Indoor/outdoor game

• US 6,889,982 B1
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BOLO USA
• Original Assignee: BOLO USA
• Inventors: Gove, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US10/190,120
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 273398-402, 273/407, 273/172, 273195-197, 273454-456, 273/446, 273476-478, 273/459, 273/343, 273404-406, 244/161, 473/575
• US Class Current: 273/343
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/005 Keeping track of the point of impact or entry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A gaming apparatus is provided, including at least one freestanding, upright first target having three target zones spaced apart from each other, each having a different sized forward facing opening and at least one projectile. The first target member includes first and second vertical support members and at least three pairs of crossbeams extending therebetween. The apparatus includes a second target substantially identical to the first target and spaced from the first target on a playing surface. In one embodiment, a method of playing an aerial projectile game includes separating a first target and a second target, directing a projectile toward one of the targets from a station proximate the other target, and awarding points for each projectile that lodges in a scoring zone of the target. A method of assembly includes coupling a plurality of tubular segments into a ladder-shaped configuration, and coupling the ladder configuration to a base member in an upright configuration with respect to a playing surface.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

an upright first target member disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of a playing surface and having a set of target zones comprising a first target zone, a second target zone below and proximate the first target zone, and a third target zone below and proximate the second target zone;

said first target member including first and second substantially vertical support members, and a plurality of parallel and spaced apart crossbeam members coupled to said vertical support members;

at least one projectile adapted to be directed toward the first target member;

wherein the crossbeam members include a topmost first crossbeam member defining a top region of the first target zone, a second crossbeam member disposed below the first crossbeam member and defining a top region of the second target zone, and a third crossbeam member disposed below the second crossbeam member and defining a top region of the third target zone; and

first, second, and third sheets of material, said sheets of material including respective first, second and third top portions supported proximate the first, second and third crossbeam members, respectively;

wherein the first and second crossbeam members are spaced apart by a first vertical distance, and the second and third crossbeam members are spaced apart by a second vertical distance different from the first vertical distance.

2. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an upright second target member substantially identical to the first target member, the second target member disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the playing surface and spaced from the first target member a distance of about ten paces of a player.

3. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

each of said sheets is adapted to provide a pocket for capturing the at least one projectile.

4. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said sheet of material is constructed and arranged to be permanently secured around one of the crossbeam members.

5. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each sheet of material has a numeral printed thereon.

6. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each sheet of material is a different color.

7. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

at least two of the crossbeam members are part of a unitary structure including two upright end portions and the two crossbeam members.

8. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least two of the crossbeam members are part of a structure adapted to be disassembled, including two crossbeam members and two coupling members releasably coupled to the crossbeam members to maintain the crossbeams in a parallel relationship.

9. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reflective material disposed on a portion of the target member.

10. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a source of illumination disposed within a portion of the target member.

11. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first target member further comprises a base member coupled to each vertical support member.

12. The gaming apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the base member comprises an elongate extension member.

13. The gaming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the base member has a hollow portion for receiving ballast material.

14. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the vertical support members has an end tapered to facilitate insertion in the ground.

15. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vertical support members and crossbeam members are fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of PVC tubing, aluminum tubing, steel tubing, metal tubing, composite tubing, ceramic tubing, resin-based tubing, plastic tubing or bamboo material.

16. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the vertical support members comprises:

a plurality of segments; and

a plurality of coupling members coupling the plurality of segments together.

17. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

an upright first target member disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of a playing surface and having a set of target zones comprising a first target zone, a second target zone below and proximate the first target zone, and a third target zone below and proximate the second target zone;

said first target member including first and second substantially vertical support members, and a plurality of parallel and spaced apart crossbeam members coupled to said vertical support members; and

at least one projectile adapted to be directed toward the first target member;

wherein the crossbeam members include a topmost first crossbeam member defining a top region of the first target zone, a second crossbeam member disposed below the first crossbeam member and defining a top region of the second target zone, and a third crossbeam member disposed below the second crossbeam member and defining a top region of the third target zone;

wherein the first and second crossbeam members are spaced apart by a first vertical distance, and the second and third crossbeam members are spaced apart by a second vertical distance different from the first vertical distance; and

wherein at least two of the crossbeam members are part of a structure adapted to be disassembled, including two crossbeam members and two coupling members releasably coupled to the crossbeam members to maintain the crossbeam members in a parallel relationship.

