Abstract:
A game board apparatus exhibiting a playing field for supporting thereupon a movable object introduced at a launch area located at one end of the playing field. A target area is positioned at a further location of the playing field for receiving the object. One or more obstacles are further located between the launch and target area and which are configured to modify a direction of travel of the object, such as to eliminate any linear path from the launch area to the target area, thus necessitating that the objects instead move along paths dictated by the obstacle(s) in order to reach the target area from the launch area.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/216,865 filed on May 26, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a game board apparatus exhibiting a playing field and a movable object rolling along the field between a launch end and a target area with one or more obstacles positioned there between to prevent linear travel of the object and to encourage travel along a direction influenced by any one or more of the obstacles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Nowadays, video games are one of the most popular forms of gaming device amongst teens and young adults. While the games are entertaining for a solo player, there is a lack when it comes to face-to-face human interactions. The classic board games which promote competition and camaraderie with friends and family are not lost. Friends and families alike still enjoy the Saturday game night or great Thursday bowling league. Humans thrive with personal interactions, and search for new ways to keep the fun alive. 
         [0004]    In the search for personal interactions and overall fun, people like to be challenged and seek games of skill for this purpose. Many board games leave the outcome to chance, requiring merely the roll of the dice or the roll of a ball that deflects off a peg in an advantageous manner. These games, although they can be fun, do not require the technical skill and technique that most people enjoy. 
         [0005]    Games like bowling or shuffle board provide the aspects of fun and technical skill to entertain numerous players. These games allow the player to send a ball or disk across a playing surface to strategically either knock down pins or land at a desired location. While these particular games are fun, another element of skill could be added to increase the enjoyment. Thus there is a need to a game which not only sends a ball or a disk across a playing field but also includes a more challenging aspect to stimulate fun and excitement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention discloses a game board apparatus which is configured to increase the technical skill and technique required by players. A playing field is provided and exhibits a launch area at one end for launching a movable object, such as a ball. A target area is configured at a generally opposite end of the playing field for receiving the moveable object introduced from the launch area. 
         [0007]    One or more obstacles are positioned between the launch area and target area, each of which being configured to eliminate any linear path of the movable object from the launch area to the target area, such that the movable object must move along a direction influenced by the obstacle(s) in order to reach the target area. The obstacle(s) each include at least one curved surface over which the movable object must travel to reach the target area. The target area may include a plurality of pockets to receive the movable object after it moves from the launch area and past the obstacle(s). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a game board apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the game board apparatus taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  and illustrating a concave shaped obstacle; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an alternative sectional view of a game board apparatus similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  and depicting a convex shaped obstacle; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a game board incorporating a stick for initiating travel of an object; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  and illustrating a side profile of the playing field; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a further cutaway view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  and illustrating a widthwise established undulating pattern exhibited by the a pair of obstacles; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a further cutaway view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4  and showing the obstacles to exhibit rounded or smoothed edges for facilitating movement of the object along the playing field surface; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  and illustrating in side profile the features of the apparatus which also include a return chute and collection pocket located approximate a launch ramp. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    With reference now to the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a top view of a game board is generally illustrated at  100  and which depicts a playing field  101 . Without limitation as depicted throughout the several illustrated embodiments, as well as is further contemplated by additional embodiments envisioned but not shown, the playing field  101  can include any three dimensional playing surface (also contemplated to include a flat surface with concave depressions or convex protrusions as given locations) and which may be surrounded on all sides by an interconnecting perimeter or wall  102 . The perimeter defining wall  102  can further include the provision of a bumper  103 . 
         [0019]    The game board  100  may be constructed to sit upon a table or it may be constructed to have supporting legs that are already attached. The game board  100  may exhibit any desired size or dimension and, in one non-limiting variant, may be of the standard size exhibiting 3′ by 6′, such as depending on a particular construction for the players&#39; needs or desires. Also, the game board  100  may be constructed from any desired material not limited to any of wood, vacuum formed plastic, molded fiberglass, or any composite material which would be understood may someone skilled in the art to withstand normal game play. The playing field  101  may be covered adhesively with a felt like material. 
         [0020]    A starting or launch area or section  104  is located at a generally first end of the playing field  101 , at which point a user (not shown) introduces any type of movable object, identified herein as a traveler  106  and such as which is generally understood to include any type of rollable or traversable object exhibiting any curved/arcuate/rounded consistency such as further a suitably dimensioned ball in order to encourage traverse across the playing field  101 . Without limitation, the movable object may also be configured as any of a puck, disc or other shape which may allow it to glide or displace in some desired fashion along the playing field  101 . 
         [0021]    A line  105  is referenced in  FIG. 1  and which may indicate a boundary established between the launching area  104  and a main area of the playing field  101 . A target area  108  is generally located at a point upon the playing field  101  proximate an opposite end with respect to the launching area  104 . As further shown in  FIG. 1 , an obstacle  107  is depicted at a generally midpoint location of the playing field  101  between the launching area  104  and the target area  108 . Without limitation, the obstacle  107  may include one or more curved surfaces the configuration of which may obstruct any otherwise linear path favored by travel of the traveler  106  such as upon an otherwise flat or level surface from the launching area  104  to the target area  107 . 
