US20020109291A1

US20020109291A1 - Target ball board game

Info

Publication number: US20020109291A1
Application number: US09/781,608
Authority: US
Inventors: Fremont Lawrence
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-02-13
Filing date: 2001-02-13
Publication date: 2002-08-15

Abstract

A board game device is defined by a rectangular or circular raised edge placed on a flat surface. Within the borders of the raised edge, a plurality of game pieces, such as mounds, rings or goals are deployed in a random or symmetrical pattern as desired by the participants. Participants propel target balls at the game pieces using paddles or air devices to urge the target balls in the desired directions. Optionally an octagon may be superimposed on the flat surface with a plurality of brightly colored segments to visually separate the playing area into distinct smaller areas.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to board games, and more particularly to board games having targets, goals, balls and accessories that can be used for various games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A number of board games are well known for simulating contests such as billiards, baseball, disc hockey, and the like. The instant invention provides a new game, in which the rules of the game are not predefined. The players can enjoy creating their own set of rules or games, and are able to redefine games using different configurations of the game pieces.

A panoply of multi-colored balls and table tennis balls, wooden paddles and finger paddles, hand pumps and blow pipes are provided, along with center rings and “volcano” chaped pieces to create various target shooting games. Game pieces may be arranged on a colorfully designed planar rectangular board. Alternatively, game pieces may be used on another flat surface, such as a floor or grassy surface. The permutations of game choices is intended to maximize the entertainment options for consumers, by providing more flexibility than traditionally preconceived board games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills a need in the art by providing a target ball board game of skill, including a perimeter ring defining a two-dimensional area. At least one ball is used by a player or players, with at least one receptacle defining a passage way into which said at least one ball may be propelled. A means of propulsion, such as a paddle or a finger paddle is provided for moving said the ball or balls about the two-dimensional area and directing said the ball or balls into a desired positions within said two-dimensional area. The perimeter ring has a generally rectangular shape and is positioned upon a board. The flat board has depicted thereon an octagon, divided in eight equal triangular sectors and having a center point common to all eight of said equal size triangular areas. The balls may be table tennis balls or hollow plastic balls. One of the receptacles for defining a passageway may comprise a partial semi-circular hump having a hemispheric depression, cooperative to retain a ball propelled into position above said concave depression, with an appropriate amount of force so that a ball will come to rest within the concave depression. The disclosed invention also has a goal portion formed by a bracket having a rectangular shape open at one end defining a pair of legs connected by a transverse top portion and also having a flat projection extending outwardly from the distal end of each said leg to support said goal in a free standing manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a game comprising a variety of different game pieces in order to encourage creativity and imagination by allowing players to develop new games as often as they like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a colorful game board with targets to test the relative skill of players while providing enjoyable entertainment.

Another object of the present invention to provide a versatile game board format to invite children and adults to create various scoring methods.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a versatile and portable game apparatus with a plurality of interchangeable and variable game pieces.

Still another object is to provide a detachable ring to define a playing area apart from the board game, such as no a floor.

