Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims the priority of, and incorporates by reference the entirety of each of, the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/694,705, filed Jun. 27, 2005; 60/713,037, filed Aug. 31, 2005; 60/760,844, filed Jan. 20, 2006; and 60/781,990, filed Mar. 14, 2006. The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/475,830, filed Jun. 27, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present patent application relates generally to manually played games and, more particularly, concerns games involving dropping of game pieces, or the like, into scoring areas. 
         [0003]    With the soaring popularity of sports action computer games, manual games have suffered a steep decline. However, manual games offered training in hand-eye coordination and certain athletic skills that is just not available from operating computer controllers. A form of manual game that was popular in amusement arcades involved rolling a ball down an alley which ended in an upward ramp that launched the ball towards a playing surface with openings dimensioned to receive the ball. Different openings were associated with different point values (positive and negative), allowing the player to accumulate a score by playing a fixed number of balls. As entertaining as such a game might be, it lacked the attraction and excitement of sports which are currently popular, and a game of this type which would be useful would be far too expensive for home use. 
         [0004]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a manual game which incorporates the physical realism of popular sports. In particular, sports such as football, basketball, soccer and golf are specifically contemplated. 
         [0005]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a manual game with sufficient versatility to simulate multiple sports. 
         [0006]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a manual game which is simple and inexpensive in construction, can be assembled readily by a person of ordinary skill, and can be played by individuals of all ages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a manual game is provided which simulates American football. The game has a playing surface with multiple openings having indicia associated with football activities, and players toss game pieces at the surface in order to achieve football action determined by the indicia of the opening into which a game piece drops. The game includes a goal structure with a pair of uprights, and players attempt to score field goals and points after touchdown by tossing a game piece between the uprights. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a manual game is provided which has multiple openings in a playing surface, and the game involves players tossing game pieces into the openings. A plurality of template plates are provided to effect different games, and each template plate has a subset of the openings and covers at least one of them. As a result, different games are available with different patterns of openings. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a blank, planar form is provided which can be folded and assembled into a game chassis which includes a playing surface with multiple openings into which a game piece may be tossed. The form is made of an inexpensive sheet material which can be easily manufactured, and is of such a configuration that it can be assembled easily by individuals of ordinary skill. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The foregoing brief description and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be understood more completely from the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments in accordance with the present invention, with reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the game chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the playing surface of the game chassis of  FIGS. 1 and 2   
           [0014]      FIGS. 4-8  are plan views of overlay templates useful with the game chassis of  FIG. 1  to create a basketball game, a soccer game, a golf game, an auto racing game, and a general tossing game, respectively; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a form useful in manufacturing the game chassis of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a front view of a preferred scoreboard element; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment  10  of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view thereof. The game broadly comprises a hollow, generally wedge-shaped body  12  having a top surface  14  which slopes forward and downward as a result of the wedge-shape. In addition, body  12  is formed with a pair of rear legs  16 ,  16  which raise the rear of body  12  further above a supporting surface than the front, causing surface  14  to have an increased slope. Surface  14  has a plurality of generally circular openings  14   a , in the preferred embodiment, 18 openings. At the rear of body  12 , there is provided an upright goal structure  18  which has the appearance of a football goal with uprights  18   a ,  18   a.    
         [0021]    Along either side and its front edge, surface  14  includes a plurality of upstanding walls  14   b . These walls are constructed to permit a template plate  40  to be placed on top of surface  14  and to be retained in position by the upright walls  14   b . In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of such template plates  40 - 1  through  40 - n  are provided and include a subset of the holes  14   a  provided on surface  14 , thereby masking the excluded holes. As a result, different template plates may be placed upon surface  14  so as to modify the number and configuration of openings  14   a  which are exposed. As explained further below, this permits the game to be modified so as to permit different games to be placed. 
         [0022]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that walls  14   b  could be replaced by small upright projections or any other form of fixation may be used for the plates  40 - 1  through  40 - n , such as small hook-and-pile fasteners of the type known in the trade under the trademark “Velcro”. 