         [0022]    In other words, when the ball  106  starts moving at the launch area  104  and subsequently along the playing field  101 , it must pass through the obstacle  107  in order to reach the target area  107 . The dotted line on  FIG. 1  illustrates the path of movement for the traveler  106  along the playing field  101  to the target area  108 . 
         [0023]    In use, and while playing the game, associated game rules prohibit the player from contact with the traveler  106  after it passes the line  105 , thus leaving the launching area  104 . The skill involved comes in how the player pushes the traveler  106  so that it rolls strategically along the playing field  101 . The angle, speed and spin that the player may add to the traveler  106 , all effect how the traveler  106  will move across the obstacle  107  and if the traveler  106  will reach the target area  108 . 
         [0024]    Referring to the cutaway of  FIG. 2 , a section of the game board  100  is shown. The wall  102  is shown with the bumper  103  attached. The bumper  103  allows for the traveler  106  to be deflected from the wall  102  and move in another direction along the playing field  101 . A variation of the obstacle is further depicted generally at  107   a  as a concave or depression shaping within the playing field  101 . The obstacle  107   a  may allow the traveler  106  to roll into the concave and subsequently roll out (such as again in a manner so that any previous direction of travel is modified). 
         [0025]    In use, and if the player does not exert an adequate degree of force to roll the traveler  106 , then the traveler  106  may remain within the concave of obstacle  107   a . The traveler  106  may also roll into the target area  108  after rolling through the concave obstacle  107   a . A leg  108  may be constructed under the board game  100  to either place the game board  100  upon a table or allow the game board  100  to stand on its own. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternative sectional view is shown of the game board  100 . The obstacle is further depicted at  107   b  illustrated as a convexed obstacle, mound or bulge over which the traveler  106  may roll or otherwise traverse. With this alternatively configured obstacle  107   b , the player must use enough force to roll the traveler  106  over the mound  107   b  or the traveler  106  will return to the player at the launching area  104 . If the traveler  106  has enough force then it may roll beyond the obstacle  107   b  and into the target area  108 . Once again, a leg  109  may be constructed under the board game  100  to either place the game board  100  upon a table or allow the game board  100  to stand on its own. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  a top view of an alternative embodiment of the game board  200  is shown. A playing field  201  may be surrounded on three sides by an interconnecting perimeter or wall  202  which may again include a bumper  203 . One or more sides of the game board  200  can be configured with either a modified dimensioned wall  202 , and such as which may be located at one end of the elongated portion of the game board  200  which may contain a shortened wall  204  without a bumper. 
         [0028]    Adjacent to the shortened wall (such as located at an introduction or launch area) may be a trough or tray  205 . Adjacent to the trough  205  may be located a suitably configured launch area  206  specific to this variant. The launch area  206  is again where a traveler  207  (similar in respects to that previously depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  at  106 ) may start rolling. The traveler  207  may be struck by a stick  208  to start movement. The stick  208  may be a cue stick, mallet or other device to strike the traveler to initiate movement. 
         [0029]    In a generally central or mid portion of the playing field are illustrated one or more obstacles  209   a ,  209   b  and  210 . The obstacles  209   a ,  209   b , and  210  (without limitation) may be shaped as concaved depressions or mounds which may allow the traveler  207  to travel across them easily. The obstacles  209   a ,  209   b , and  210  may be situated directly adjacent to each other (as generally illustrated), may be reconfigured so as to exhibit a partially overlapping pattern such as to enhance a difficulty level of the playing field  201  or may be spaced apart. 
         [0030]    A target area may be located on an opposite side of the obstacles  209   a ,  209   b  and  210  relative the launch area  206 . As shown, the target area may contain a plurality of pockets  211   a ,  211   b ,  212   a ,  212   b ,  213   a ,  213   b  and  214  such as which are depicted without limitation in a generally “U” shaped or winding perimeter around and behind a largest rear obstacle  210 . Each pocket in the plurality of pockets  211   a ,  211   b ,  212   a ,  212   b ,  213   a ,  213   b  and  214  may be shallow enough for the traveler  107  to rest, yet easy enough for a second traveler (not shown) to knock it out of the pocket. According to a desired game play rule, each pocket  211   a ,  211   b ,  212   a ,  212   b ,  213   a ,  213   b  and  214  may represent a different numeric value, such that the player may earn points represented by the assigned numeric value when the traveler  207  is caused to rest within the corresponding pocket. Multiple travelers may be used to correspond with the number of players or with the number of rolls or turns that each player may have. When a traveler  207  is not in use, it may be stored in the trough  205 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5  a diagram illustrating the sectional view through the center of the game board along the line  5 - 5  of the game board  200  of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. A playing field  201  as depicted in this variant may encompass a majority if not all of the game board  200 . A perimeter extending wall  202  may again incorporate a bumper  203  which may be configured along an inside portion of the wall  202 . As further shown,  FIG. 5  illustrates the shortened wall  204  shown across an inlet/launch area and which may be dimensioned as necessary so that the stick  208  may have sufficient clearance to strike the traveler  207  to initiate movement. 
