US20210354015A1

US20210354015A1 - Portable game assembly

Info

Publication number: US20210354015A1
Application number: US17/317,183
Authority: US
Inventors: Shane T. McMurtry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-13
Filing date: 2021-05-11
Publication date: 2021-11-18

Abstract

A portable game assembly is disclosed. The portable game assembly includes a first platform and a second platform. A toss hole is defined in the first platform. Legs support the portable game assembly in between the first platform and the second platform. The portable game assembly is configurable in an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/024,004, entitled PORTABLE GAME ASSEMBLY, filed May 13, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a portable game assembly and methods for playing the game.

BACKGROUND

Recreational game sets involving beanbags are well known and used in a variety of settings. For example, Cornhole is a popular game that comprises two slanted opposing boards with a hole defined therein in each board. Players throw bags filled with corn at an opposing board with the goal of achieving points for bags that land in the hole, as well as bags that land on different positions on top of the slanted board. However, often times, the Cornhole boards are heavy and difficult to transport. Moreover, the boards do not include a mechanism for disassembling the boards to allow for easy storage or transport.

SUMMARY

In one general aspect of the present invention, a new portable game assembly is disclosed. The portable game assembly is easy to assemble, portable, and cost-efficient. Players can use the game outdoors in some instances. In other instances, the game can be used indoors. For example, the portable game assembly of the present invention allows for easy use while camping, tailgating, visiting the beach, spending time in a backyard, or any other location wherein such a portable device would be useful, for example. The portable game assembly disclosed herein also provides a cost-efficient option compared to that of traditional Cornhole games. The portable game assembly disclosed herein also involves a unique and novel style of play that sets the game apart and distinguishes the game from traditional Cornhole games.

