Abstract:
A method of playing a puck-tossing game includes providing a target puck, a first plurality of tossing pucks of a first color, and a second plurality of tossing pucks of a second color. The target puck is tossed from a first tossing location, a distance of between approximately 10 feet to approximately 50 feet. At least one of the first plurality of tossing pucks is tossed toward the target puck in an effort to cause the at least one tossing puck from the first plurality of tossing pucks to land directly on top of the target puck. One of the second plurality of tossing pucks is tossed toward the target puck in an effort to cause the at least one tossing puck from the second plurality of tossing pucks to land on top of the target puck.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/078,373 filed Jul. 4, 2008 and is a Divisional application that is based on and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/498,357, filed Jul. 6, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to devices for playing horseshoe, bag toss, or bocce ball type games. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The use of devices for playing horseshoe, bag toss, and bocce ball type of games is known in the prior art. More specifically, devices for playing horseshoe or bocce ball games heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and Obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
         [0006]    Known prior art devices for playing horseshoe and bocce ball type games include U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151; U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,592; U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,669; U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,139; U.S. Pat. No. 3,119,619; U.S. Pat. No. 915,450; U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,420; PCT Patent No. WO 95/30457 (Inventors: Bouchard et at); and EPO Patent No. EP 0 310 054 A2 (Inventors: Norman et al). 
         [0007]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new bounce-landing puck toss game device. In these respects, the bounce-landing puck toss game device of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of playing a bounce-landing puck tossing game with a method of play distinctly different to horseshoe, bag toss, or bocce ball type games. For the record it should be clearly stated that bocce balls are not able to bounce-land either fully or partially supported onto each other. Bocce balls are round and they fall off of each other due to the effects of gravity and the roundness of the ball, thus differentiating this invention so as not to be considered a bocce-ball type of game. Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 does not disclose any design or method of play that includes a tossing device landing on a target device for premium points scored in any manner or function. While prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 describes a disc toss bocce-ball type game, of which the actual size, weight, and construction material of the game apparatus, said disc does not permit prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 apparatus to be functional and useful when applied to the new and different method of play of the invention of this application. In prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 apparatus said disks are specified by claim to be “less than” a specific size diameter, thickness and weight, which often prohibits the desirable and practical function of play in the preferred environments of outdoor beaches, sandy areas, and parks due to the effects of normal and commonplace wind, and visibility. The normal and commonplace wind presents an adverse effect to player accuracy which prohibits the game of this invention to have the probability of accuracy necessary for said objective and desired successful bounce-landing toss at the said distance of up to about 50 (fifty) feet. The game apparatus of this invention is deliberately designed to be of sufficient weight, diameter, and thickness as to overcome and minimize the adverse effects of the wind in regards to player accuracy, while said puck is tossed and in flight at the designated distance of up to about 50 (fifty) feet. 
         [0008]    The game apparatus said tossing and target pucks of this invention are comprised and constructed of a material that is of sufficient weight or specific gravity at the said thickness and diameter, to provide the necessary momentum when tossed, to overcome the inherent adverse effects that the wind presents in regards to player accuracy, and therefore enjoyment. The composition of the material of the game of this invention is an injection moldable plastic, more specifically an elastomer of 30 percent to 70 percent combined with a polypropelene of 30 percent to 70 percent, of which an ideal percentage is dependent on the specific differences of manufacturer of the material and injection molding requirements. The said “marker disc” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 is specified by claim to be “less than” a specific size; therefore, is prohibitively small in size diameter and thickness dimension to ensure the visibility needed to be a target in normal and commonplace piles of sand and long turf grass lawns as intended area for the game of this invention to be played. The game apparatus of this invention comprises a much larger target puck compared to prior art U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 disclosures, and is to be white or of other substantially bright and easily delineated color, in contrast to the colors of the said tossing pucks and various surfaces of play, thus clearly improving the visibility of said target puck, and achieving a more desirable function of play. 
         [0009]    The said “marker disc” of U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,151 is specified by claim to be “less than” a specific size; therefore, is prohibitively small in size diameter and thickness dimension to enable the method of play and objective of the game of this invention, which is more specifically to toss and bounce-land said tossing puck or a plurality of said tossing pucks onto said target puck in a fully supported or partially supported position from a distance of up to about 50 (fifty) feet. The game apparatus of this invention comprises a much larger target puck face surface area, and thus functions with a desirable probability of landing a single or a plurality of said tossing pucks onto said target puck during the course of one single completed turn of four said tossing pucks being tossed by a player and opponent. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides anew competitive bounce-landing puck toss game. This game and method of play surpass inherent barriers of prior art apparatus and devices to enable the challenging and competitive play often sought by the general public for entertainment. The game design and construction enhance the integrity of players ability and accuracy of play resulting in desirable scoring, thus increasing the entertainment and competitive value. 
