Abstract:
A ball toss game that is configured to be mounted to a game table includes a frame having a pair of vertical posts (vertical support members) arranged parallel to one another and at least three cross members extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical support member. The ball toss game also includes a pair of coupling members for mounting to two opposing vertical side surfaces of the game table. The coupling member has a receiving portion that receives a lower end of a respective vertical support member and a fastening means for releasably mounting the lower end to the coupling member such that the frame stands upright. The ball toss game includes a pair of objects attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross member.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/893,493, filed Mar. 7, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of games, and more particularly, relates to a game that involves the tossing of an article toward an object in order to secure points by having the article engage one or more supports of the object. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are a vast number of games that can either be played indoors or outdoors or a combination thereof. For example, games can be of a board type, such as chess or checkers, or they can be games in which the person actively participates, such as golf, soccer, football, baseball, etc. One type of game is a game in which an article is tossed toward an object for scoring points and one game that follows this basic concept is the game of horseshoes or quoits. This type of game involves the throwing or tossing of a ring or horseshoe to engage an upright stake anchored into the ground. The stake can be anchored at a perpendicular angle to the surface of the ground or it can be anchored at another angle. The object of the game is to encircle the stake with the horseshoe or ring, which results in points being won by the player. 
         [0004]    Other articles have been utilized to be tossed at an object, such as bean bags and weights tied at the ends of short cords. More specifically, ladder ball is an outdoor and/or indoor game that is similar in game play to horseshoes. The basic concept of the game is that a player tosses a “bola” (two weights on the ends of a cord (e.g., rope, etc.)) towards a short ladder structure. The object of the game is for players to cast their bolas around the rungs of the ladder structure. Ladder ball goes by a substantial number of alternate names and for example, this basic game is also referred to as bolo toss, rodeo golf, hillbilly golf, bolo golf, lasso golf, snakes and ladders, golf ball horseshoes, etc. 
         [0005]    In the traditional game, the bola is a length of cord attached to two objects, one at each end. It is important for playing the game that the objects at each end are equivalent and the lengths of the cords are the same. To differentiate teams, either the cords or the objects fastened to them are a different color. Each ladder generally consists of three horizontal supports or bars that preferably have equal vertical spacing. The ladder frame has a base to permit the base to be free standing and a stand alone unit or it can have sharp stake-like structure as part of the frame to permit it to be driven into the dirt ground outside. 
         [0006]    Ladder ball requires a long, narrow playing area. Ladders are placed approximately “ten paces” apart. After deciding which team tosses first, as by a coin toss or the like, one team begins the first round by tossing. Ladder ball is played in rounds, each round consisting of one player from each team tossing bolas. The first player tosses one bola, followed by a player from each remaining team. Bolas can be tossed in any manner the players choose so long as they are tossed individually. 
         [0007]    The scoring of the game depends on the location of the bolas at the end of each round. Each rung is assigned a point value and each bola&#39;s points are added to the team&#39;s scope. Bolas that miss do not score points. The bottom rung is typically deemed the easiest to score on based on the fact that many times a bola will drop from one rung onto a lower one or a bola that is initially thrown too short may bounce off the ground and onto the bottom rung. Landing on the bottom rung is awarded one point. The top rung is the next in difficulty since many players use a high arc toss strategy to try to land the bola onto the top rung. Landing on the top rung is awarded two points. The middle rung is the hardest to land on and therefore, it is awarded the greatest point value. Landing on the middle rung is awarded three points. 
         [0008]    Landing a bola on a rung can be accomplished a number of different ways, with the most common way being when the cord is draped over the rung with a ball on either side of the rung. Bolas bouncing off the ground and then landing on a rung do count in scoring. In other words, as long as a bola is supported by a rung, it scores. One other possible way for a bola to land is have the bola wrap around a bola that is already on the ladder. Both bolas are considered to be supported by the same rung and score the point value of the rung. There are a number of different scoring variations, for example, if the second bola that is supported by the first bola has one ball on either side of the next rung down, it scores points from both rungs. If the second bola is touching the ground, a ruling is needed regarding whether the second bola is truly being held and supported by the first bola. 
         [0009]    In a traditional game, play continues until the round where at least one team&#39;s score reaches or passes twenty-one. The team with the highest score at the end of that round is the winner. 
