Patent Abstract:
The current invention is a gaming apparatus and method wherein players ride on a motorized vehicle around a course through a variety of gates and a variety of barrels while shooting at targets with a firearm loaded with specialized blank ammunition. The blank ammunition is capable of short range use to damage or destroy the targets.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a game, and more particularly to a game using a firearm with specialized ammunition.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A gaming apparatus and method is provided that includes the use and application of a combination of a firearm with specialized ammunition, gates, targets, a motorized vehicle and a game track or course. In practice of the game, a rider maneuvers through the course discharging the firearm at targets. Ammunition is provided that is capable of short range use to damage or to destroy the reactive targets while offering reasonable safety to the rider and spectators. The reactive targets may include electronics that act as gating and storing indicators. The reactive targets and the gates can also act as communication points for relay of gating and scoring information to a wireless network device.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]     For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic plan view of a game track and targets;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a player, motorized vehicle and target;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a cut away view of a preferred embodiment of the ammunition used to conduct the game;  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the communication between network components of the invention; and  
         [0008]      FIG. 5  is flow diagram of steps executed by a network controller.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show in detail one embodiment of the game in accordance with the present invention. The game comprises course  17 , gates  13 , targets  14 , barrels  12 , vehicle  15  and firearm  21 . The firearm includes a novel type of blank ammunition. In an additional embodiment, the game comprises course  17 , gates  13 , targets  14 , vehicle  15  and firearm  21 . In an additional embodiment, the game comprises course  17 , barrel  12 , targets  13 , vehicle  15  and firearm  21 .  
         [0010]     In the preferred embodiment, course  17  includes a start/finish gate  11 , path  16 , multiple gates  13 , multiple targets  14  and multiple barrels  12 . However in other embodiments, the course can include either a start/finish gate, gates and targets or the course can include either a start/finish gate, gates and barrels. In the preferred embodiment course  17  is generally planar. The dimensions of course  17  should be approximately 280 feet by approximately 100 feet. The area of the course can be larger or smaller and the topography of the course may vary.  
         [0011]     The arrangement of gates  13 , targets  14  and barrels  12  determine path  16  of course  17 . The rider travels along path  16  in the direction of arrows  10  through all of gates  13  and around all of barrels  12 . The course shown in  FIG. 1  is just one arrangement of the gates, targets and barrels. In  FIG. 1 , all of gates  13  are shown as a triangle, all of targets  14  are shown as a circle and all of barrels  12  are shown as squares. Gates  13 , targets  14  and barrels  12  can be arranged in a multitude of different patterns in order to provide different challenges to the riders including testing their maneuvering and shooting abilities. For example, group  40  of gates  13  requires the rider to perform a 360 degree turn around gates  13 . While arrangement  41  of gates  13 , requires the rider to perform an “s-like” pattern. The distance between gates  13  and targets  14  varies throughout the entire course.  
         [0012]     In the preferred embodiment, gates  13  are standard rubber construction cones that are approximately 18 inches to 24 inches high. A standard construction cone is a hollow cylindrical stanchion having a flat base and is adapted to stand upright on flat and inclined surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the gates are fluorescent or “day glow” in color. Gates  13  can be composed of a variety of materials including wood, steel, aluminum, plastic, rubber. In an alternate embodiment, the cones are to be lighted from the inside to aid in visibility.  
         [0013]     In the preferred embodiment, targets  14  comprise reactive target  22 , stanchion  23  and target stand  24 . In this embodiment, reactive target  22  and target stand  24  are fluorescent or “day glow”. Reactive target  22  and target stand  24  can be the same color but do not have to be. In the preferred embodiment, reactive target  22  is a helium balloon that has a diameter between approximately 9 inches to approximately 12 inches when inflated. In an additional embodiment, clay targets can also be employed suspended by appropriate stanchions. However, objects with a diameter of at least 5 inches that can be punctured, broken or moved by ammunition  26  also serve as useful targets. However, in other embodiments, when reactive target  22  is a helium balloon, reactive target further comprises a standard automobile tire valve. In this embodiment, the reactive target is inflated through the tire valve and removably attached to the reactive target with a standard O-ring. In the preferred embodiment, stanchion  23  is an indentation on target stand  24  that allows reactive target  22  to be removably affixed to target stand  24 . In the preferred embodiment, target stand  24  is a standard rubber construction cone that is approximately 3 feet high. Target stand  24  can be composed of a variety of materials however, plastic or rubber is preferred for safety considerations.  