         [0023]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is intended to be a football game. Accordingly, surface  14  is preferably provided with indicia related to football activities, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , which is a plan view of surface  14  with all indicia on it. It should be noted that each opening is associated with the result of running a play in football. For example, the upper right hand opening corresponds to “30 yard up and out” and the opening immediately below corresponds to “20 yard slant.” Similarly, the upper left hand opening corresponds to “35 yard deep out” and the opening immediately below corresponds to “25 yard fly.” In between these four openings, there are three openings which correspond to negative results, such as a “15 yard roughing penalty,” a “10 yard sack,” and an “interception.” The central opening has the highest value (“50 yard bomb”) and is surrounded by openings corresponding to negative results. Similarly, the lower right hand opening is a “10 yard counter”, and the opening immediately above is a “15 yard sweep.” The lower left hand opening is a “10 yard pitch” and the opening immediately above is a “15 yard draw.” The lower middle opening is a “5 yard drive,” but the openings immediately above it all correspond to negative results. The close proximity of negative results to positive ones introduces an element of risk and excitement. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the indicia indicated in  FIG. 3  may be provided directly on surface  14 , or they may be placed upon one of the template plates  40 - 1  through  40 - n . It is also to be anticipated herein that other and different configurations can be used for the indicia related to the openings, but preferably maintaining the positive and negative results in close correspondence to each other. 
         [0024]    The disclosed embodiment of game chassis  10  is preferably about 10 inches long, 6 inches wide and 4 inches high at the highest point, with a goal post assembly  18  extending upward an additional 4.5 inches. The goal post opening is preferably 2¼ inches square and each of the openings  14   a  is preferably about one inch in diameter. At the front, surface  14  is preferably about an inch above the surface on which the chassis stands. A game of this size can conveniently be used on a tabletop with the players standing 4-5 feet away. Each player is provided with a number of game playing pieces, which may be a coin, a token, a puff, a beanbag, or the like. 
         [0025]    The game also includes a scoreboard element  30  as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this embodiment, the scoreboard is related to football scoring. Accordingly, there is provided a down marker  32  with a slide  34  which is moved to indicate the down for the team in possession of the ball. As it may be seen, there are four predetermined positions for slide  34  corresponding to first, second, third, and fourth down. Above the down marker  32  there is provided a field position marker  36  which has a slide  38 , which moves vertically, to indicate the position of the ball on the field. At the side of the position marker, there is also provided a slide  42  which marks the first down position, that is, the position on the field that must be reached by a player in order to achieve a first down. Above the position marker, there is a quarter marker  44  having a horizontal slide  46  with four marked positions indicating the first, second, third, and fourth quarters. Above the quarter marker, there is an erasable score area  48  having columns for the home team and visitor. The score is maintained in real time, and four separate lines  50  are provided for respective quarters. At the bottom of the area  48 , is provided a “total” line  52  into which a final score is written. The preferred embodiment also includes a pen  54 , which is inserted is a channel in element  30 . 
         [0026]    Play begins with a coin toss, the winner of which can decide whether he wishes to be the home team or the visitor. The visitor team will receive first. Then, the home team takes his position at the toss line and the field position marker  36  is set at his 20 yard line, and the first down slide is positioned at the 30 yard line. Thereafter, the home team will toss one of the game pieces at the game chassis  10  in an effort to have it drop into one of the holes in the surface  14 . The field position marker is then adjusted in relationship to the hole into which the playing piece falls. For example, if a playing piece falls into the lowest center hole, the field position marker is advanced by 5 yards. The down marker is similarly advanced by one. If the playing piece does not drop into any of the holes, only the down marker is advanced. A player is given four opportunities to reach or pass the position of the first down slide  34 , with the down marker being incremented after each attempt. If a player achieves a first down, the down slide  34  is reset to its original position, giving the player an additional four downs. If the player fails to achieve a first down, “possession” of the ball changes and the other player steps to the toss line. At that point, both the field position slide  38  and the first down slide  40  are moved in the opposite direction. 
