132  on the first end portion  106 . Next,  FIG. 8  shows a side elevation view of the hook and ring game apparatus  30  in a pre play gauging length  152  measurement  156  to set up the game for play utilizing the span  156  from the hook  38  to the overhead support  132  set via the length  152  of the tether first end portion  106  and tether second end portion  110  combined with the ring  136 . Further,  FIG. 9  shows a use drawing of the hook and ring game apparatus  30  being played with a player  180  initiating game play by either releasing  188  or tossing  188  the ring  136  that is on the tether  102  that is freely suspended  122  from the overhead support  132 , wherein the ring  136  from the ring assembly  98  will substantially pass in a swinging  140  manner through a pendulum type of movement  144  or  148  toward the area of the hook  38 . 
     Continuing,  FIG. 10  shows a use drawing of the hook and ring game apparatus  30  being played with a player  180  in game play that has released  188  or tossed  188  the ring  136  that is on the tether  102  that is freely suspended  122  from the overhead support  132 , wherein the ring  136  from the ring assembly  98  will substantially pass in a swinging  140  manner is substantially passing through the pendulum type of movement  144  or  148  toward the area of the hook  38 . Yet further,  FIG. 11  shows a use drawing of the hook and ring game apparatus  30  being played with a player  180  in game play that has released  188  or tossed  188  the ring  136  that is on the tether  102  that is freely suspended  122  from the overhead support  132 , wherein the ring  136  has engaged  160  the hook  38  for a score in the game, thereby completing the pendulum type of movement  144  or  148  from the ring assembly  98  that substantially passed in a swinging  140  manner for the ring  136  to removably engage  160  the hook  38 . 
     Broadly, in referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the present invention of the hook and ring game apparatus  30  is disclosed that includes a hook device  38 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 , with a mounting portion  42  having a proximal end portion  46  and a distal end portion  50  plus having a longitudinal axis  54  spanning there-between that is positioned substantially transverse  62  to the surface  34 . Wherein the proximal end portion  46  is extending from the surface  34  forming a proximal end portion and surface interface  58 . The hook device  38  again as best shown in  FIG. 2 , further includes an arcuate portion  66  extending from the distal end portion  50  wherein the arcuate portion  66  forms a sweep  70  of about one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees terminating in a cantilever beam  74  having a lengthwise axis  78 . The cantilever beam  74  approximately extending to the distal end portion  50 , wherein the lengthwise axis  78  forms an acute angle  82  in relation to the surface  34 , wherein the acute angle  82  is adjacent to the surface interface  58 . 
     Continuing, further included in the present invention of the hook and ring game apparatus  30  is the ring assembly  98 , in looking at  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7 , has a flexible tether extension  102  with the first end portion  106  and the second end portion  110  resulting in a defined length  114  of the tether extension  102  there-between. The tether  102  having an extension axis  118 , with the extension first end portion  106  being freely suspended  122  from a selected position  128  in an overhead support  132 . The extension second end portion  110  is adjacent to a ring  136 , with the ring assembly  98  being operational to freely swing  140  the ring  136  through a pendulum type  144  or  148  arc path of movement  140  relative to the overhead support  132 , as best shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11 . With the pendulum type  144  movement being a more nearly vertical when viewed from the player&#39;s  180  perspective and pendulum type movement  148  has a more nearly horizontal or lateral movement from the player&#39;s  180  perspective, such that if the player  180  throws or releases  188  the ring  136  toward the floor  190 , movement  144  will more likely occur and if the player  180  throws or releases  188  the ring  136  laterally, movement  148  will more likely occur, see  FIG. 9 , wherein it is the player&#39;s  180  discretion on whether to throw or release  188  the ring  136  either more vertically downward toward the floor  190  or more laterally. In referring in particular to  FIG. 8 , the overhead support  132  is placed in a selected position  128  such that the extension length  114  and ring  136  further define a greater combined ring assembly length  152  that spans  156  from the hook proximal portion and surface interface  58  to the selected position  128  of the overhead support  132 . The ring and hook game apparatus  30  is operational to form a chance element to removably engage  160  one another being the ring  136  onto the hook  38 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 11 , as the ring  136  moves or swings  140  through the pendulum type arc path  144  and/or  148  potentially coming into contact with the hook  38 , with the result of either the ring  136  removably engaging  160  the hook  38  or not engaging the hook  38 , wherein the ring  136  will follow the arc path  144  and/or  148  in a substantially reverse  164  direction of movement  140 . 
