Patent Publication Number: US-2022233945-A1

Title: Disc and method for playing a game on ice

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a game that can be played on ice. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, kit, and method that include a set of discs and instructions for playing the game using the discs. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     People who ice fish tend to spend a substantial amount of time waiting for the tip-up to move, confirming a fish has been hooked. One option for passing the time while remaining accessible to the fishing tackle is to play a game on the ice. People play cards, cornhole, hockey, catch, and an array of other customized activities. It is desirable to pass that waiting time in a fun way. Therefore, what is needed is a game that can be played while ice fishing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a game suited for playing on ice but not necessarily limited thereto. This object is accomplished with the present invention, which is a kit including game pieces and instructions for playing the game. The invention includes the method of playing the game using the game pieces that comprise the apparatus of the invention. The game pieces are discs each of which is configured to slide on the ice, including a perimeter shaped to enable passage of the disc over impediments to sliding that may exist on the ice surface, such as ice chunks and upheavals but not limited thereto. Specifically, the perimeter of each disc is partially or completely tapered on its upper and lower surfaces. The tapering may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The tapering may be characterized as beveling but not limited to that specifically. Each disc is ordinarily round but the invention is not limited to that specific disc shape. The disc may be made of a nonmetallic material such as a viscoelastic material that may be a plastic or a hard rubber material. The discs may be colored to represent two or more different sets of two or more discs, or they may be otherwise designed to represent the at least two sets. 
     The game is played using instructions provided, but players may alter rules of the game if they wish. The primary instructions for the game include first include creating a first hole in the ice and a second hole in the ice spaced from the first hole. Next, the disc sets are divided evenly among players of the game. There can be one or more players on a team and two or more teams. The players attempt to slide their respective discs into the second hole while positioned near the first hole. Points are awarded for success in sliding discs into the hole and for proximity to the hole. Points can be offset when two or more players have success getting their discs into the hole. Points awarded for proximity to the hole can also be offset. A measuring tape may be included with the game kit to assist the players in determining disc proximity accurately. The method is repeated with a return to the first hole. The number of rounds of the game is selectable. The winner is named based on the total number of points attained. 
     Each of the first hole and the second hole extends partially into the ice but not completely through the ice. The first hole and the second hole are spaced apart by a desirable distance. For example, they may be spaced apart by about 33 feet but not limited thereto. The holes may be produced using an ice auger of the type used to make ice fishing holes. Other hole formation means may be used. The game pieces including the discs, the measuring tape(s), an optional scorecard, and a set of game instructions may be stored in a kit for easy transport. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the game pieces of the game kit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a representation of the playing field established by the first hole and the second hole spaced from the first hole. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the representation of the playing field with game discs dispersed thereon. 
         FIG. 4  comprising  FIGS. 4A-4H  shows various played disc positions and the associated points assigned for those plays made. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the disc of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the disc of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A kit  10  of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  includes a plurality of game pieces. The game pieces include a first set of discs  12 , a second set of discs  14 , a measuring tape  16 , and an optional scorecard  18 . The first set of discs  12  and the second set of discs  14  are shown as each including two discs:  20  and  22  in the first set  12 ; and  24  and  26  in the second set  14 . However, it is to be understood that the kit  10  may include more than two sets of discs and each disc set may include more than two discs. The discs  20  and  22  of the first set  12  have an appearance distinct from an appearance of the discs  24  and  26  of the second set  14  so that players of the game can distinguish their respective discs from one another when on ice  28  represented in  FIG. 2 . For example, the first set  12  may comprise blue discs  20  and  22 , while the second set  14  may comprise red discs  24  and  26 . Other disc distinctions are possible. The kit  10  includes a set of instructions  30  with rules for playing a game using the game pieces. 
     The set of instructions  30  describe steps undertaken to play the game using the game pieces. With reference to  FIG. 2 , a first step of the game requires the players to establish a first playing hole  32  and a second playing hole  34 . The first hole  32  and the second hole  34  are spaced from one another by about 33 feet, but that distance may be changed as desired by the players. The holes  32  and  34  may be established in the ice  28  using an augur or other means. The holes  32  and  34  extend partially into the ice  26  a sufficient depth so that more than one of the discs  20 - 26  will remain therein if reached, but not so deep as to reach water underlying the ice  28 . The cross sections of the holes  32  and  34  must also be sufficient to enable more than one of the discs  20 - 26  to be retained therein. For example, if the discs  20 - 26  are about 4″ in diameter, the holes  32  and  34  may be about 8″. These dimensions are examples only and the size and shape of the discs  20 - 26  and the holes  32  and  34  are not limited to these examples. 
     The next step of the game is to choose a starting player or team. In any subsequent game, the winner of the prior game may go first. With reference to  FIG. 3  for a two-person game, both players stand behind the first hole  32 , and the first player tosses or slides a disc to the second hole  34 . The second player tosses or slides a disc to the second hole  34 . The objective is to get a disc into the hole  34 . In the alternative, the objective is for one player to get a disc or discs closer to the hole  34  than the discs of the other player. The measuring tape  16  of the kit  10  may be used to determine closest proximity to the hole  34  if there is any doubt. The process is repeated upon return to the first hole  32 . 
     Scoring of the game requires the assignment of points for discs in a hole and closest disc proximity to a hole. As an example, three points may be assigned to each disc in a hole, and one point for disc closest to a hole. When each opposing player gets a disc into a hole, their scores cancel out. The same canceling exists when the disc proximities are equal. A player with all discs in a hole and none in from the opposing player gets three points per disc in. Alternative scoring options are possible with consent of the players. Scores may be recorded using the optional scorecard  18 . The winner is the player with the highest point total after all game rounds have been completed. Optionally, a designated winning score may be assigned to determine the end of the game. Scoring examples are shown in  FIGS. 4A-4H . 
     The number of rounds of play, with a round comprising discs tosses to the second hole  34  and then to the first hole  32 , is selectable by the players but should be no less than four. As noted, more than two people may play the game. When there are individual players, all stand at the same hole and toss to the opposing hole. When there are teams, there should be two players per team. One player from each team is positioned at the first hole  32 , and the other player of the team is positioned at the second hole  34 . The discs  20 - 26  are alternately tossed back and forth without players moving from their respective ice holes. Optionally, when the game is played as a tournament or there otherwise is interest in making in increasing game difficulty, additional rules can include requiring each player to stand on both feet when tossing a disc, requiring a disc release from above the surface of the ice  28 , and restricting forward positioning to not beyond the front edge of the hole where the player is located. Other tournament-type rules may be adopted as desired. 
     An important aspect of playing the game on the ice  28  is the configuration of the discs  20 - 26 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each of which shows representative disc  40 , the disc  40  is round and has a top  42  and a bottom  44  spaced apart by disc body  46 . The top  42  and the bottom  44  may be identical so that they are interchangeable when the disc  40  is in use in the game. A perimeter  48  of the disc  40  is tapered so that a thickness of the disc at the perimeter  48  is substantially less than a thickness of the disc  40  at centerline  50 . Specifically, each of the top  42  and the bottom  44  has a taper start point  52  and  54 , respectively, that both end at taper end point  56 . The angle of taper from points  52  and  54  to end point  56  may be identical or there may be differing angles from the top  42  and the bottom  44 . The taper may be substantially a straight line as shown or the taper may be curved, stepped, or otherwise shaped. The unique tapered configuration of the disc  40  enables the disc to pass over imperfections in the ice  28  that may otherwise impede travel of the disc  40  to one of the game holes. 
     Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.