         [0010]    In addition, there are board and indoor table games that mimic sports that are played and watched by millions of people. For example, indoor games, such as indoor table games, simulate the games of soccer, hockey, baseball, etc. One popular type of game for indoor use is an air hockey table in which the puck glides along an air assisted top surface of the table game. 
         [0011]    When dealing with indoor games, one consideration and concern is the amount of space that are occupied by the games. For example, if a person has several or more indoor games, such as table games and an indoor, stand alone ball and ladder game, the games occupy a significant amount of space. Since many people have only a limited amount of space to store and play games, it is desirable to provide a solution for minimizing the amount of space needed to store and play multiple indoor games. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    A ball toss game that is configured to be mounted to a game table includes a frame having a pair of vertical posts (vertical support members) arranged parallel to one another and at least three cross members extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical support member. The ball toss game also includes a pair of coupling members for mounting to two opposing vertical side surfaces of the game table. The coupling member has a receiving portion that receives a lower end of a respective vertical support member and a fastening means for releasably mounting the lower end to the coupling member such that the frame stands upright. The ball toss game includes a pair of objects attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross member. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention, a ball and toss game is combined with a table game that includes a playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a ground surface by a plurality of legs. The table game includes a perimeter side wall and wherein the ball and toss game includes a frame having a pair of vertical posts arranged parallel to one another and at least three cross members extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical support members. The frame is releasably mounted to the perimeter side wall such that the frame remains elevated and spaced from the ground surface and extends across and over the playing surface. The ball and toss game includes a pair of objects attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross member. 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a combination of indoor games includes a table game that includes a playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a ground surface by a plurality of legs. The table game includes a side wall that extends around a perimeter of the playing surface and includes opposing coupling members attached thereto. The combination also includes a ball and toss game that includes a frame having a pair of vertical supports arranged parallel to one another and upper, middle and lower cross members extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical supports. The frame is releasably mounted to the coupling members associated with the perimeter side wall. The heights of the vertical supports and the locations of the coupling members along the perimeter side wall are selected so that a distance between the lower cross member and the playing surface is substantially the same as a distance between the middle and lower cross members and a distance between the middle and upper cross members. 
         [0015]    The ball and toss game also includes a pair of objects attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross member. 
         [0016]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0017]    The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings figures of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional air hockey table game; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a conventional combination table which permits multiple games to be played on a common player surface; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a ball and ladder game according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention attached to a conventional game table; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of coupling members for coupling the ball and ladder game to the table game; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the ball and ladder game coupled to the table game, shown partially; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a close-up, exploded perspective view of one end of horizontal support member (cross member) of the ball and ladder game and a fastener for attachment to a vertical post thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Now referring to  FIG. 1  in which a conventional indoor table game  100  in the form of an air hockey table is illustrated. The game  100  has a main playing area  110  that includes a playing surface  112  and in the case of an air hockey table, the main playing area is horizontal and parallel to the floor or ground on which the game  100  is supported. The game  100  includes a number (e.g., 4) of legs  120  that support and elevate the main playing area  110  off the floor or ground. In the case of the illustrated air hockey game  100 , the playing surface  112  is a planar surface that resembles an ice rink and has two opposing ends  114  and two opposing sides  116  extending between the ends  114  and has four rounded corners  118  where one side  116  joins the end  114 . Centrally located at each end  114  is a goal  130 . 
         [0025]    Tiny pin-like openings or holes are formed across the entire playing surface  112  and the game  100  has an actuatable motor that generates air that is distributed to all of the openings such that thin streams of air are discharged through the openings formed across the playing surface  112 . The streams of air permit a puck  140  to easily glide along the playing surface  112  during play of the game. The game  100  also includes a pair of pushers  150 , each player holding one pusher  150  for contacting and striking and directing the puck  140  so that it glides along the surface  112  toward the other player&#39;s goal  130 . 
         [0026]    The main playing area  110  includes a vertical side wall  160  which protrudes slightly about the planar playing surface for providing side boards that help contain the puck  140  within the area of the playing surface  112 . The side wall  160  extends around the periphery of the entire main playing area  110 . A lower portion of the side wall  160  encloses the inner working components, such as the motor and conduits (tubing) that deliver the air to the openings formed in the main playing area  110 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional combination game table  300 . Combination game tables, such as table  300 , are designed so that a number of different games can be played on a common table. The illustrated table  300  is a 7-in-1 combination table (meaning 7 different games can be played); however, the table can equally be a 5-in-1 combination table (meaning 5 different games can be played). As with the other table games, the table game  300  includes a playing surface  310  and legs  320  that support the playing surface  310 . A side wall  330  extends around the playing surface  310 . 
