Patent Publication Number: US-6669200-B1

Title: Disc toss game

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of our utility patent application Ser. No. 09/851,048, filed May 8, 2001, entitled “DISC TOSS GAME,” which was based upon Provisional Application Serial No. 60/202,965, filed May 10, 2000, and entitled “DISC TOSS GAME”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an improved disc-toss game assembly which incorporates a receiver with an open top disc-receiving target surface comprising an upright tubular member or standpipe positioned centrally within an elevated height adjustable false bottom. The object of the game is for the individual participants to stand at a predetermined distance from the target box or receiver and then throw and/or toss the individual discs toward the target, with the primary objective being to have the disc enter the open top of the tubular target, and with the secondary objective being to have the disc remain within the confines of the walls of the target box. 
     The tubular member extends vertically upward from a positionably adjustable intermediate supporting surface or false bottom in the receiver, the surface being adapted to receive or otherwise retain those discs which are tossed and come close but fail to enter the tubular target. In other words, they are nevertheless sufficiently close to be within the area of the intermediate surface. The bottom of the receiver tube is normally cylindrical but may be frusto-conical in configuration and dimensioned so that individual receivers may be stacked, one upon the other. The configuration of the receiver box as well as the configuration of the receiver tube may be configured and dimensioned to accommodate telescopic stacking. 
     In the past, various disc-toss games have been proposed and utilized. As employed herein, the term “disc ” is used in a comprehensive sense, and is intended to include both disc-shaped objects as well as toroidal configured objects. The individual discs are typically solid plastic and may be covered with a soft, resilient coating in order to permit convenient handling as well as to avoid the use of edged objects which are tossed. Such discs and rings have been resiliently covered and employed in games in the past. 
     Ring-toss games have been proposed wherein the disc receiving standpipe is positioned with an axis angularly disposed relative to the vertical axis. The present arrangement provides significant advantages to enhance the play of the disc-toss game as well as to provide significant advantages in stacking and storing those individual components which comprise the game. A further advantageous feature of the present invention which enhances the play of the game by providing a variable range of difficulty is the utilization of a positionably adjustable support for both the standpipe and false bottom in the receiver. By way of explanation, the standpipe is mounted centrally of the false bottom, and its upper edge surface provides an opening into which the discs are tossed, with the elevation of this opening being adjustable to vary the degree of difficulty of the game. Essentially, the elevation of the opening may be at the same level as the surrounding wall, or alternatively may be conveniently positioned at a lower elevation so as to provide a lesser degree of difficulty for the player in having the disc actually enter the top of the standpipe. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a disc-toss game utilizes receivers with an adjustably positioned false bottom which includes a vertical upright standpipe target with an open disc or ring receiving top. Additionally, the receiver utilizes a positionably adjustable intermediate supporting surface through which the conical-tubular target or standpipe extends. This surface or false bottom is adapted to receive and hold those discs which are tossed and drop close to the open-top target, but which fail to enter the target pipe. In order to provide greater convenience in storing the game device when not in use, the entire receiver assembly may be arranged to be telescopically stackable, thereby reducing the area and volume required for storage. 
     Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved disc-toss game arrangement, which includes the feature of receivers having a positionably adjustable false bottom with a vertically disposed standpipe target mounted within the assembly. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved disc-toss game arrangement which includes a plurality of receiver assemblies, each being provided with a vertically disposed open-top standpipe to function as a receiver and target receiver for the discs being tossed by the game participants, and with a positionably adjustable false bottom for retaining discs which actually enter the receiver but fail to enter the open top standpipe. 
    