         [0011]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device apparatus and method of play which has many advantages in comparison to relevant prior art devices for playing horseshoe, bag toss, and bocce-ball type games mentioned heretofore, and many novel features that result in a new bouncelanding puck toss game device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art devices for playing horseshoe or bocce-ball games or apparatus, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0012]    Each puck has one said perpendicular perimeter side edge to said puck face being a sharp 90 degree angle and said opposite puck face having a less sharp perpendicular perimeter side edge to puck face angle of 90 degrees with about a 1/32 inch to 114 inch corner radius with an ideal corner radius of 1/16 inch. 
         [0013]    The game apparatus consists of eight tossing pucks divided equally into two sets and one target puck. Each set of tossing pucks is a color easily recognized as being different from the other and both sets of pucks being of a color that is distinctly different from the target puck color. The target puck is substantially equal in construction to the tossing pucks with the one exception of color. The target puck is ideally a bright while color. 
       General Outline for the Preferred Method of Play 
       [0014]    The preferred said method of play consists of a plurality of players, with each player or team of players tossing a set of four (4) colored pucks towards the previously tossed brightly colored or white target puck. 
         [0015]    The preferred said method of play allows a player to select which of the two faces of any puck is in the upward position in an attempt to provide the desired initial desired striking contact to the playing surface or the previously tossed pucks. By selecting which face of the puck is facing up when tossed, the player is also selecting which said 90 degree face to side edge corner of the downward face of the puck, the sharp no-radius corner, Or the more rounded-radius corner will make initial contact with the playing surface or previously tossed puck or pucks as desired. This aforementioned playing technique changes the initial contact of said sharper no-radius corner of the puck about to be tossed resulting in a more abrupt stop and bounce backward effect as compared to said rounded-radius corner resulting in a more of a bounce and slide forward technique. 
         [0016]    The preferred said method of play is for tossing said tossing pucks a distance of at least about ten (10) feet and up to about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss to where the said tossing puck lands, with the primary and highest scoring objective to bounce-land said tossing puck onto said target puck so that said tossing puck is fully supported by said target puck, or the inverse thereof. 
         [0017]    The preferred said method-of play is fur tossing said tossing pucks a distance of up to about fifty (50) feet from the line of toss to where the said tossing puck lands, with the secondary and second highest scoring objective to bounce-land said tossing puck onto said target puck so that said tossing puck is partially supported or leaning on said target puck, or the inverse thereof. 
         [0018]    The preferred said method of play is for tossing said tossing pucks a distance of up to about fifty (50) feet′ from the line of toss to where the said tossing puck lands, with the lowest scoring objective to bounce-land said tossing puck closest to said target puck. 
         [0019]    The preferred said method of play is that the game commences with one of the teams players tossing the white target puck a distance of at least about ten (10) and up to a distance of about 50 (fifty) feet from the line of toss. 
         [0020]    The preferred said method of play after the first toss of a tossing puck allows the player with the inferior scoring position to continue to toss until the last previously tossed puck results in that player or team to be in a superior scoring position, or until all four tossing pucks have been tossed for that turn of play. 
         [0021]    The preferred said method of play is for only one player or team to score for each turn of play. 
         [0022]    The preferred said method of play is for the player or team scoring points in the previous turn to begin the next turn by again tossing the target puck up to a distance of about fifty (50) feet and then toss the first of the four tossing pucks towards the target puck. 
         [0023]    The preferred said method of play is primarily to attempt to land a tossing puck onto the target puck in a fully supported position for the highest scoring value of six (6) points, and secondarily to land one or more tossing pucks onto the target puck in a partially supported or leaning position to score three (3) points for each, and the minimal scoring position of landing one or more tossing pucks closer to the target than the other player to score one (1) point for each puck that is closer than any of the opponents. 
         [0024]    With respect to the above description then, it is to he realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The invention will be better understood and the objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a bounce-landing puck according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a section view of the puck of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the game apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of puck scoring positions according to the method of play of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 4  thereof, a new bounce-landing puck toss game device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  comprises a plurality of pucks including a number of tossing pucks  10  and a target puck  15 . Each puck has a center, generally circular first and second faces and a perimeter side edge between the first and second faces of the puck. Each puck has a generally cylindrical bore  13  extending between its first and second faces. 