         [0014]     In the preferred embodiment, targets  14  are identical. However, in alternate embodiments, targets  14  may vary within course  17 . Such as the targets may be different colors, may be different heights or may contained different reactive targets scored differently.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic representation of network components and a controller that are present in any embodiment of the novel game that includes an automated scoring system. In this embodiment, electrical motion sensing devices  403  are incorporated in first stanchion  401 , second stanchion  402  and first target stand  409  for registering movement of target  408  or displacement of first stanchion  401 , second stanchion  402  or first target  409 . In this embodiment, first stanchion  401  contains optical receiver  404  and second stanchion  402  contains optical transmitter  406 . The optical transmitter and receiver are diametrically opposed on the course so that in use when a beam of light from the transmitter to the receiver is broken, passage of the gate is registered in the memory of the controller. Optical receivers and optical transmitters known in the art are used to register the passage of the player through the stanchions while playing the game. In yet another embodiment, the stanchion is a rectangular or square box that is approximately 1 inch tall and contains a motion sensing device. In this embodiment, the rider must travel directly over the gate. First stanchion  401  and first target  409  further contains processor  405 . Processor  405  contains a programmer, memory and transceiver as known in the art to store information gathered by first stanchion  401 , second stanchion  402  or first target  409  for transmission of data to controller  410 . In one preferred embodiment, this information can be transmitted to a central controller by a wireless data transmission device, as known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, control  410  is a personal computer is used for communication of the electrical data from the wireless data transmission device.  
         [0016]     The electrical data transmitted is used to calculate the time required to complete the course, score and any necessary penalties. Standard wireless equipment and associated hardware and software known by those of ordinary skill in the art is used.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of processes  500 , which is performed on the electrical data transmitted to controller  410  in the preferred embodiment. The process begins with step  501  when electrical data transmitted to controller  410  signals that the rider has entered the course. Once the program starts, it performs step  502  by logging the time when the rider started the course, then step  503  by registering each gate that the rider passes through. Step  504  processes any movement by the gates/stanchions or targets. Then, step  505  adds additional time to the elapsed time as a result of events such as displacement of the gates. Next, step  506  registers the number of targets that the rider hit with the ammunition. Step  507  logs the time that the rider completed the course. Then process completes step  508  by analyzing the length of time it took the rider to complete the course. Next step  509  analyzes the point total of the rider receives based on his placement in the game. Finally step  510  logs the results and calculates the riders elapsed time, penalty points, and placement in the game.  
         [0018]     In the preferred embodiment, holster  17  is on rider  20 . Holster  17  holds firearm  21  in a safe manner when it is not in use. Holster  17  can be composed of a variety of materials including leather, plastic or nylon. In another embodiment, holster  17  is on vehicle  15 . In alternate embodiments more than one holster is on rider  20  or vehicle  15 .  
         [0019]     Vehicle  15  can be any motorized vehicle. In the preferred embodiment vehicle  15  is an all terrain vehicle (ATV). However, vehicle  15  can also be a motorcycle, golf cart or snow mobile without departing from the spirit of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the vehicle accommodates more than one person. In this alternate embodiment, one person is designated “driver” while the other(s) are designated “shooters”.  
         [0020]     Firearm  21  is an object that is capable of firing ammunition  26 . In the preferred embodiment, firearm  21  is a revolver pistol such as a 44 Magnum or 45 Long Colt Revolver. In yet additional embodiments, firearm  21  may be replaced by other devices capable of firing a projectile such as a sling shot, spear gun, air gun or cross bow. In alternate embodiments, more than one firearm is utilized.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cut away view of ammunition  26 . Ammunition  26  is blank ammunition. In the preferred embodiment, ammunition  26  has a limited range. For example, ammunition  26  must break reactive target  22  at approximately 10 feet but not be capable of breaking reactive target  22  past approximately 18 feet. Ammunition  26  comprises cartridge  31 , fibers filler  32 , propellant  33  and primer  34 . In the preferred embodiment cartridge  31  is composed of plastic. In another embodiment, the cartridge is composed of brass, steel or aluminum. In the preferred embodiment, fibers filler  32  is crushed walnut hull. However fibers filler  32  can be other media such as grits, crushed corn or wood fibers. In the preferred embodiment, propellant  33  is smokeless gun powder. In another embodiment, the propellant can be black powder. In the preferred embodiment, primer  34  is a chemical primer, but other primers can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, fibers filler  32 , propellant  33  and primer  34  are maintained in cartridge  31  by star. crimping end  35  of cartridge  31 . In other embodiment, other crimping or sealing means can be used to keep fibers filler  32 , propellant  33  and primer  34  within cartridge  31 . Propellant  33  and primer  34  are introduced in the cartridge to project the fibers filler only about 10 feet. In another embodiment the fibers filler and propellant are replaced by a concussion load capable of breaking the target by a shock wave or sound wave.  
