Patent Abstract:
Provided is an illuminated toss game having at least one (1) game piece that is tossed into at least one (1) scoring hole located in a top surface of a playing platform. The toss game further includes a speaker and various lighting devices that are activated when a game piece is tossed through a scoring hole. To sense when a game piece passes through a scoring hole the toss game also includes a detector that emits an electrical signal that causes lights near the scoring hole to signal that a point has been scored. The toss game further includes an on-board battery, power and audio ON/OFF switches, and a controller that causes various lighting and sound effects to occur. Additionally, the game piece includes illumination lights.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards games. More particularly the subject invention is directed to an illuminated electronic beanbag toss game. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Older people often remember with great fondness the games of their youth. Neighborhood children would often play tag, board games, baseball, bad mitten, horseshoes, and darts. While some of those games are still popular they are not as popular as they once were. 
     One (1) reason for the decline in popularity of older games is that today&#39;s children are influenced by fast action computer games, movies, and other such activities that incorporate sound and light effects. However, some of the older games combined elements of both competition and skill that are difficult to replicate on a computer. One (1) such game is the much loved game of beanbag toss. In beanbag toss, a bag filled with a material such as beans, corn kernels, shells, or other filler material is tossed from a toss line toward one or more targets, usually a hole in a board. A successful toss, when the bag passes through the hole, results in a score. By placing multiple different sized scoring holes through the board, different points can be awarded. Then, like in the game of darts, different ways to determine who won a game can be implemented: high score, first to a score, or the first to accumulate a given score are all possible. 
     The challenge of simply tossing a bag through a hole in a board should not be underrated. It can be remarkably challenging, and if it becomes too easy the challenge can be increased simply by moving the line further from the board. Since beanbag toss can be played in teams, using two (2) boards makes team play easier and the game overall faster. 
     In view of the foregoing a more modern version of the old bean bag toss game that incorporates lights and sounds would be beneficial. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a modern version of the beanbag toss game and which incorporates lights and sounds to make the game more interesting and player friendly. 
     A toss game that is in accord with the principles of the present invention includes a target board having a flat surface with a target opening. The target board is illuminated by a plurality of board perimeter illumination lamps, while the target opening is illuminated by target perimeter illumination lamps. The target board is supported by a hinged rear support leg and by a hinged front support frame that fold under the target board. The toss game also includes a speaker, a game piece (preferably illuminated), and a detector that senses when the game piece enters the target opening. The first target perimeter illumination lamp signals when the game piece enters that target opening. 
     Beneficially, the target board includes a centerline hinge and a carrying handle, and the flat surface further includes a second target opening illuminated by a second target perimeter illumination lamp. Also beneficially, the first target perimeter illumination lamp and the second target perimeter illumination lamp have different colors. 
     In practice, the target board is supplied with a battery storage compartment that houses a first replaceable battery that selectively powers the board perimeter illumination lamps, and a first ON/OFF switch that controls the application of power from the first replaceable battery. Additionally, the toss game includes an audio ON/OFF switch that controls a signal that is applied to the speaker. The first target perimeter illumination lamp lights and/or flashes whenever a game piece passes through the first target opening while the board perimeter illumination lamps are lit during game play. 
     Detecting when a game piece enters the target opening is performed by a detector having an emitter and a receiver, beneficially photoelectric that form a detection field that spans the target opening. The detector provides an electric signal whenever a game piece passes through the target opening. 
     As noted, the game piece is beneficially illuminated. If so, the game piece includes an internal battery, a battery switch, and a fill media. 
