Target apparatus for bola toss game

• US 7,328,902 B1
• Filed: 11/18/2005
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David W. White (David White), Shelley M. White
• Original Assignee: David W. White (David White), Shelley M. White
• Inventors: White, David W., White, Shelley M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu; Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US11/282,919
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 273/343, 273/348, 273/317, 211/95, 211/105.1, 211/164, 211/182
• US Class Current: 273/343
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2067/063 tossing, e.g. rings or horseshoes around or on, e.g. posts, hooks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/007 Arrangements on balls for connecting lines or cords
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/06 Revolving targets ; Moving targets, e.g. moving or revolving on impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/06 Ring or disc tossing games , e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0079 Balls tethered to a line or cord A63B43/007 takes precedence; other games using tethered balls A63B67/10; games using a bat or racket with a ball tethered thereto A63B67/20

Abstract

A target apparatus for bola tossing games has both a forward and rearward frame presenting one or more rung-targets as well as a construction for the rung-targets by which such have free-spinning outer sleeves. Wherein the spacing between the forward and rearward changes the complexion of bola tossing games by adding a depth dimension among various ones of the rung-targets. And wherein the free-spinning aspect of the rung-targets increases the level of difficulty and skill in perching bolas, either wrapped or draped, at rest on rungs by not only increasing the propensity of landing bolas to, in quick succession, wind fully in and then on rebound unwind and thereafter self-launch off the subject rung but also by increasing the propensity that the foregoing dislodges any previously perched bola.

Claims

1. Target apparatus for a bola tossing game, comprising:

a pair of frames;

support structure to hold the frames upright and spaced one in front of the other along a line of sight from where users toss said bolas;

each frame comprising a pair of transversely-spaced upright stiles and at least one free-spinning rung-target extending between and carried at elevation by the respective pair of stiles of the respective frame with freedom to respond in particular to asymmetric landings of tossed bolas by accelerating to spinning rapidly along each'"'"'s respective spin axis;

wherein said line-of-sight spacing between the frames changes the complexion of bola tossing games by adding a depth dimension to the rung-targets as said free-spinning rung-targets concurrently increase the level of difficulty and skill in perching bolas either wrapped or draped at rest on rungs by increasing the propensity of landing bolas to, in quick succession, wind fully in and then on rebound unwind and thereafter self-launch off the subject rung.

2. The target apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said free-spinning rung-targets comprise outer sleeves and inner axles fixed to the stiles for the outer sleeves to be coupled free-spinning thereon.

3. The target apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said inner axles and outer sleeves comprise Plastic tubes or pipes.

4. The target apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said support structure comprises a generally horizontal framework for setting on a base support surface.

5. The target apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

said target apparatus is generally constructed of Plastic pipes or tubes which, except for the free-spinning outer sleeves, are rigidly interconnected by fittings comprising Tees and Ells.

6. The target apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

said free-spinning outer sleeves are closely bracketed between the spaced fittings that rigidly interconnect the respective axle disposed inside thereof to the respective pair of stiles therefor in order to restrict axial dislocation of said free-spinning outer sleeves.

7. The target apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the frames carries a plurality of free-spinning rung-targets at diverse elevations.

8. A method of playing a bola tossing game comprising the step of supplying a target apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

supplying opposing players with a plurality of bolas; and

accumulating score based on bolas perched on rung-targets and determining a winning score after regulation play.

9. A method of playing a bola tossing game comprising the steps of:

supplying a target apparatus, comprising;

a pair of stiles,

support structure to hold the stiles in spaced upright relation,

a plurality of free-spinning rung-targets extending between the stiles at diverse elevations, and carried by the stiles with freedom to respond in particular to asymmetric landings of tossed bolas by accelerating to spinning rapidly along each'"'"'s respective spin axis,

wherein said free-spinning rung-targets increase the level of difficulty and skill in perching bolas either wrapped or draped at rest on rungs by not only increasing the propensity of landing bolas to, in quick succession, wind fully in and then on rebound unwind and thereafter self-launch off the subject rung but also by increasing the propensity that the foregoing dislodges any previously perched bola;

supplying opposing players with a plurality of bolas; and

accumulating score based on bolas perched on rung-targets and determining a winning score after regulation play.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein:

said free-spinning rung-targets comprise outer sleeves and inner axles fixed to the stiles for the outer sleeves to be coupled free-spinning thereon.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein:

said inner axles and outer sleeves comprise Plastic tubes or pipes.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein:

said support structure comprises a generally horizontal framework for setting on a base support surface.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein:

said target apparatus is generally constructed of Plastic pipes or tubes which, except for the free-spinning outer sleeves, are rigidly interconnected by fittings comprising Tees and Ells.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein:

said free-spinning outer sleeves are closely bracketed between the spaced fittings that rigidly interconnect the respective axle disposed inside thereof to the respective pair of stiles therefor in order to restrict axial dislocation of said free-spinning outer sleeves.