         [0028]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 , a ball and ladder game  400  is adapted to be used in combination with a table game, such as table games  100  and  300 ; however, it will be appreciated that the ball and ladder game  400  can be used with other table games and is not limited to only being used with table games  100  and  300 . The ball and ladder game  400  includes a frame  410  that is defined by a pair of vertical posts  420 ,  430  and a plurality of horizontal support members. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  410  includes a first horizontal support member  440 , a second horizontal member  450  and a third horizontal member  460 , each of which is attached at its ends to the two vertical posts  420 ,  430 . 
         [0029]    The first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450 ,  460  are in the form of elongated rail-like structure and can have any number of different cross-sectional shapes, including a circular cross-section, a square cross-section, triangular cross-section, hexagonal cross-section, octagonal cross-section, oval cross-section, etc. The lengths of the first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450 ,  460  are preferably the same. 
         [0030]    The vertical posts  420 ,  430  represent the sidewall pieces of the ladder construction, while the first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450 ,  460  represent the rungs of the ladder construction. The two vertical posts  420 ,  430  are spaced apart from one another and are positioned so that they are parallel to one another. 
         [0031]    Any number of different techniques can be used to securely attach the two ends of each of the first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450 ,  460  to the two vertical posts  420 ,  430 . In the frame  410 , the first horizontal support member  440  represents the topmost rung of the ladder; the second horizontal support member  450  represents the middle rung of the ladder; and the third horizontal support member  460  represents the bottom rung of the ladder. Opposing ends  442  of the first horizontal support member  440  can be attached to the two spaced vertical posts  420 ,  430  by using threaded fasteners  470 . In particular, the ends  442  can include threaded bores  490  that threadingly mate with a complementary threaded fastener  470 . The vertical posts  420 ,  430  can include a first pair of through openings (bores)  480  formed therein at locations that are equidistant from the tops of the respective vertical posts  420 ,  430  and therefore are axially aligned with one another. The first horizontal support member  440  is placed on the inside of the two vertical posts  420 ,  430  so that the threaded bores  490  at ends  442  are aligned with the through openings  480  formed in the posts  420 ,  430 . One fastener  470  is passed through one opening  480  and is threadingly mated with the threaded bore at one end  442  of the first horizontal support member  470 , while, the other fastener  470  is passed through the opposite opening  480  and is threadingly mated with the threaded bore  490  at the other end  442  of the first horizontal support member  470 . Once the fasteners  470  are tightened, the first horizontal support member  440  is securely attached at a right angle to and between the two vertical posts  420 ,  430 . In this manner, the first horizontal support member  440  represents an upper rung of the ladder structure. 
         [0032]    The process is repeated with the second horizontal support member  450 ,  460  so that ends  452  of the second horizontal support member  450  and ends  462  of the third horizontal support member  460  are attached to the vertical posts  420 ,  430  by means of threaded fasteners  470  that pass through openings (through holes)  480  that are formed along the vertical posts  420 ,  430  and into the respective threaded bores  490  at ends  452 ,  462 . In this manner, three rungs of the ladder construction (frame  410 ) are formed. 
         [0033]    The first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450 ,  460  are preferably arranged so that the distance between the first and second horizontal support members  440 ,  450  is equal to the distance between the second and third horizontal support members  450 ,  460 . 
         [0034]    It will be appreciated that a number of different ways and techniques can be used to attach the first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450 ,  460  to the vertical posts  420 ,  430 . For example, the vertical frame  410  can be formed as a number of fitted pieces and in particular, each of the vertical posts  420 ,  430  can be formed of a number of different pieces that are connected with connectors, such as T-shaped connectors that not only connect two vertical post pieces but they also provide a fitting that receives a cross member (one of the horizontal support members). In this manner, the cross members are locked into place relative to the vertical posts in a friction fit manner. To prevent rotation of the cross member relative to the vertical post, the cross member can have a cross-sectional shape other than a circle, e.g., octagonal shape. 