         [0032]    Ideally, the number of tossing pucks comprises eight tossing puck˜and are preferably divided equally into a pair of sets each having a common marking or color on each of the pucks of the set, with each set being a different color. Each puck has a center, generally circular first and second faces and a perimeter side edge between the first and second faces of the puck.  FIG. 2  shows each puck has two perimeter side edges, one with a sharp 90 degree corner  11  with no radius, and the other with a more rounded 90 degree corner  12  with a radius of 1/32 inch to 1:4 inch with ideal being 1/16 inch. Each puck has a generally cylindrical bore  13  which is extended between the first and second faces. The bore  13  is located at the center of the puck. Preferably, the diameters of the tossing pucks  10  are substantially equal to one another and ideally, the diameter of each of the tossing pucks  10  is greater than 4¾ inches. Ideally the diameter of the tossing pucks is about 5⅛ inches. Ideally, the diameter of the target puck  15  is substantially equal to the tossing pucks about 5 1/8  inches. Each puck has a thickness defined between the first and second faces of the puck. Preferably, the thickness of the tossing pucks  10  is substantially equal to one another. The thickness of the target puck  15  is substantially equal to the thickness of the tossing pucks  10 . Ideally, the thickness of each puck is greater than ¾ inch and ideally 1⅛ inches.  FIG. 1  shows the tactile indicia and concentric rings  14  that are elevated off of the surface about 0.006 to provide increased tactile function.  FIG. 4  shows the method of play scoring positions of said tossing puck  10  in relation to said target puck  15  for various desired point values, displaying said fully supported and partially supported positions. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for playing horseshoe and bocce-ball games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new bounce-landing puck toss game device wherein the same can be utilized for playing a new puck throwing game with a new method of play not disclosed in combination or separately thereof in other patents. 
         [0034]    One embodiment of the game of this invention is the apparatus of tossing pucks and one target puck, so constructed of the desirable weight, dimension, shape, and color-integrated plastic material which is enabling of the method of playas outlined in the claims. The most desirable and intended playing environments, which include beaches and parks, have commonplace and normally expected winds that adversely and negatively affect the tossing accuracy of the smaller, lighter, and less aerodynamic relevant prior-art apparatus. The negative effect of the wind in regards to accuracy of play of the previous art devices diminishes the practical challenge and entertainment value of the game. This adverse effect is successfully eliminated or substantially minimized by the weight, shape, and size of the pucks of this invention compared to prior art devices, thus providing a probability of tossing accuracy that is enabling of the intended and prescribed method of play and henceforth greatly increases the entertainment value. 
         [0035]    Another embodiment of the apparatus of this invention is that the aforementioned construction provides a very durable structure that maintains form and color of the apparatus through the extreme hardships of the intended play of being tossed up to about 50 (fifty feet) on many different expected playing surfaces for hundreds or more of games. 
         [0036]    The more important features of this invention have thus been broadly outlined, in order that the detailed description of the method of play thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0037]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0038]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0039]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0040]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device apparatus and method of play which has many of the advantages of the devices for playing horseshoe, bag toss, or bocce-ball type games mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new bounce-landing puck toss game device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior an devices for playing apparatus tossed at a target or bocce-ball games, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0041]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured, and more specifically is constructed of injection moldable plastic material that accomplishes the specific desired playing characteristics that provide the necessary function of playas outlined by the previously stated method of play of this invention. 
         [0042]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
         [0043]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such bounce-landing puck toss game device economically available to the buying public. 
         [0044]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
         [0045]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device for playing a puck throwing game with a method of play not probable or practical to achieve with normal prior art horseshoe, bag toss or bocce-ball type game apparatus. 
         [0046]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new bounce landing puck toss game device which includes a plurality of pucks, including a number of tossing pucks and a target puck. Each puck has a center, generally circular first and second faces, and a perimeter side edge between the first and second faces of the puck. Each puck has a generally cylindrical bore extending between its first and second faces. 
         [0047]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new bounce-landing puck toss game device that is best played on sand or grass lawn, but may be played on many other types of ground surface. 
         [0048]    These characteristics, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a. part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
         [0049]    The best method for carrying out this invention is to utilize the services of those skilled in the arts of plastics injection molding to construct the apparatus in accordance with the relevant details of this invention.