Abstract:
A target for a tossing game is disclosed comprising a soft metallic surface adapted for use as a washer tossing game. The disclosed soft metallic target absorbs the impact of a tossed object such as a washer and allows it to remain at or near the point of impact rather than bouncing or ricocheting away.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to games of skill, and in particular to games involving tossing projectiles at a target. More particularly, it relates to a target and target surface for use with washers as the projectiles. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Washers is a game of skill similar in many respects to horseshoes. Participants attempt to toss washers onto a target to score points. In its traditional form, the game consists of two pits located opposite one another with recessed portions, or cups, near their centers. Points are earned by throwing a washer in the cup or nearest to the cup. 
         [0005]    The cup is often formed from a standard 32 ounce can or from a piece of pipe of similar diameter placed in the ground such that its upper edge is level with the surface. The cup is typically placed in a pit, similar to a horseshoe pit, where it is surrounded by bare dirt or possibly sand. The hole is typically placed somewhat off-center, nearer the back than the front of the pit. 
         [0006]    The game is typically played with standard washers (2.5″ outer diameter and 1″ inner diameter) available from any hardware store. The washers are typically painted or otherwise marked to avoid confusion and dispute as to which player or team each washer belongs. 
         [0007]    Various variations of traditional washers have been made in order to make the game portable or permit it to be played indoors. One of the most common types of games use targets with one or more holes through which a player attempts to throw a washer. These games have been manufactured from hard materials and suffer some significant drawbacks. Primarily, tossed washers that do not fall into the target hole usually ricochet away from the target and may strike and even damage surrounding objects, especially when used inside a home. This tendency also diminishes the quality of game play as points are normally he awarded for the toss nearest the target hole if no washer has gone in the hole. If there are no washers on the target surface awarding such points may be difficult or impossible. 
         [0008]    Another very common variation uses a target with one or more target areas separated by a short dividing wall or barrier. Often such games have a cylindrical shaped container as a bulls-eye and one or more additional walls that may or may not be of the same shape. These games are typically bulky and difficult to transport. Also, washers may ricochet off of the top of sides of the target walls as described above. 
         [0009]    Jeandron (U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,930) discloses a ring toss game with a target pad made of a resilient material, such as polyurethane, for use with small washers described as similar in size and diameter to a penny. Jeandron teaches that the resilient material will absorb the impact of the projectile and reduce ricochets. However, the small washers of Jeandron can be difficult to throw accurately because of their size. Furthermore, when used outdoors, the small projectile can be affected by wind and rendered practically unusable. 
         [0010]    There remains a need in the art for a washers target that is durable when used with larger washers and that reduces the number of washer ricochets during use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with this disclosure, the problem of washers ricocheting off of a target surface is significantly reduced by using a target surface comprising a soft metal. The target surface absorbs the force of the washer&#39;s impact reducing its momentum and causing it to remain on the surface, typically at or near the point of impact. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the disclosed playing target. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the disclosed playing target. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the disclosed playing target. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the disclosed playing target. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed target as it might be used in a game of washers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    The present disclosure provides a portable washer game. The game comprises a soft metallic surface adapted to function as a target area for the tossed washers. It is preferably attached to a base piece, but no additional structure beyond the target is strictly necessary to practice the claims. The disclosed target overcomes deficiencies in the prior art by providing a target comprising a soft metallic surface. The disclosed surface absorbs impact forces from thrown washers, allowing the washer to remain on the surface rather than bouncing or rebounding off into the surrounding area. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the disclosed game target is shown. The preferred target is circular in shape as viewed from above, but no particular shape is required. The disclosed target material preferably covers a substantial portion of the game target surface, but it is not necessary that it cover all or any particular minimum percentage of the target. 
         [0019]    The preferred target  11  comprises a soft metallic material. The preferred material is lead, or lead containing alloys, due to its softness. However, any other soft metal and/or metal alloy, such as tin, aluminum, copper, and/or pewter may be used-including alloys containing these and/or other substances. A metal is considered soft for purposes of this disclosure if it will perform the functions of the target described in this disclosure. More precisely, when used as a target surface a metal should tend to absorb impact energy from a washer tossed thereon, especially when the lead edge of the washer is the first part of the washer to strike the target. 
         [0020]    Target  11  is preferably attached to base  12 , which may be made of any material. The preferred materials are rigid polymers because of their durability, light weight, and cost, but other materials, such as wood, could be substituted. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , target  11  is preferably recessed into base  12  such that it&#39;s outer edge is not exposed and it&#39;s upper surface is level with the upper surface of the base piece. Target  11  may be attached to base  12  by any means appropriate for the selected materials. Alternatively, base  12  may extend above the surface of target  11  and overlaps onto target  11  to help secure it in place, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0022]    The preferred target includes a bulls eye in the center of the target. Preferably, this is a opening or hole through the target, as illustrated by  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Alternatively, it may extend only part-way through base  12 , as shown by FIG  4 . The inner edge of target  11  may extend to the edge of bull&#39;s eye  13 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , or may abut base  12  near bull&#39;s eye  13 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a pair of one embodiment of the disclosed game in use. The two targets are disposed some chosen distance apart from each other. A player stands near one target and attempts to toss washer(s)  14  onto the other target. 
         [0024]    The disclosed target  11  functions best when washer  14  is tossed such that the leading edge of washer  14  is the first part of washer  14  to impact target  11 . Thus, it is preferable that washer  14  be tossed in a way that its leading edge is somewhat lower in elevation than the trailing edge. The disclosed target  11  also functions best with a washer  14  that has a square rather than rounded edge impacting target  11 , as described above. The described washer and throwing technique take best advantage of the properties of the disclosed target  11 . 
         [0025]    The game generally functions better when the coefficient of friction between washer  14  and target  11  is higher, but no particular minimum coefficient of friction is required to practice the claimed invention. 
         [0026]    Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except as and to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.