         [0035]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention and unlike conventional ball and ladder games, the ball and ladder game  400  of the present invention is not a stand-alone unit since it does not include a base or similar structure that permits the frame  410  to stand upright by itself. Instead, the ball and ladder game  400  is configured to be mounted to and supported by the underlying table game. 
         [0036]    For purpose of illustration only, the ball and ladder game  400  is described below and is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6  as being attached to the game table  100  (air hockey table); however, it will be understood that this is merely one application for the ball and ladder game  400  since the ball and ladder game  400  can equally be securely attached to another game table, such as table  300 . 
         [0037]    To attach and mount the ball and ladder game  400  to the table game  100 , a pair of coupling members  500  are provided and are attached to opposing points of the side wall  160 . The coupling members  500  are constructed to securely, yet releasably hold the vertical posts  420 ,  430  of the frame  410  such that the entire frame  410  remains in an upright position, with the cross members (horizontal members  440 ,  450 ,  460 ) extending between the vertical posts  420 ,  430 . 
         [0038]    The pair of coupling support members  500  is provided for securely holding the assembled frame  410  in an upright position. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the coupling support members  500  is generally in the form of a bracket that has a pair of side flanges  520 ,  522  that provide mounting surfaces which are seated against and mounted to the side wall  160  of the game table  100 . Each of the support members  500  includes a main receiving body  530  that is formed between the side flanges  520 ,  522  and is constructed to receive and hold a lower end of the vertical post  420 ,  430 . For example, the main body  530  can include a side wall  532  and a floor  534  that is perpendicular to the side wall  532 . The side wall  532  preferably has an arcuate shape (e.g., U-shape) and in combination with the floor  534 , the side wall  532  and floor  534  define an interior compartment  540 . 
         [0039]    The coupling support member  500  can be formed as a single, integral component and therefore, the two side flanges  520 ,  522  and the side wall  532  are formed as a single contiguous structure. Similarly, the floor  534  can be integrally formed with the side wall  532 . 
         [0040]    One edge  536  of the floor  534  that faces toward the side wall  160  is a planar, flat edge since the edge  536  seats against the flat, planar edge of the side wall  160 . The edge  536  and the side flanges  520 ,  522  generally lie within the same plane since, once again, the inner faces of the flanges  520 ,  522  and the inner edge  536  seat against the same planar side wall  160  to permit direct mounting of the support member  500  to the side wall  160 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the floor  534  includes an opening or bore  550  formed therethrough to permit a fastener, such as threaded fastener  470 , to pass therethrough and into the interior compartment  540 . When the support member  500  is disposed and mounted to the side wall  160 , the side wall  160  closes off the open side of the interior compartment  540  since the side wall  160  extends across the open side of the side wall  532 . The shapes of the side wall  532  and the floor  534  are complementary to the shape of the vertical post  420 ,  430  to permit receipt thereof such that there is only a slight gap between the vertical post  420 ,  430  and the side wall  532 . 
         [0042]    Each coupling support member  500  is mounted to the respective locations along the side wall  160  opposite one another and across the playing surface by using conventional means, including the use of fasteners  470 . The two side flanges  520 ,  522  can each include a number of openings (through holes) that permit the fasteners  470  to be passed therethrough and into the side wall  160  to establish a connection between the support member  500  and the side wall  160 . The fasteners  470  can be any number of different types of fasteners, including bolts or screws (e.g., metal screws) so long as they securely mount the support member  500  to the side wall  160 . 
         [0043]    The coupling support members  500  are arranged so that the coupling support member  500  is mounted to the side wall  160  at one location and the other coupling support member  500  is mounted to the side wall  160  at another location that is opposite the one location. In other words, the coupling support members  500  are mounted across the playing surface from one another and preferably, the locations of the coupling support member  500  are such that, when mounted, the ball and ladder game  400  lies in a vertical plane that is parallel to the two vertical planes defined at the ends of the game table  100 . More specifically, the distance from the coupling support member  500  to the first end of the game table is the same as the distance from the other coupling support member  500  to the same first end. 