     The toss game further includes a software operated controller module that controls the board perimeter illumination lamps and the target perimeter illumination lamps in response to the electric signal from the detector. The controller module can also drive an audio processor that is connected to the speaker and can control the board perimeter illumination lamps to illuminate and/or flash. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a beanbag toss game  10  that is in accord with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the target board  15  of the beanbag toss game  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the game pieces  20  taken along line II-II of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of the target board  15  shown in  FIG. 2 ; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of the game pieces  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  beanbag toss game 
               15  target board 
               20  game pieces 
               25  flat surface 
               30  target opening 
               35  centerline hinge 
               40  carrying handle 
               45  rear support legs 
               50  first hinge mechanism 
               55  front support frame 
               60  second hinge mechanism 
               65  travel path arrows 
               70  speakers 
               75  board perimeter illumination lamps 
               80  target perimeter illumination lamp 
               85  battery storage compartment 
               90  first replaceable batteries 
               95  first ON/OFF switch 
               96  audio ON/OFF switch 
               100  detector 
               105  emitter 
               110  receiver 
               115  detection field 
               120  outer cloth covering 
               125  fill media 
               130  light-emitter 
               135  light rays 
               140  adhesive 
               145  control enclosure 
               150  zipper 
               155  second replaceable battery 
               160  second ON/OFF switch 
               165  controller module 
               170  audio processor 
               175  audio file memory module 
               180  perimeter illumination driver 
               185  target illumination driver 
               190  driver circuit 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 , and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The principles of the present invention are presented in terms of a beanbag toss game  10  embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
       FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of the beanbag toss game  10 , a game that includes elements of both skill and strategy and which is preferably played outdoors. The beanbag toss game  10  is played on two (2) identical target boards  15 , only one (1) of which is shown for purposes of illustration, and a set of game pieces  20 . While the game pieces  20  are shown and described as being beanbag-shaped that is not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention as other shapes may also be used. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1  each target board  15  comprises a flat surface  25  having at least one (1) target opening  30  (four (4) are shown in  FIG. 1 ). The flat surface  25  has a centerline hinge  35  and a carrying handle  40  that enable the target board  15  to be folded in half, carried and transported. The flat surface  25  is envisioned as being made from weather-resistant materials such as molded plastic, plastic-coated plywood, or the like. 
     The target board  15  is provided with two (2) rear support legs  45  (only one (1) of which is shown due to limitations of illustration) which are supported by first hinge mechanisms  50 . The target board  15  is also provided with a front support frame  55  which is supported by a second hinge mechanism  60 . The rear support legs  45  and the front support frame  55  fold inward as depicted by travel path arrows  65 . 
     The front support frame  55  is provided with a series of speakers  70  which emit pre-recorded verbal announcements that are intended to enhance game enjoyment, such as during initial activation of power, as well as each scoring success. Additional details on the functionality of the speakers  70  are provided below. The target board  15  is also provided with a plurality of board perimeter illumination lamps  75  such as incandescent lamps, LED lamps, Neon lamps or the like. Additionally, the target board  15  is provided with target perimeter illumination lamps  80  around each of the target openings  30 . As before, the target perimeter illumination lamps  80  can be from incandescent lamps, LED lamps, neon lamps or the like. It is envisioned that each target opening  30  is provided with a unique color perimeter illumination such as green, blue, red, or the like, so as to communicate which target opening  30  a user has scored through. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the front support frame  55  includes a battery storage compartment  85  for housing first replaceable batteries  90  (not shown in  FIG. 1 , but see  FIG. 4 ) that supply operating power for elements attached to the target board  15 . The first replaceable batteries  90  enable portable operation of the beanbag toss game  10  without reliance on outside power. 
     Referring now to both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the beanbag toss game  10  includes a first ON/OFF switch  95  that is located on the rear of the target board  15  to allow a user to control the game power. When the first ON/OFF switch  95  is OFF or when the first replaceable batteries  90  are depleted or not installed, the beanbag toss game  10  functions as a conventional beanbag toss game. The beanbag toss game  10  also includes an audio ON/OFF switch  96  that is adjacent the first ON/OFF switch  95 . The audio ON/OFF switch  96  enables a user to turn off sound to operate the beanbag toss game  10  in a silent mode if desired. 
     Still referring to both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , each target opening  30  includes a detector  100  for detecting when a game piece  20  enters the target opening  30 . Further description of the detectors  100  is provided below. The detectors  100  enable enhanced playing enjoyment of the beanbag toss game  10  by causing the target perimeter illumination lamps  80  to light and flash whenever a game piece  20  passes through a target opening  30 . It is also envisioned that the board perimeter illumination lamps  75  and the target perimeter illumination lamps  80  would illuminate in a continuous or a sequential flashing manner during game play. 
     Referring now to both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , the game pieces  20  are also provided with internal illumination as described subsequently. Such illumination in conjunction with the audio sounds provide more interesting and attractive game play and are particularly beneficial should the beanbag toss game  10  be played at night or during other periods of low ambient light. Indeed, at night the illumination provided by the board perimeter illumination lamps  75 , the target perimeter illumination lamps  80 , and the game pieces  20  can serving as the only illumination and such is envisioned as increasing the level of fun and excitement. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the target board  15  taken along line I-I of  FIG. 1  and which is particularly helpful in understanding the detector  100  and its relationship to the flat surface  25  and the target opening  30 . The detector  100  comprises a photoelectric emitter  105  and a photoelectric receiver  110 . However, the emitter  105  and receiver  110  may operate on other principles such as ultrasonic, radioactive, and capacitive and the like can be used with equal effectiveness. The emitter  105  and the receiver  110  form a detection field  115  which spans the opening of the target opening  30  and which provides an electric signal whenever an object such as the game pieces  20  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ) passes through. The emitter  105  and the receiver  110  should be located so as not to impede or assist the passage of the game pieces  20  through the target opening  30 . 