         [0032]    The proximately located trough  205  is also depicted as lower than the playing field  201  such as in to hold or store one or more traveler  207 . The obstacle  210  is shown as a concave shape in side cutaway, but is again understood as capable of being reconfigured so to exhibit any desired convex mound or bulge shaping. The selected pocket  214  illustrated depicts how each of the pockets  211   a ,  211   b ,  212   a ,  212   b ,  213   a ,  213   b  and  214  may be dimensioned so as to be deep enough for the traveler  207  to come to rest, the pockets further being configured according to the desired rules of play to be shallow enough for another traveler to knock an initially positioned traveler out of place, as well as bump such a traveler into another pocket or move it back into one of the obstacles  209   a ,  209   b  or  210 . Table legs  215   a  and  215   b  may be utilized as shown in  FIG. 5  to allow the game board  200  to stand on its own or on top of a table. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a sectional view is shown along line  6 - 6  taken form  FIG. 4  of a game board according to a slightly modified alternative embodiment and which includes obstacles depicted at  209   a  and  209   b  which may be constructed to have rounded or smoothed edges (also understood to encompass a generally undulating or wave-like pattern) so as to allow the traveler  207  to roll or glide easily along the surface of the playing field  201 . The obstacles  209   a  and  209   b  may be situated directly adjacent to each other (as shown) or they may have some space between them. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7  the sectional view through an alternative embodiment of the game board  200  along the line  7 - 7  is shown. The obstacles  209   b  and  210  may have rounded or smooth edges to allow the traveler  207  to easily move along the surface of the playing field  201 . The obstacles  209   b  and  210  may be situated directly adjacent to each other (as shown) or there may be some space between them. The pocket  213   a  may be smaller and shallower than the obstacles  209   b  and  210 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a top plan view is shown of a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a game board  300 . This embodiment is similarly designed like the second embodiment of the game board  200 , wherein there may be a playing field  301 , surrounded on three sides by a wall  302  with a bumper  303 . There may again be a start or launch area  304  wherein the traveler (as previously depicted at either  106  or  207 ) may start movement. 
         [0036]    Also depicted are three obstacles  305   a ,  305   b  and  307  which may each be constructed as a concave or smoothed depression or a convex mound or bulge. The obstacles  305   a ,  305   b  and  307  may also contain centrally located holes as respectively shown at  306   a ,  306   b  and  308 . The holes  306   a ,  306   b  and  308  may be dimensioned wide enough to allow the traveler to fit through easily after rolling into a selected and associated obstacle  305   a ,  305   b  or  307 . 
         [0037]    The target area may be located on the opposite side of the obstacles  305   a  and  305   b  from the launch area  304 , and may or may not include the obstacle  307 . The target area may further include a plurality of pockets shown at  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  and  312 . Numerical values may be assigned to specific pockets  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  or  312 , with the numerical values corresponding to point values while playing the game. A tray  313  may collect or store the travelers, and may be constructed adjacent to the start or launch area  304 . 
         [0038]    Referring finally to  FIG. 9  a sectional view is shown taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  and depicting a further desired embodiment of game board  300 . Similar to the game board  200 , the game board  300  may contain a playing field  301 , which may be surrounded on three sides by a wall  302  with a bumper  303 . The game board  300  may also contain a leg or support  316 . The concave shaped obstacle shown at  307  may be larger in width and depth than the pocket  312 . 
         [0039]    The hole  308  may be suitably dimensioned to allow the traveler to fall through the playing field  301  and land into a chute  315 . As shown, the chute  315  may guide the traveler to roll under the playing field  301  and into the tray  313 , which may again collect or store multiple travelers.  FIG. 9  also illustrates the ramp  314  which may initiate movement of the traveler on the playing field  301 . The ramp  314  may have a height of varying degree which corresponds to the length of the game board  300  and the starting area  304 . 
         [0040]    According to one non-limiting variant of game play, a player may roll the traveler down the ramp  314 , through one or more of the obstacles  305   a ,  305   b  and  307  and into a hole  306   a ,  306   b  or  308  or into one of the pockets  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  or  312  in the target area. The skill of the player in deciding the angle, speed and spin of the traveler may help them to maneuver the traveler along the playing field  301 . 
         [0041]    Multiple travelers may be used, and various colors may be assigned to the travelers for various players. The numerical values assigned to the pockets  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  and  312  may represent point values which may be added as a score for the player(s). Once the traveler of one player rolls into a pocket  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  or  312 , another traveler may knock out or remove the first traveler from the pocket  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  or  312 . The removed traveler may then either roll into another pocket  309   a ,  309   b ,  310   a ,  310   b ,  311   a ,  311   b  or  312  or into an obstacle  305   a ,  305   b  or  307 . If the traveler rolls into the obstacle  305   a ,  305   b  or  307 , it may be returned to the tray  313  by means of the chute  315 . After the traveler returns to the tray  313 , it may be rolled during the present game or held until a new game is started. 
         [0042]    Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.