US20170072281A1

US20170072281A1 - Device and Method for Rolling Disc Game

Info

Publication number: US20170072281A1
Application number: US15/266,289
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl Betts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-15
Filing date: 2016-09-15
Publication date: 2017-03-16

Abstract

A rolling disc game. The present game comprises a pair of stakes, configured to be secured into the ground or into a base element, and a disc having an edge with sufficient thickness to enable the disc to roll easily. The method of playing the rolling disc game involves a player standing at a starting position that is a predetermined distance away from the stakes and rolling the disc with the goal of having it roll in between the upstanding stakes. In some embodiments, multiple pairs of stakes are placed at various distances apart, with a point value assigned to each pair of stakes. Players take alternating turns. The player with the most points at the end of the game is deemed the winner.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/218,635 filed on Sep. 15, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games involving launching objects, in particular to games involving launching objects that are circular and intended to be rolled on the ground toward a target. Games have long been used to enjoyably pass time. Additionally, some games include a strategy component and require repetitive practice to refine gross and fine motor skills. Many games are only fashioned to be played by two players or two opposing teams, which can be frustrating for groups of players involving multiple players wishing to compete individually. Therefore, there exists a need in the prior art for a game for multiple individuals that tests the skill and patience of rolling a circular object over a relatively long distance while aiming toward a very specific target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of rolling games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a rolling game wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when engaging in a diversion activity. The present game comprises a pair of stakes configured to be secured into the ground or into a base element and a disc having an edge with sufficient thickness to enable the disc to roll easily. The method of playing the rolling disc game involves a player standing at a starting position that is a predetermined distance away from the stakes and rolling the disc on its edge with the goal of having it roll in between the stakes. In some embodiments, multiple pairs of stakes are placed at various distances apart, with a point value assigned to each pair of stakes. Players take alternating turns. The player with the most points at the end of the game is deemed the winner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows perspective views of a game stake and a game disc of one embodiment of the rolling disc game.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the setup for one embodiment of the rolling disc game.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the rolling disc game.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a user playing the rolling disc game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the rolling disc game. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the game stake and a game disc of one embodiment of the rolling disc game. The rolling disc game comprises a disc 20 and a plurality of stakes 10. In one embodiment of the rolling disc game, two discs 20 and six stakes 10 are provided. Each stake 10 comprises an elongated cylindrical element 14 having a first end 16 and a second end 12. In one embodiment of the stake 10, the first end 16 is substantially flat and the second end 12 is a pointed tip. In some embodiments, the pointed tip is conical in shape and tapers from the diameter of the cylindrical element 14 to a single point.
The disc 20 comprises disc shaped element having a first flat side 22, a second flat side and an outer edge 24 along its circumference. The outer edge 24 has a thickness sufficient to allow the disc 20 to roll on its edge without falling over. For example, the thickness of the outer edge 24 may be one third of the radius of the disc 20. In some embodiments of the rolling disc game, the stakes 10 come in pairs, wherein each pair comprises a unique color. Further embodiments include multiple discs 20 that likewise are provided in various unique colors.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the rolling disc game. In some embodiments of the rolling disc game, there is a base member comprising a substantially flat panel 30 configured to receive the stakes 10. An inclined border 32 is further disposed along the outer perimeter of the flat panel 30. The inclined border 32 is a beveled edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the flat panel 30, which allows the disc to roll from a surrounding surface up onto the flat panel 30 without interruption.
The panel 30 further includes multiple apertures 34 along its upper surface. The diameter of each aperture 34 is in close tolerance to the diameter of a stake 10. Further, the thickness of the flat panel 30 is greater than the height of the conical shape of the second end of the stake 10. Thus, when the second end of a stake 10 is placed within an aperture 34, the stake 10 is supported by the flat panel 30 and stands perpendicular thereto. The base member allows for the rolling disc game to be played on a hard surface, such as concrete or indoor flooring, where it is either unfeasible or undesirable to have the stake penetrate the hard surface. Instead, the player can use the base member in setting up the stakes for gameplay, thus allowing a player to play the rolling disc game in multiple types of settings.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of a user playing the rolling disc game. Individuals begin playing the game by placing the stakes 10 in the ground or base member in pairs. The pairs of stakes 10 are arranged such that the distance between the stakes 10 in each successive pair is smaller. In an embodiment of the game including six stakes arranged in three pairs, the stakes 10 in the first pair are situated at a first distance apart from each other, the stakes 10 in the second pair are situated at a second distance apart from each other, and the stakes in the third pair are situated at a third distance apart from each other. The third distance is larger than the second distance, which in turn is larger than the first distance. In the depicted arrangement of the game, the stakes 10 are set up in a V-shaped formation, such that the first pair of stakes 10 is farther from a starting point than the second pair of stakes, which is farther from the starting point than the third pair of stakes.
A first player stands at a predetermined starting point with a disc 20. In one embodiment of the rolling disc game, the starting point is between 30 and 50 feet from the first pair of stakes 10. The first player takes a rolling disc 20 and rolls it on its edge with the goal of having the disc 20 roll through a pair of stakes 10 on its outer edge before the disc 20 falls over. The number of points awarded depends on which pair if stakes 10, if any, the disc 20 has successfully rolled through. Once the disc 20 has fallen over and is no longer moving, the turn is over. A second player repeats the process. When playing with multiple discs 20, each player is assigned a disc 20 of a specific color. There is a predetermined amount of turns each player makes before the game is over. The winner is the player with the most amount of points at the end of the game. For example, the points awarded may be 30 points for the first pair of stakes, 10 points for the second pair of stakes, and 5 points for the third pair of stakes. A player who successfully rolls their disc once through the first pair and once through the third pair, but never only through the second pair, over an entire game will be awarded 35 points.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A game assembly, comprising:

multiple pairs of stakes, wherein each stake comprises an elongated cylindrical element having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a pointed tip, and wherein each pair of stakes is provided in a unique color; and

a disc comprising a first flat side, a second flat side and an outer edge along a circumference of the disc.

2) The rolling disc game of claim 1, further comprising a base member having a flat panel with a plurality of apertures disposed thereon, wherein a diameter of each of the plurality of aperture fits a diameter of each stake to a close tolerance.

3) The rolling disc game of claim 2, wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed on the flat panel in a V-like shape.

4) The rolling disc game of claim 2, further comprising a beveled border extending from an upper and a lower surface of the flat panel.

5) A method of playing a game, comprising:

placing a first pair of stakes in a surface, the first pair of stakes separated by a first distance;

placing a second pair of stakes in the surface, the second pair of stakes separated by a second distance;

wherein the second distance is larger than the first distance;

placing a third pair or stakes in a surface, the third paid or stakes separated by a third distance;

wherein the third distance is larger than the second distance;

standing at a distance from the pair of stakes;

rolling a disc along the surface toward the pair of stakes;

assigning points if the disc successfully rolls on its edge between the pair of stakes before falling over.

6) The method of playing a rolling disc game of claim 4, wherein higher point values are assigned to pairs of stakes that are placed closer together.