    
     Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the accompanying specification and drawings. 
     IN THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a stackable telescoping receiver assembly, and showing the open-top standpipe receiver protruding along a vertical axis and showing an exploded view, a typical ring and/or disc used by the participants; 
     FIG. 2 is a vertical, sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the receiver assembly; and. 
     FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating the suggested spacing between individual, cubical receiver cubes and individuals falling within various age groups. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and with particular attention being directed to FIG. 1, the receiver box or assembly generally designated  10 , comprises a generally square tube in the form of a modified receiver cube member  11  having an open upper edge  12  along with lower wall portions  13 — 13  of rectangular configuration, and an axis extending therebetween. A positionably adjustable intermediately disposed false bottom or support  15  is provided through which extends a target standpipe  16 , this being a tubular member with an open top as at  17  and a vertical axis extending therethrough. Two individual disc designs are shown in exploded disposition such as at  18  and  19 , with these discs being suitable alternatives for use as ring or disc toss members. Preferably, discs  18  and/or  19  of solid plastic and may be coated with a suitable resilient coating such as a silicone rubber, durable and rigid plastisol, or the like. The outer peripheral circular edges are preferably chamfered so as to facilitate entry into the opening  17  and to reduce the presence of sharp edges. The individual discs may be in either a planar or disc form such as disc  18  or alternatively in toroidal form such as member  19 . It has been determined through testing that the diameter of the disc members  18  or  19  is preferably two-thirds of that of the diameter of the opening “D” of standpipe  16 . By way of specific example, opening  17  preferably has a diameter of three inches, while the diameter “D” of the discs  18  or  19  is two inches. Also, suitable lateral dimensions for the interior of receiver  10  is 9 inches for use in combination with the standpipe described above. With continued attention being directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the upper edge of square or cube member  11  has upper and lower annular peripheral edges  14  and  14 A, with upper edge  14  being shown in a coplanar relationship with the upper edge  17  of standpipe  16 . As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, means are provided to positionably adjust the elevation of support  15  and accordingly standpipe  16 , so as to permit the open top of standpipe  16  to be positioned in recessed relationship relative to the plane of upper edge  14 . This feature provides an advantage in modifying the degree of difficulty, thus challenging the skill level of the individual players. An errant disc striking edge  14  is less likely to fall within the confines of the standpipe, and therefore drop onto the surface of support  15 . In order to assist players in improving their level skill, the outer surface of target standpipe  16  is preferably made in a color which contrasts with that of receiver cube member  11 . 
     With attention now being directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the configuration of member  11  may be made in the form of a truncated pyramid such that the lateral dimensions of the outer shell or shroud of receiver  11  converge toward the top, and therefore are greater at the base than at the top. The base portion of such a receiver will telescopically engage the top portion  12  of a second receiver, with the expanded dimension being sufficient to permit stacking. In addition, the configuration of standpipe  16  may be conical, so as to enclose and telescopically mate with another. Also, suitable hand-gripping openings may be provided. 
     With attention now being directed to FIG. 4 of the drawings, recommended spacing between individuals and targets are arranged with reference to the age of the participants. For those of the ages between 5 and 10 years, a spacing of 10 feet has been recommended and has been found suitable and manageable for the enjoyment of such participants. Also, for such an age group, it is preferable that the top of the standpipe be one-half inch below the top edge surfaces of the receiver box. Such spacing, and positioning of the standpipe provides an opportunity for both a challenge and a reward for the participants. As indicated, the individual participants will stand at the distance from the target cube, and then toss the disc from the standing position toward and into the target. Those discs, which are accurately tossed, will enter the opening  17  of vertical standpipe  16 , and will provide a predetermined count or score for the participant. Also, for those discs which fail to enter the opening  17 , but nevertheless are sufficiently close to be retained on intermediate support surface  15  will provide a lesser point score for the participant tossing the disc. 
     The false bottom may be held in place by suitable fasteners, such as by slidable fasteners which are inserted and removed by finger pressure. In this connection, canoe-type fasteners or tubular fasteners with spring-biased radially extending spherical stops may be employed. Also, if desired, typical wood screws or the like also provide a satisfactory means for adjustably positioning the false bottom. Any of these fasteners may extend inwardly to support the false bottom along its underside surface, or alternatively, mating bores may be formed inwardly from the outer edges of support  15  to receive the supporting removable rod-like members. 
     In the following Table I, typical and/or representative dimensions for a generally universally utilized system are given. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 TABLE I-A 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Component 
                 Recommended Dimensions 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Square target 
                 9″ (inner dimension) 
               
               
                   
                 box receiver 
                 5.5″ (height dimension); 
               
               
                   
                 Standpipe 
                 3″ I.D. 
               
               
                   
                 Disc 
                 .5″ × 2″ diameter. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 TABLE I-B 
               
               
                 Elevation of Tube Mouth: 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Elevation Relative to 
               
               
                   
                 Participant 
                 Outer Walls 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Beginner 
                 1″ recess 
               
               
                   
                 Intermediate 
                 .5″ recess 
               
               
                   
                 Advanced 
                 flush. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In some instances, it may be desirable to utilize different dimensional recesses, with recess dimensions of one-quarter inch and one-half inch for intermediate and beginner participants, respectively, having been found to be useful. 
     As indicated above, the discs are preferably coated with resilient coating, and this coating may be color-coded in order to enable the participants to more readily identify the participants responsible for tossing of the individual discs. 
     Various modifications may be made in the configuration of the arrangement illustrated here without departing from the invention.