Another object of the invention is to provide another means for development of hand eye coordination and improvement thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the game pieces arranged about a perimeter ring defining the playing field; [0011]
FIG. 2 is an alternate configuration with the game pieces arranged on a rectangular playing board; [0012]
FIG. 3 is yet another plan view of the board game illustrating an arrangement using goals at various locations on the board's surface; [0013]
FIG. 4 illustrates a method of propulsion of a target ball in which a player blows into a pipe directing a stream of air at a target ball; [0014]
FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate means of propulsion of a target ball with air compressed by a hand pump directed at a ball; and [0015]
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the board game set up on a table top.[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a [0017] perimeter ring 11 defining a circular playing field 13 within the interior of the circle 11, is shown. Mounds 16 having dimples 18 are placed about the field 13, either randomly or in a symmetrical pattern as desired by the participants. A center ring 22 is placed approximately at the center of the circle. Center ring 22 also has a dimple 24 or depression, center ring 22 is distinguishable from individual mounds 16, in that center ring 22 is visibly larger than mounds 16. The purpose of the larger center ring 22 is to distinguish it and set it apart from mounds 16 in order to define a main objective or goal for the players. A plurality of table tennis balls 14 are shown in FIG. 1, scattered in various points within and without the playing field. As illustrated in FIG. 1, those balls within the defined playing field are indicative of balls which have been expended or used by the players in attempts to position the balls into a mound 16 or center ring dimple 18, or 24. Those target balls 14 positioned outside the perimeter of the raised ring 11, are indicative of balls yet to be used by the participants. In other words according to rules as agreed between the players, it is anticipated that each player will receive a number of balls with which to attempt to score points.
A plurality of [0018] finger paddles 26 are also shown in FIG. 1. These finger paddles 26 represent one of the means by which players may strike the balls in order to propel them towards the intended targets. The intended targets refer to mounds 16 and center ring 22. Dimples 18 in mound 16 and the dimple 24 in center ring 22 are formed in a concave depression at the top of the semi-spherical mound. The concavity of dimples 18 is intended to cooperate with the spherical shape of balls 14 such that the balls will be retained in position when a player properly rolls or otherwise propels the ball into the dimple 18. Dimple 24 may be optionally sized somewhat larger than a target ball in order to make the seating of the ball in the center ring 22 easier to accomplish than say the placement of a ball into the dimple 18 of a mound 16. Alternately, the dimple or depression 24 in center ring 22 may be large enough even to accommodate several of the target balls if desired.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a two-dimensional board panel generally designated as No. [0019] 10 is defined by a rectangular raised edge 12. The rectangular area of board panel 10 is further circumscribed by superimposing an octagon 36. Spoke segments 34 define eight separate symmetrical triangular areas. Spokes 34 extend from center point 35 to the intersection of the eight equal octagon perimeter segments 36, thereby describing a symmetrical pattern of triangles about the vertical and horizontal axis. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the intersection of each octagon segment 36 is used to define the points for placement of mounds 16. In the center of the octagon a center ring 22 having center hole 24 is shown. The portion 37 of the board surface outside of octagon 32 is indicated as a border area. As the invention is directed towards leisure and sports activity, to be played by youths or adults, the board is optionally decorated using bright contrasting colors to further set off adjacent segments of the pattern. The bright colors ideally will be attractive to young children, adolescents and adults alike and entice them to want to play the game.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate arrangement of [0020] board 10 is illustrated. Goal brackets 30 are disposed at adjacent four corners of the rectangular playing area, defined by perimeter raised edge 12. Spokes 34 and perimeter segments 36 define 8 symmetrical triangular portions of an octagon, having center point 35. Border areas 37 define the individual player's corners and goal areas and area for storage of balls which have been accumulated for points, or held in reserve for use in competition. Goals 30 are shown in FIG. 3 in plan view. These goals 30 are also illustrated isometrically in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, goals 30 illustrate the horseshoe shape arrangement of the goal 30 having outwardly extending projections at the distal end of the horseshoe shape, for stabilizing the goal 30 and permitting it to set in a free standing position.
Referring next to FIG. 4 a side view of a player is shown. The player has a [0021] tube 38 inserted at one end into the player's mouth. Player blows into one end of tube 38 to force air out from the opposite end and direct it towards a target ball 20, in order to propel it towards and through the horseshoe shaped goal 30. The object of this is obviously to test the relative skills of players for accuracy and skill in the ability to “score” goals by repeated successful penetrations of target balls 20 through the goal 30.
Similarly, in FIG. 5, a hand pump generally designated as [0022] 41, includes handle 42, rod portion 44 and blower tip 46. Rod 44 and grip 42 are used to apply forward pressure to a disk (not shown) integral blower tip 46, thus compressing the air within tip 46 and directing it out of nozzle 47. The force of the compressed air stream designated as 49 when applied against target ball 20 in turn causes target ball 20 to roll towards and desirably into the opening defined by goal 30.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a table [0023] 40 is provided on which to deploy the game components including board 10, having perimeter raised edge 12, octagon FIG. 32 and goals 30. This particular configuration of the board game also illustrates a center circle drawn coaxially with the octagon figure, presumably describing another target area to which competitors may assign value. Wooden paddles 48 are shown in various positions on the board. Wooden paddles 48 are intended as another method by which players may strike the target balls 20 in the desired direction towards the goal or mounds or center ring as the players have chosen to employ. It is noteworthy that the board game while including colorful designs and geometrically defined areas to which players may assign points, there are no prescribed set of rules by which the invention is to be used. In other words, players are free to determine among themselves in which configuration they will deploy the game pieces, in what combination they may desire to use the game pieces, and what point value or other scoring method the players might use in order to determine a victor. It is also evident that the plurality of pieces may be used interchangeably and any set of permutations, including variable number of players, variable number of goals, variable number of target balls, thus leaving it to the player's imagination to find an interesting and competitive combination of rules.
According to the provisions of patent statutes, I have explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However, it should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described. [0024]

Claims

I claim:

1. A target ball board game comprising:

A perimeter ring defining a two-dimensional area;

At least one ball;

At least one receptacle defining a passage way into which said at least one ball may be propelled;

Means of propulsion for moving said at least one ball about the said two-dimensional area and directing said at least one ball into a desired position within said two-dimensional area.

2. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also comprising; said perimeter ring having a generally rectangular shape, positioned upon a board, said board having depicted thereon an octagon, divided in eight equal triangular sectors and having a center point common to all eight of said equal size triangular areas.

3. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also comprising: The said perimeter ring is a circular ring, which, when laid upon a flat surface defines a playing field within said ring.

4. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one ball is a table tennis ball.

5. The target ball board game set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one ball is a hollow plastic ball.

6. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receptacle for defining a passageway comprises a partial semi-circular hump having a concave depression, cooperative with said at least one ball such that when said at least one ball is moved into position above said concave depression, with an appropriate amount of force, the ball will come to rest within said concave depression.

7. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 also having a goal portion formed by a bracket having a rectangular shape open at one end defining a pair of legs connected by a transverse top portion and also having a flat projection extending outwardly from the distal end of each said leg to support said goal in a free standing manner.

8. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means of propulsion is a finger paddle.

9. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means of propulsion is a blower.

10. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means of propulsion is a hand pump.

11. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means of propulsion is a wooden paddle.

12. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also applying a predetermined set of rules assigning discrete scores to one of said ball or said receptacle in order to determine a game victor.

13. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also applying a predetermined set of rules assigning discrete scores to one of said ball or said goal in order to determine a game victor.

14. The target ball board game as set forth in claim 1, wherein also applying a predetermined set of rules assigning discrete scores to one of said ball or said hump in order to determine a game victor.