         [0022]     Engaged in the novel game, rider  20  enters course  17  on vehicle  15  through start/finish gate  11 . As soon as rider  20  travels through the start/finish gate, a timing device will be activated by a motion sensor or optical signal. Rider  20  continues around course  17  by traveling through gates  13  and/or around barrels  12  in order to shoot at each target  14  with firearm  21  by employing ammunition  26 . In embodiments where no motion sensor or optical signal is present, a manual timer is used and activated by a game observer.  
         [0023]     Rider  20  travels through each gate  13 . In the preferred embodiment, rider  20  only has to travel through gates  13 . However, in other embodiments, rider  20  might have to perform different tasks such as driving vehicle  15  a full 360 degrees around a gate.  
         [0024]     When rider  20  approaches target  14 , rider  20  aims firearm  21  towards reactive target  22  on target  14 . In the preferred embodiment, target  14  should be approximately 18 feet from each gate  13 . However, distances between approximately 5 feet and approximately 20 feet will work with equal success.  
         [0025]     After rider  21  has driven through all gates  13 , shot or attempted to shoot at targets  14  and travels back through start/finish gate  11 . Sensors in the start/finish gates mark the time required to complete the course. In embodiments without electronic sensors, a manual observer logs the completion time.  
         [0026]     In a preferred embodiment, a scoring method is provided to rank players. In this embodiment, numerous riders compete in a series by playing one or more games on a course. Each game can be won or lost. The series can be won or lost as well. The winner of the series is the rider that gains the most points. A rider&#39;s placement is determined by adding the time to complete the course with any applicable penalties, the shortest time wins. In the preferred embodiment, the applicable penalties are as follows: 
        a. Missed target=add 5 seconds;     b. Knocked over gate=add 5 seconds;     c. Failure to follow the course=add 10 seconds;     d. Dropped firearm=add 5 seconds;     e. Failure to holster first firearm=add 20 seconds;     f. No show at course=add 99.9 seconds;     g. Dismounting during course=add 99.9 seconds; and     h. Safety infraction results in a disqualification from the series.        
 
         [0035]     A safety infraction includes discharging the firearm at a spectator. First place is awarded to the rider with the shortest overall time. While, second place is awarded to the rider with the second shortest time, etc.  
         [0036]     A series of games is provided in which scores from different games for each individual rider are combined to arrive at a winner for each series. A rider will receive one point for each individual game that the rider completes. If more than 5 riders enter into a specific game, the points will be awarded as follows: 
        i. 1 st  place=5 points;     ii. 2 nd  place=4 points;     iii. 3 rd  place=3 points;     iv. 4 th  place=2 points; and     v. 5 th  place=1 point.        
 
         [0042]     If 4 riders enter into a specific game, the points will be awarded as follows: 
        vi. 1 st  place=3 points;     vii. 2 nd  place=2 points; and     viii. 3 rd  place=1 points.        
 
         [0046]     If less than four riders enter the game, no additional points will be awarded.  
         [0047]     The novel game provides a method for ranking contestants. Riders are classified into various contestant levels. The contestant levels allow riders of similar riding and shooting ability to compete against each other. All entry level riders are considered at Level 1. A rider moves up to Level 2 after he earns two first place wins at that level. A rider reaches Level 3 status when he earns three first place wins at that level. Level 4 status is achieved when the rider earns four first place wins at that level. A rider attains Level 5 status when he has five first place wins at that level. Finally, a rider achieves Level 6 status when he has at least six first place wins at that level. Of course other levels are possible.  
         [0048]     While this invention has been described in reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5