         [0044]    The lower ends of the vertical posts  420 ,  430  are similar in construction to the ends of the respective first, second and third horizontal support members  440 ,  450  and  460  in that the ends include a threaded bore formed therein. To mount the lower end of each vertical post  420 ,  430 , the lower end is inserted into the interior compartment  540  of the support member  500  that is mounted to the side wall  160 . In the embodiment where the floor  534  includes the opening or bore  550  and the lower end of the vertical post  420 ,  430  includes a threaded bore, the opening  550  and the threaded bore are axially aligned and then the threaded fastener  470  is passed through the opening  550  and threadingly engages the threaded bore resulting in the vertical post  420 ,  430  being securely attached to the floor  534  and therefore, to the coupling support member  500 . 
         [0045]    It will be appreciated that the vertical posts  420 ,  430  can be attached to the coupling support members  500  using other conventional means, besides the use of fasteners. For example, a mechanical interface or fit can be formed between the two components, as by a snap-fit or some other type of fit. 
         [0046]    It will be appreciated that when the ball and ladder game  400  is not in use and when the game table to which it is attached, such as table  100 , is likewise not in use, the ball and ladder game  400  can remain attached to the game table  100  to reduce the overall space needed to store both games. When it is desired to use the game table  100 , the ball and ladder game  400  is easily and quickly detached from the game table  100  to permit playing on the game table  100 . The coupling support members  500  do not interfere with play on the game table  100  since they are conveniently located on the side wall  160  of the game table  100  remote from the playing surface. 
         [0047]    Due to the nature of the mounting components, existing game tables, such as tables  100  and  300 , can easily be retrofitted and converted so that they can be used in combination with and to support the ball and ladder game  400 . For example, the coupling support members  500  can easily be attached to the side wall of the game table and then the ball and ladder game  400  is mounted thereto as described above. Thus, the ball and ladder game  400  can be supplied with the mounting components (brackets  500 ) to permit a consumer to easily retrofit an existing game table. 
         [0048]    The ball and ladder game  400  includes a bola  600  that has a conventional design in that it includes a length of cord attached to two objects. The bola  600  can be formed in any number of different ways. For example, the bola  600  can include a length of cord  610  that has two objects  620 ,  630  attached to the two free ends of the cord  610 . In one embodiment, the objects  620 ,  630  are molded plastic balls that resemble golf balls with an eye-loop integrally molded into the ball. The balls can come in multiple colors and can be made of hollow plastic and are generally flexible, although they are not sufficiently elastic to bounce well. The eye-loop is used to tie the cord (e.g., a nylon cord) to each ball using a conventional knot. The cord is typically not elastic. As previously mentioned, to differentiate teams, either the cord and/or the balls attached to the cord have a specific color that is different from another team&#39;s color. For example, there can be three sets of blue balls for one team and three sets of red balls for another team and if there are additional teams, each team has their own respective color. 
         [0049]    Alternatively and as shown, the bola  600  can be formed of two balls  620 ,  630 , such as molded plastic balls, that each contains an axial through hole or bore  602  extending therethrough from one side to the other side of the ball  620 ,  630 . The cord  610  is attached to each ball  620 ,  630  by passing one end of the cord  610  through the opening  602  clearly through the entire ball until the cord  610  reappears on the opposite side and then a knot is tied in the cord  610  on the other side of the ball  620 ,  630  resulting in the ball  620 ,  630  being securely attached to the cord  610 . 
         [0050]    It will be appreciated that other techniques can be used to attach the cord  610  to the two objects (balls)  620 ,  630 . In addition, the objects  620 ,  630  can likewise come in any number of different forms, besides hollow plastic balls, including solid balls, bean bags, etc. 
         [0051]    While the ball and ladder game  400  is shown as being mounted close to one end of the game table  100 , it will be appreciated that the ball and ladder game  400  can be mounted anywhere along the length of the game table  100  including at a more central location. 
         [0052]    The ability to easily mount the ball and ladder game  400  to an existing game table, such as table  100 , quickly and easily converts the table into a combination table permitting at least two games to be played at the table. In the case of the 7-in-1 combination table  300  of  FIG. 2  which permits the following games to be played Air Hockey, Knock Hockey, Bowling, Shuffle Board, Finger Football, MagnetDarts, Magnet Baseball, a person can now play 8 different games. 
         [0053]    While exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the embodiments shall be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow, and equivalents thereof. In addition, the features of the different claims set forth below may be combined in various ways in further accordance with the present invention.