     Continuing, on the hook and ring game apparatus  30 , the extension axis  118  has an operational angular relation  168  to the longitudinal axis  54  of between about negative ninety degrees (−90°) to positive ninety degrees (+90°), as best shown in  FIG. 1 , however, with the angular relation  168  being preferably between about zero degrees (0°) to positive ninety degrees (+90°). Further, on the hook and ring game apparatus  30  the ring assembly length  152  is in the range of preferably about two (2) feet to thirty (30) feet, as best shown in  FIG. 7 . Optionally, the hook and ring game apparatus  30  can further comprise a plurality of hook devices  38 , positioned adjacent  172  to one another, as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Alternatively, on the plurality of hook devices  38  they can be positioned to be substantially adjacent to one another to form a contiguous pattern  86 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein the patterns can be in a single line as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or in a grid/matrix type of pattern, triangular, rectangular, or any other pattern that is used to provide scoring options for the chance element of the ring  136  and the hook  38  to removably engage  160  one another. Also, to further alter the chance element as previously described the hook device  38  can be modified by having an arcuate portion  66  radius  90  of a different length as best shown in  FIG. 2  dimensionally and  FIGS. 3 and 4  for showing different size radius  90  hook devices  38 . Continuing in this same area of optionally altering the hook device  38  for varying the chance element as previously described, the mounting portion of the hook device  38  can include the selectable length  94  between the proximal portion  46  and the distal portion  50  that results in the arcuate portion  66  being in a selected position through varying the distance of length  94  from the surface  34  that is operational to selectably vary the chance element removable engagement  160  percentage of the ring  136  removably engaging  160  the hook device  38 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  11 . 
     Methods of Use 
     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 9 through 11  for the use of the method of playing with the hook and ring game apparatus  30 , included are the steps of providing a hook and ring game apparatus  30  with a plurality of hook devices  38  each having a mounting portion  42  with a proximal end portion  46  and a distal end portion  50  with a longitudinal axis  54  spanning there-between that is positioned substantially transverse  62  to the surface  34 . Wherein the proximal end portion  46  extends from the surface  34  forming a proximal portion  46  and surface  34  interface  58 , each hook device  38  further including an arcuate portion  66  extending from the distal end portion  50  wherein the arcuate portion  66  forms a sweep  70  of about one-hundred and eighty (180) degrees terminating in a cantilever beam  74  having a lengthwise axis  78 . For each hook device  38 , each arcuate portion  66  having a radius  90  of a different length, each cantilever beam  74  approximately extending to the distal end portion  50 , also the lengthwise axis  78  forms an acute angle  82  in relation to the surface  34 , wherein the acute angle  82  is adjacent to the surface interface  58 , see  FIG. 2  for hook device  38  detail. 