         [0027]    Scoring occurs when the field position slide  38  reaches one of its extreme ends. If a player reaches the extreme end of slide  38  at his own (starting) end of the field (i.e., 0 yards) a “safety” (and possession) is awarded to the other player and two points are added to his score. If a player reaches the extreme of the slide  38  opposite his starting and (i.e., 100 yards), he scores a touchdown and six points are added to his score. After a player scores a touchdown, he is given the opportunity to “kick” for an extra point, or if he has reached or passed the 30-yard line on the opposite side of the field, he may attempt to “kick” a field goal. In order to attempt the “kick” a player steps to the kick line which is, preferably, one foot closer to the game chassis  10  and attempts to toss a game piece between the two uprights  18  comprising the goal  18 . The player who is successful in a kick after a touchdown is awarded one point and a player who is successful in a field goal attempt is awarded three points. The players toss position for a field goal is determined by the position of the field position slide  38 . For every 10 yards closer than the 30-yard line, the player may step forward six inches. 
         [0028]    If he chooses, a player may try for a 2-point conversion instead of a kick after a touchdown. If he wishes to try for a 2-point conversion, he must state so after scoring a touchdown and must then toss a playing piece from the normal toss position. He will score two points if the playing piece falls into any opening on surface  14  with a positive yardage value. 
         [0029]    After a player scores, the other player will assume possession and begin play from his own 20-yard line. The one exception is that after scoring a safety, a player retains possession and begins play from his own 20-yard line. 
         [0030]    Preferably, a quarter will end after each player has had two possessions. However, the players may agree that a game will be timed. For example, the players may agree that a game will take twenty minutes and that each quarter will last five minutes. The third quarter will begin with the visitor having possession. 
         [0031]    One overtime period will be available if, at the end of the fourth quarter, the teams are tied. A coin toss determines which team goes first, and the first team to score in overtime wins. 
         [0032]    It is contemplated that the present embodiment would permit different games to be played by simply overlaying a template  20 - 1  through  20 - n  on surface of  14  of game chassis  10 , in order to change games. For example,  FIG. 4  illustrates an overlay template  40 - 1 , which permits a game of basketball to be played. In this case, template  40 - 1  exposes only eight of the openings  14   a  in surface  14 . In this case, the indicia at the openings correspond to basketball events. This game is preferably played by two players, but it may be played by one player for practice. The players will toss a coin to determine which one goes first. That player positions himself at the tossing line and begins play by tossing a game piece at the game chassis  10 . If the game piece goes into one of the openings corresponding to a point score, he is awarded that many points, and gets another opportunity to toss a game piece. If a player fails to score points on a game piece toss, the other player steps up to the tossing line and begins tossing game pieces. The first player to reach a score of 21 the wins. Alternatively, the players could toss alternately. Another variation of the game would be that the first player attempts a shot of his choice. If he misses the shot, the second player has the opportunity to attempt a shot of his choice. If a player makes a shot of his choice, the other player must immediately make the same shot or the successful player wins a point. The first player to score an agreed number of points, for example five, is the winner. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates an overlay template  40 - 2  which emulates playing a game of soccer. In this case, template  40 - 2  exposes only five of the openings  14   a  in surface  14 , and the indicia at the openings correspond to soccer events. Preferably, the game is played by two players, but one player may play for practice. The players will toss a coin to determine which one goes first. That player positions himself at the tossing line and begins play by tossing a game piece at the game chassis  10 . The only way he can score is if the game piece falls into the middle opening in the lower row. The player can continue to toss game pieces as long as the game piece falls into the goal opening, and he is awarded one point for each goal. As soon as he misses the goal, it is the other player&#39;s turn. The first player to score  10  goals is the winner. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  illustrates an overlay template  40 - 3  which emulates playing a game of golf. In this case, template  40 - 3  exposes only nine of the openings  14   a  in surface  14 . In this case, the indicia at the openings correspond to golf events. Preferably, the game is played by two players, but one player may play for practice. The players will toss a coin to determine which one goes first. That player positions himself at the tossing line and begins play by tossing a game piece at the game chassis  10 . In his first turn, he must drop the game piece into whole  1 . He must keep tossing at hole  1  until the game piece goes in. His score for that hole will be the number of tosses necessary for a game piece to go in. Next, the other player attempts to toss a game piece into hole  1 , and his score for that hole will be the number of attempts necessary. The nine holes are played in order, with each player getting a score for each hole, and the winner of the game is the one with the lowest total score. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  illustrates an overlay template  40 - 4  which emulates auto racing. In this case, template  40 - 4  exposes only twelve of the openings  14   a  in surface  14 , and the indicia at the openings correspond to auto racing events. Preferably, the game is played by two players, but one player may play for practice. The players will toss a coin to determine which one goes first. That player positions himself at the tossing line and begins play by tossing a game piece at the game chassis  10 . Thereafter, the other player will toss, and the players will take turns tossing. Depending upon the opening into which the game piece falls, the players will gain or lose laps. Any player whose game piece drops into the center opening is awarded an additional toss. No player&#39;s accumulated laps can ever be less than zero. The first player to reach 10 laps is the winner. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates an overlay template  40 - 5  which provides a general toss game. In this case, template  40 - 5  exposes only eight of the openings  14   a  in surface  14 , and the indicia at the openings correspond to points, there being two openings at the top valued at 20 points each, two openings at the bottom valued at 10 points each, and four central openings and a diamond pattern valued at five points each. Preferably, the game is played by two players, but one player may play for practice. The players will toss a coin to determine which one goes first. That player positions himself at the tossing line and begins play by tossing a game piece at the game chassis  10 . Thereafter, the players take turns tossing. If a game piece drops into an opening, the tossing player is awarded that number of points. The first player to reach an agreed score, say 100 points, is the winner. 
         [0037]    Game chassis  10  is preferably made of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, but it may be made of any firm sheet material that can be folded.  FIG. 9  is a plan view of a preferred blank form  50  for manufacturing game chassis  10 . The form  50  broadly comprises a generally rectangular central panel  52 , left and right wing panels  54 L and  54 R, left and right leg panels  56 L and  56 R, a lower panel  58  and a goal panel  60 . Form  50  is conveniently formed from a single sheet of material by a known process, such as stamping. Thereafter, it may be formed conveniently into the game chassis  10  as will be explained further below. 
         [0038]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that central panel  52  will provide surface  14  of the finished game chassis  10 , and the openings  14   a  therein correspond to the openings  14   a  in surface  14 . 
         [0039]    The wing panels  54 L,  54 R are identical mirror images. Accordingly, only panel  54 R will be described. At the juncture between panels  52  and  54 R, a fold line  60  is provided, along which three rectangular cuts in panel  52  are interspersed. The outer margin  64  of panel  54 R forms approximately a 15° angle to fold line  60 , so that panel  54 R is generally triangular. At the top edge of panel  54 R, there is formed a tab  64 , which is slightly undercut at  64 ′,  64 ′ along the top edge of the panel  54 R. The bottom end  66  of panel  54 R is separated from the main panel by a fold line  68 , which has a slot  69  formed therein. 
         [0040]    The leg panels  56 L,  56 R are identical mirror images. Accordingly, only panel  56 R will be described. Panel  56 R is separated from panel  52  by a fold line  70  and has a laterally protruding portion  72  which is separated from the main panel by a fold line  74  including a slit  76 , which is somewhat narrower than tab  64 . Slit  76  is positioned to be the same distance from fold line  70  that tab  64  is from fold line  74 , which permits tab  64  to be inserted within slit  76  when game chassis  10  is assembled, as explained further below. 
         [0041]    Lower panel  58  is separated from central panel  52  by a fold line  78 , along which there are formed two rectangular cuts  80 ,  80  in panel  52 . On either side of panel  58 , a tab  82  protrude laterally and is undercut slightly along fold line  60 . Tab  82  is somewhat wider than slit  69  and is positioned to be the same distance from fold line  78  that slit  69  is from fold line  60 . This permits tabs  82  to be inserted within slits  69  when game chassis  10  is assembled, as explained further below. 
         [0042]    Goal panel  60  is separated from panel  52  by a fold line  84 . It will be appreciated that panel  60  comprises the goal  18  with the uprights  18   a ,  18   a . In addition, a strut element  86  projects between the uprights from a fold line  88 . Strut element  86  is formed with an undercut tab  90 , which is dimensioned to fit within an undercut slot  92  in panel  52 . 