       FIG. 3  presents a sectional view of the game pieces  20  taken along line II-II of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the game pieces  20  have an outer cloth covering  120  of a heavy duty material such as nylon, canvas, denim or the like. Most of the interior space is filled with a fill media  125  such as corn kernels, beans, sand, small pebbles or the like. A series of light-emitters  130  such as light-emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) are located inside the outer cloth covering  120  so as to shine through the outer cloth covering  120  to produce exterior light rays  135 . The light-emitters  130  are held in place with adhesive  140  or secured by another means such as sewing. The light-emitters  130  are connected to a control enclosure  145  located inside the outer cloth covering  120  and near a zipper  150 . The control enclosure  145  houses a second replaceable battery  155  and a second ON/OFF switch  160 . The user can control the operation of the light-emitters  130 , as well as replace the second replaceable battery  155  without upsetting the aerodynamic and exterior characteristics of a conventional bean bag. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , which is an electrical block diagram of the target board  15 . Operating power for the target board  15  is derived from the first replaceable batteries  90  as controlled by the first ON/OFF switch  95 . Switched power is routed to a controller module  165 . The controller module  165  includes a microcontroller such as a basic stamp module that operates in accord with software programs, such as an Arduino-based platform that uses the Arduino programming language. The controller module  165  further includes hard wiring, glue logic, a relay or the like. Such various control based themes are well known in the art and are not intended to be a limiting factor of the present invention. 
     Inputs to the controller module  165  include the detector  100  and its emitter  105  and the receiver  110 . The number of detectors  100  correspond to the number of target openings  30  (see  FIG. 1 ). Outputs from the controller module  165  drive an audio processor  170 , which connect both to speakers  70  as well as to an audio file memory module  175 . Example content of the audio file memory module  175  may include files for tunes such as “LET&#39;S PLAY”, “GOOD SHOT”, “RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE”, “CHEERING SOUNDS”, “THAT&#39;S A WINNER”, and the like. 
     Another output from the controller module  165  powers a perimeter illumination driver  180  which drives the board perimeter illumination lamps  75 . The perimeter illumination driver  180  provides steady state illumination, random flashing, steady state flashing, sequential flashing and the like. The controller module  165  also provides outputs to a series of target illumination drivers  185  for each of the target openings  30  (see  FIG. 1 ). It is envisioned that each target illumination driver  185  provides illumination to a respective target opening  30  which in turn comprises a unique color perimeter illumination such as green, blue, red, or the like, so as to communicate which target opening  30  the user has scored through. The activation of the target illumination driver  185  is controlled by the detector  100  within each target opening  30 . As such, the light from the target perimeter illumination lamps  80  correspond to passage of a throwing game piece  20  through a target opening  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the game pieces  20 , power from the second replaceable battery  155  is routed through the second ON/OFF switch  160  and into a driver circuit  190 . The output of the driver circuit  190  drives the light emitters  130 . The driver circuit  190  beneficially provides for continuous illumination, random illumination, sequential illumination and the like. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention. While only one particular configuration is shown and described, such is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the bean bag game  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . It is also envisioned that the target board  15  would be made of weather-resistant plywood or plastic using well known forming and manufacturing methods. The various electronic components as aforementioned described would be placed on or in the target board  15  or the game pieces  20  respectively and wired together in accord with the block diagrams of  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . The target board  15  and the game pieces  20  would be supplied with first replaceable batteries  90  and a second replaceable battery  155 . A pair of target boards  15  would be located in an outdoor or other appropriate environment a suitable distance apart. The first ON/OFF switch  95 , the audio ON/OFF switch  96 , and the second ON/OFF switch  160  would be activated. At this point in time, the bean bag game  10  is ready for use. 
     During actual use of the bean bag game  10 , teams of player(s) would take turns trying to throw the game pieces  20  through the target openings  30 . Various points are awarded for successful attempts. Scoring continues for a predetermined number of rounds or until a predetermined point level is reached thus determining a winner or winning team. During such play, the bean bag game  10  provides illumination via the board perimeter illumination lamps  75  and the target perimeter illumination lamps  80  while also provided special scoring illumination via the detector  100  and target perimeter illumination lamps  80  and audible sounds via the speakers  70 . When finished with play, the target board  15  and the game pieces  20  are deactivated. The rear support legs  45  and the front support frame  55  are folded inward and the target board  15  is folded in half and transported via the carrying handle  40  to a suitable storage location. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0