     Further included in the hook and ring game apparatus  30 , is a ring assembly  98  having a flexible tether extension  102  with a first end portion  106  and a second end portion  110  resulting in a defined length  114  of the tether extension  102  there-between. The tether extension  102  having an extension axis  118 , the extension first end portion  106  is freely suspended  122  from a selected position  128  in an overhead support  132 , the extension second end portion  110  is adjacent to a ring  136 . The ring assembly  98  is operational to freely swing  140  the ring  136  through a pendulum type arc path of movement  144  relative to the overhead support  132 . The overhead support  132  is placed in a selected position  128  such that the extension length  114  and ring  136  further define a greater combined ring assembly length  152  that spans  156  from the hook proximal portion  46  and surface  34  interface  58  to the selected position  128  of the overhead support  132 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Further, in referring to  FIG. 1 , and in particular to the angular relation  168  is preferably set at between about zero degrees (0°) to positive ninety degrees (+90°). As is shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , optionally to depict a typical room with ceiling, wall, and floor, although room walls and ceiling are not necessary as the surface  34  and the overhead support  132  could be independently supported without the need for a ceiling or wall, however, in the referenced  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11  a conventional wall, floor, and ceiling are shown in an associated angular relationship  176  between the wall and ceiling that is approximately perpendicular. The ring  136  and hook  38  are operational to form a chance element to removably engage  160  one another as the ring  136  moves  140  through the arc path  144  and/or  148  potentially coming into contact with the hook  38 , with either the ring  136  removably engaging  160  the hook or not engaging the hook  38 , wherein the ring  136  will follow the arc path  144  and/or  148  in a substantially reverse direction  164  of movement  140 . 
     Continuing, a next step is in positioning a player  180  a selected distance  192  from the surface  34 , as best shown in  FIG. 9 , note that the selected distance of the player  180  from the surface  34  only requires that as a condition that the player  180  be able to grasp  184  the ring  136  as shown in  FIG. 9  as a subsequent step. Further, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the next step of releasing  188  the ring  136  by the player  180  generally toward the hook device  38  through the pendulum type  144  and/or  148  movement  140 , also see  FIG. 9 . Next, in looking at  FIG. 11 , a step of scoring for the player  180  if the ring  136  engages  160  any one of the plurality of hooks  38 , wherein the score is unique to each of the hooks  38 . 
     Alternatively, on the method of playing a hook and ring game apparatus  30  wherein the steps of grasping  184 , releasing  188 , and scoring are sequentially repeated then further adding a step of cumulating the player&#39;s  180  score based upon the scoring reaching a selected minimum score to determine an end to the method of playing. Another option would be on the method of playing a hook and ring game apparatus  30  wherein the steps of grasping  184 , releasing  188 , and scoring are sequentially repeated for each of a plurality of players  180 , wherein each player  180  is allowed a selected number of grasping  184  and releasing  188  cycles per a player&#39;s  180  turn based upon the player&#39;s  180  ability. 
     Continuing, optionally the method of playing the hook and ring game apparatus  30  can further add a step of cumulating each players  180  score and ending the method of playing based upon the scoring for a single player  180  reaching a selected minimum score. A further optional added step can be of an ending the method of playing based upon each player  180  having an equal number of turns and a highest scoring player  180  having a score at least a selected amount higher than the next highest scoring player  180 . Another optional step is of matching the selected number of grasping  184  and releasing  188  cycles per the player&#39;s  180  turn for each player  180  and a highest scoring player  180  having a score at least a selected amount higher than the next highest scoring player  180 . 
     The preferred rules for playing the hook and ring game apparatus  30  are as follows, however, deviations from these preferred rules would be acceptable for various scoring and game rules as desired to alter the ease or difficulty at which the game is played. Starting with the foul line where the player  180  is positioned at a distance  192  from the surface  34 , wherein this foul line distance is set at about twelve feet, however, a distance more or less that twelve feet would be acceptable as long as the player  180  can grasp  184  the ring  136 . The foul line distance only applies at the releasing  188  of the ring  136  by the player  180 . A preferred clearance width for playing the game would be about four feet that is in a dimension transverse to distance  192 . Further, the preferred height  196  of the hook  38  above the floor  190  is about fifty inches. The number of players  180  can be from a single player  180  to any number of players  180  to teams of players  180 . Beginning players  180  can get five swings per turn with the more experienced players  180  getting three swings per turn. A score is defined when the ring  136  engages  160  the hook  38 . 