         [0043]    The initial step in assembling game chassis  10  is folding down the wing panels  54 L and  54 R along fold lines  60 . This causes the rectangular cutouts  62 ,  62 ,  62  to protrude upwardly, forming the small walls  14   b ,  14   b ,  14   b . Next, lower panel  58  is folded down along the line  78 , causing the rectangular cutouts  80 ,  80  to protrude upwardly, to form the small walls  14   b ,  14   b . Tabs  82  may then be inserted into slits  69 , causing the walls  54 L,  58 , and  54 R to be assembled together. Portion  72  may then be folded down along line  74 , panel  56 R folded down along line  70 , and tab  64  inserted into slits  76 , causing leg panel  56 R and panel  54 R to be joined together. Leg panel  506 L may be joined to wing panel  54 L the same manner. The entire game chassis  10  is then assembled, except for the goal  18 . 
         [0044]    To assemble the goal  18 , panel  60  is folded upwardly along line  84 , strut portion  86  is folded downwardly along line  88 , and tab  90  is inserted into slot  92 . With the goal so assembled, strut portion  86  assists in supporting goal  18  in an upright position. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment  10 ′ of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention. Game chassis  10 ′ broadly comprises a primary panel  110  supported on a forward incline via a front pedestal  112  and a rear pedestal  114 , and a goal assembly  18 ′ projecting upwardly at the rear of chassis  10 ′. As best seen in  FIG. 10 , panel  110  has an upper surface  14  which is identical to the surface  14  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the dimensions a generally the same as the dimensions of game chassis  10 . Panel  110  is preferably a sheet of plywood, particleboard, or the like. Pedestal  112  is preferably a board and pedestal  114  may similarly be formed from boards or from a sheet of plywood, or the like. Goal assembly  118 ′ is preferably formed of a tubular material and is preferably mounted in a recess in panel  110 . Although chassis  10 ′ is illustrated as being made of wooden components  110 ,  112  and  114 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that it could also be made with plastic panels, or the like, or it could be molded as a single element. Chassis  10 ′ would be used in the same way as chassis  10 , requiring the use of game pieces and a scoreboard element. 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a third embodiment  10 ″ of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention. Whereas the first two embodiments were tabletop models, chassis  10 ″ is a floor model. Accordingly, it is approximately 2 feet wide and 40 inches long. The chassis is also approximately 7 inches high at the front and in 16 inches high at the rear. Chassis  10 ″ has a primary panel  120 , defining a plane surface, which is preferably about 2 feet wide and the 3 feet long. At the rear of chassis  10 ″, an upwardly projecting chute  122  defines a goal assembly, and a cutout  124  which is approximately 8 inches high and 5½ inches wide defines the actual goal opening between the uprights. Preferably, chassis  10 ″ is made of wood, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that it could be made of many other materials, including plastic. Also, chassis  10 ″ preferably has a plane surface  14 ′ which is identical to surface  14 , except that it is proportionately larger. 
         [0047]    Owing to the larger size of game chassis  10 ″, the game pieces are preferably bean bags. Moreover, utilizing a chute for the goal assembly guarantees that a game piece passing between the uprights will be trapped in the chute and fall downwardly, instead of instead of flying beyond the chassis  10 ″. Also owing to the larger size of the chassis, the toss line is preferably at a distance of 15 feet from the chassis. Similarly, an extra point and field goal kick are preferably taken from a line which is 12 feet away from the chassis. Also, for each 10 yards closer (than the yard line) that a field goal attempt is made, a player may toss from a position which is one foot closer to the chassis. Otherwise, the method of play would be identical. 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment  10 ′″ of a game chassis in accordance with the present invention. This chassis is a floor model and, therefore, approximately the same size as chassis  10 ″. However, its construction is somewhat similar to the chassis  10 ′. Specifically, it is formed of a primary panel  110 ′ and four simple legs  120 , the rear legs being longer than the front legs to impart a forward tilt to panel  110 ′. The construction of panel  110 ′ is preferably wood, essentially the same as that of panel  110 . The game would be played the same way and would use bean bags for game pieces, as well as a scoreboard of the type already shown. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials could be used for the construction, such as reinforced plastic panels and molded legs. 
         [0049]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additions, modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Technology Category: 1