18. The gaming apparatus of claim 17 further comprising:

first, second and third sheets of material, said sheets of material including respective first, second and third top portions supported proximate the first, second and third crossbeam members, respectively.

19. The gaming apparatus of claim 18 wherein:

each of said sheets is adapted to provide a pocket for capturing the at least one projectile.

20. The gaming apparatus according to claim 18 wherein:

each said sheet of material is constructed and arranged to be permanently secured around one of the crossbeam members.

21. The gaming apparatus of claim 18 wherein:

the second and third top portions of the sheets of material are coupled to the first and second sheets of material, respectively.

22. The gaming apparatus of claim 17 wherein:

said crossbeam members comprise a first pair of crossbeam members including the first crossbeam member, a second pair of crossbeam members including the second crossbeam member and disposed below the first pair, and a third pair of crossbeam members including the third crossbeam member and disposed below the second pair.

23. The gaming apparatus of claim 17 wherein:

the at least one projectile comprises a first body, a second body, and a pliable coupling structure connected to the first and second bodies, the coupling structure comprising an elongate portion extending between the bodies and having a length selected to facilitate a wrapping engagement of the projectile about one of the crossbeam members.

24. The gaming apparatus of claim 23 further including:

a third body, wherein the coupling structure comprises first, second and third cord sections coupled to one another at respective first ends thereof and having second ends coupled to the first, second and third bodies, respectively.

25. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

an upright first target member disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of a playing surface and having a set of target zones comprising a first target zone, a second target zone below and proximate the first target zone, and a third target zone below and proximate the second target zone;

said first target member including first and second substantially vertical support members, and a plurality of parallel and spaced apart crossbeam members coupled to said vertical support members; and

at least one projectile adapted to be directed toward the first target member;

wherein the crossbeam members include a topmost first crossbeam member defining a top region of the first target zone, a second crossbeam member disposed below the first crossbeam member and defining a top region of the second target zone, and a third crossbeam member disposed below the second crossbeam member and defining a top region of the third target zone;

wherein the first and second crossbeam members are spaced apart by a first vertical distance, and the second and third crossbeam members are spaced apart by a second vertical distance different from the first vertical distance; and

wherein said crossbeam members comprise a first pair of crossbeam members including the first crossbeam member, a second pair of crossbeam members including the second crossbeam member and disposed below the first pair, and a third pair of crossbeam members including the third crossbeam member and disposed below the second pair.

26. The gaming apparatus of claim 25 further including:

an upright second target member substantially identical to the first target member, the second target member disposed substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the playing surface and spaced apart from the first target member a distance of about ten paces of a player.

27. The gaming apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

at least two of the crossbeam members are part of a unitary structure including two upright end portions and the two crossbeam members.

28. The gaming apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

the first pair of crossbeam members are spaced apart by a third vertical distance, and the second pair of crossbeam members are spaced apart by a fourth vertical distance less than the third vertical distance.

29. The gaming apparatus of claim 25 further comprising three sheets of material, each sheet being coupled between an associated one of the pairs of crossbeam members.

30. The gaming apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

the at least one projectile comprises a first body, a second body, and a pliable coupling structure connected to the first and second bodies, the coupling structure comprising an elongate portion extending between the bodies and having a length selected to facilitate a wrapping engagement of the projectile about one of the crossbeam members.

31. The gaming apparatus of claim 30 wherein:

the bodies are spherical, and the coupling structure comprises a cord.

32. The gaming apparatus of claim 31 further including:

a third spherical body, wherein the coupling structure comprises first, second and third cord sections coupled to one another at respective first ends thereof and having second ends coupled to the first, second and third spherical bodies, respectively.

33. The gaming apparatus of claim 30 wherein:

the coupling structure is substantially inextensible.

34. The gaming apparatus of claim 30 wherein:

the length of the coupling structure is at least four times a diameter of the crossbeam members.