     Further, in the preferred manner of game play for the hook and ring game apparatus  30 , the game winner is the first to score fifteen points, with the winner having to win by at least two points in the case of multiple players  180 . There is always an equal number of turns for each player  180  or team as the case may be. Thus, whichever player or team releases  188  secondly, they shall have the last turn in the game. If a player  180  or team reaches fifteen points and the opponent has a turn remaining, the player  180  or team reaching fifteen points first does not win unless the opponent scores zero on their last turn. In the case of team play only the next player  180  of the team gets the final turn, the entire team does not get a final turn. If the opponent scores three points or less on their final turn, the game continues until one player  180  or team is two or more points ahead after the final turn. During the turn where the first player  180  or team scores fifteen points, the number of swings that it took during that turn to reach fifteen points is counted and the opponent with the final turn gets only that number of swings. For instance, if the player  180  reaching fifteen points took two swings to reach fifteen points on the last turn, the opponent only gets two swings on the final turn. The game is written for using a single hook  38  wherein an engagement  160  of the ring  136  upon the hook  38  is a single point for scoring purposes. However, as follows in Tables 1 and 2 below, different size hooks  38  can include different radius  90  sizes and different lengths  94 , that can alter the chance element percentages of removably engaging  160  as between the ring  136  and the hook  38  as best shown in  FIG. 2  dimensionally and in  FIGS. 3 and 4  using a plurality of hooks  38 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , the following Table 1 values are the preferred dimensions of the hooks, all dimensions in inches; 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Radius 90 
                 Cantilever beam 74 length 
                 Length 94 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Large hook 38 
                 0.43 
                 1.5 
                 1.62 
               
               
                 Medium hook 38 
                 0.35 
                 0.87 
                 1.06 
               
               
                 Small hook 38 
                 0.25 
                 0.62 
                 0.87 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Table 2 details out the chance element variance based upon empirical testing by varying the length  94 , in inches, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with the percentages representing the percent engagement  160  of the ring  136  onto the hook  38 , wherein three different individuals each made one-hundred throws or releases  188 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , per percentage data point below, resulting in three-hundred throws  188  per percentage given, for a total of two-thousand seven-hundred data points for the entire test data; 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 % (length 94) 
                 % (length 94) 
                 % (length 94) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Large hook 38 
                  50 (2.375) 
                 52 (1.625) 
                 36 (0.75) 
               
               
                 Medium hook 38 
                 24 (1.56) 
                 26 (1.31)  
                 18 (1.06) 
               
               
                 Small hook 38 
                 24 (1.25) 
                 6 (0.87) 
                  2 (0.75) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     It can be observed from the data that generally the larger the hook, the higher the engagement  160  percentage of the ring  136  onto the hook  38 , also generally the longer the length  94  the higher the engagement  160  percentage of the ring  136  onto the hook  38 , thus these two axioms form the basis upon which to make the game harder or easier to play, depending upon the skill level or experience of the players  180 . Furthermore, in using a combination of different size hooks  38  adjacent  86  to one another on the surface  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  for instance as previously described would enable differing chance element percentages to be sought after in playing the same game in going along with assigning different point values to the different size hooks  38 , such as lower point values for the higher chance element percentages and higher point values for the lower chance element percentages. In addition, by varying the length  94  could also lead to different point levels awarded for engagement  160  with the longer lengths  94  having lower point vales as having a higher point values for shorter lengths  94 . Another, even further option for altering the chance element percentages would be to have the plurality of hooks  38  arranged in different patterns, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as previously described, for instance in a grid matrix, triangular patterns, angles linear patterns, and the like. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Accordingly, the present invention of a hook and ring game apparatus  30  has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. However, the method of playing the hook and ring game apparatus  30  can have a number of modifications in scoring, and rules for play by mutual agreement of the players. It should be appreciated, though; that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so modifications and changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.