FIGURES

Features of various aspects are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The described aspects, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable game assembly in an assembled configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front side view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a backside view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front side view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 8, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a right side view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 8, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a backside view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 8, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 8, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 8, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the portable game assembly of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining various aspects of the portable game assembly in detail, it should be noted that the illustrative examples are not limited in application or use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The illustrative examples may be implemented or incorporated in other aspects, variations, and modifications, and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Further, unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the illustrative examples for the convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limitation thereof. Also, it will be appreciated that one or more of the following-described aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples, can be combined with any one or more of the other following-described aspects, expressions of aspects, and/or examples.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of playing a unique and new recreational bag toss game, referred to herein as the “CrossToss” game, is disclosed. The CrossToss game involves a portable game assembly comprising a top platform, a bottom platform, an opening, referred to herein as a toss hole, a net, and two teams, which will all be discussed in greater detail below. In some instances, the CrossToss game does not include a net. The teams comprise two players each. At the start of each game, each team of two players gets four bags, two for each player. The bags can be filled with corn, beans, or any other suitable filling.
At the outset of a round of play, players stand on all four sides of the board. The players stand twelve feet from their respective sides of the game board assembly. However, in some instances, younger players, such as those under age 12, can throw from eight to ten feet from the game board assembly. Embodiments are envisioned where a twelve-foot long measuring string is included with the game board assembly to ensure the proper location of the players at the beginning of each round of the game. Each player on a team of two will stand directly across from one another on opposing sides of the game board assembly. As the game commences, each player throws one bag. After the first player throws one bag, the next player throws his or her bag. The order of play is in a clockwise rotation around the game board assembly, until each player has thrown his or her individual two bags. The youngest player will throw first during a given round of the game. As the players throw, the players should not step past the twelve-foot mark. However, a player's hand can move across the twelve-foot mark during a throwing motion. Players are also permitted to throw underhand or overhand. The teams scores are calculated after each round, as will be discussed below.
The scoring for the CrossToss game can be as follows. Players will earn three points if the bag goes through the toss hole, and through the net. Players will earn two points if the bag lands in the net, but remains in net. Players will earn one point if the bag lands on the top platform and remains on the top platform. Previously disclosed Cornhole games have a total score of twenty-one for which players attempt to earn and use a cancellation method. Embodiments are envisioned wherein players might desire to use the traditional twenty-one point scoring system. However, CrossToss includes a unique scoring system that builds upon the traditional twenty-one point scoring goal. The preferred winning score for the CrossToss game can still be twenty-one, but the team that reaches or exceeds twenty-one wins only after throwing a bag into the toss hole. That is, players do not stop throwing upon reaching or exceeding twenty-one points and making the toss hole. If both teams exceed twenty-one and make the toss hole in the final round, the teams keep throwing and the team with the most points at the end of that round wins. If both teams tie, the game goes to a one round, sudden death playoff wherein the team with the most points wins. As briefly discussed above, the points are calculated using the cancellation scoring method. An exemplary scenario is described in detail below.
Lisa, Scott, Shane, and Sarah are playing a game of CrossToss. Lisa and Scott are on one team, and Shane and Sarah are on another team. In the first round, Lisa and Scott get one bag through in the toss hole, one in the net, and two bags on the board, all of which total seven points. Shane and Sarah get one bag in the toss hole and one bag in the net, all of which total five points. Shane and Sarah miss the other two throws. Instead of the score being seven points for Lisa and Scott's team and five points for Shane and Sarah's team, Lisa and Scott must subtract the opposing team's five points from their score, giving them a total of two points. As the end of the round, Lisa and Scott's score is two and Shane and Sarah's score is zero. While this method of play has been described, other methods are envisioned with slight variations, or bonus rounds which build upon the example method of play above.
As the method of play has been explained in detail, the structure and specifics of the CrossToss game assembly briefly mentioned above will be discussed in greater detail below.
A recreational and portable game assembly 100 according to various embodiments is depicted in FIG. 1. The game assembly 100 comprises a top platform 102 and a bottom platform 104. The top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 can comprise a square or rectangular shape in some instances. However, the shape of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 are not limited to those embodiments described herein. In some instances, the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 can be comprised of wood. In other instances, the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 can be comprised of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or any one of ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, and/or copolyester ether for example, although the composition of the top shelf 102 and the bottom shelf 104 are not limited to these materials.
Referring to FIG. 1, the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 are configured for assembly to one another at each of the respective four corners by four legs. Still referring to FIG. 1, the game assembly 100 comprises a first leg 106, a second leg 108, a third leg 110, and a fourth leg 112. The legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 can be positioned in notches within each of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104, but do not extend through the notches. The bottom platform 104 is positioned on the ground or a flat surface in some instances. In other instances, the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 extend through openings in the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 towards an exterior of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104.
Referring primarily to FIGS. 1-5, the game assembly 100 comprises an opening, or toss hole, 114 defined in the top platform 102. The toss hole 114 can comprise a circular shape in some instances. In other instances, the toss hole 114 can comprise a rectangular or square shape. Other embodiments are envisioned where the toss hole 114 can comprise any suitable shape for receiving a bag when tossed by a player. The toss hole 114 comprises a cloth net 116 attached around the perimeter of the toss hole 114 for receiving a bag when tossed by a player. However, embodiments are envisioned where a cloth net 116 is not necessary for play. For example, embodiments are envisioned wherein a plastic tube is used in place of the cloth net 116. Other embodiments are contemplated wherein the cloth net 116 is removed from the toss hole 114.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the game assembly 100 comprises a handle 118 as will be discussed in greater detail below. The handle 118 can be attached to the top platform 102 by screws, or any other suitable means for attaching the handle 118 to the top platform 102. The handle 118 enables a user to carry the game assembly 100 when the game assembly 100 is in a disassembled configuration, as will be discussed below. Referring again primarily to FIG. 1, in some instances, the top platform 102 is attached is the bottom platform 104 by at least one latch or lock 140 on opposite sides of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 in the disassembled configuration as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 14. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the latch or lock 140 secures the top platform 102 to the bottom platform 104. The handle 118 is not shown in FIG. 14 in order to depict the components of the latch or lock 140 clearly. Embodiments are envisioned wherein the latch or lock 140 is used in combination with the handle 118 so that a user may easily carry the game assembly while not in use.
In other instances, the top platform 102 comprises at least four strips of Velcro® comprising a first portion 120 a and a second portion 120 b for attaching the top platform 102 to the bottom platform 104. For example, as seen in FIG. 1, the first portions 120 a of the Velcro® can be positioned along the sides 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, and 102 d, of the top platform 102. The second portions 120 b of the Velcro® can be positioned along the sides 104 a, 104 b, 104 c, and 104 d of the bottom platform 104. Embodiments are envisioned where the strips of Velcro® can be positioned in any suitable location to ensure the secure attachment of the top platform 102 to the bottom platform 104 in the disassembled configuration. In some instances, some embodiments may include more or less strips of Velcro® than those discussed above. In other instances, other removably couplable adhesives may be used. In other instances, other locking and/or securing mechanisms in addition to, or in conjunction with the latches 140 or Velcro® can be used to secure the top platform 102 to the bottom platform 104.
Referring generally to FIGS. 7-13, the game assembly 100 comprises features which allows the game assembly 100 to be portable, easy to assemble, and easy to tear down. Such features enable a user to easily transport the game assembly 100. FIGS. 7-13 illustrate the game assembly 100 in a disassembled configuration.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to place the game assembly 100 in the disassembled configuration, a user removes the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 and then places the legs in between the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104. When the game assembly 100 is in the disassembled configuration, the interior of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 define a storage space. When the game assembly 100 is in the disassembled configuration, the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 fit securely within the storage space between the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104. The net 116 also fits securely within the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 in the disassembled configuration. In some instances, the net 116 is removable prior to disassembling the game assembly 100. As briefly discussed above, the Velcro® strips 120 a and 120 b secure the top platform 102 to the bottom platform 104 in the disassembled configuration.
Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, the storage space in between the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 comprises a volume. The top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104 comprise a first height and a width. In order for the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 to fit properly within the storage space in between the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104, the diameter or width of the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 must not exceed the diameter or width of the storage space in between the top platform and the bottom platform, e.g., the diameter/width of the legs 106, 108, 110 and 112 may be half of the first height. In addition, the length of each of the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 must be less than the length of the diagonal defined by the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104. For example, when the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 are stored diagonally within the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104, the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 do not contact or abut the inside corners of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104. Other embodiments are envisioned where the legs 106, 108, 110, and 112 can be stored parallel with two sides of the top platform 102 and the bottom platform 104. Embodiments are envisioned wherein the storage space in between the top platform 102 and the bottom platform is large enough to store the bean bags used in the game, as well as other game pieces such as game instructions, and the measuring string discussed above, for example.
In another general aspect, the present invention is directed to an ornamental design for a portable toss game assembly. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the design. FIG. 2 illustrates a front side view of the design. FIG. 3 illustrates a right side view of the design. FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the design. FIG. 5 illustrates a backside view of the design. FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the design. FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the design.
FIGS. 8-13 show the design for the portable toss game assembly in a disassembled or folded form. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the design in a folded configuration. FIG. 9 illustrates a front side view of the design. FIG. 10 illustrates a right side view of the design. The left side view could be identical to the right side. FIG. 11 illustrates a backside view of the design. FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the design. FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of the design.
While several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described forms can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.
One or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplification,” “one exemplification,” and the like means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in an exemplification,” and “in one exemplification” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.
Any patent application, patent, non-patent publication, or other disclosure material referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein, to the extent that the incorporated materials is not inconsistent herewith. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of the one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles and practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various forms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith define the overall scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A portable game assembly, comprising:

a first platform;

a second platform, wherein the portable game assembly comprises an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, and wherein said second platform is attachable to said first platform in said disassembled configuration;

legs configured to support said portable game assembly in between said first and said second platform, wherein said legs are stored within said first platform and said second platform in said disassembled configuration; and

an opening defined in said first platform, wherein said opening comprises a net attached along a perimeter of said opening, and wherein said net is configured to receive a bag during a throwing motion of a user while said portable game assembly is in said assembled configuration.

2. The portable game assembly of claim 1, wherein said first platform and said second platform comprise a wood material.

3. The portable game assembly of claim 1, wherein said first platform and said second platform comprise a PVC material.

4. The portable game assembly of claim 1, wherein said first platform and said second platform comprise Velcro® for attaching said first platform to said second platform in said disassembled configuration.

5. The portable game assembly of claim 1, wherein said first platform is attached to said second platform by at least one latch in said disassembled configuration.

6. The portable game assembly of claim 1, wherein one of said first platform and said second platform comprises a handle for carrying said portable game assembly in said disassembled configuration.

7. A portable game system, comprising:

a first platform;

a second platform, wherein the portable game system comprises a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein said second platform is attachable to said first platform in said second configuration for ease of transportation;

legs configured to support said portable game assembly in between said first and said second platform, wherein said legs are stored within said first platform and said second platform in said second configuration; and

an opening defined in said first platform, wherein said opening comprises a net attached along a perimeter of said opening, and wherein said net is configured to receive a bag during a throwing motion of a user while said portable game system is in said first configuration.

8. The portable game system of claim 7, wherein said first platform and said second platform comprise a wood material.

9. The portable game system of claim 7, wherein said first platform and said second platform comprise a PVC material.

10. The portable game system of claim 7, wherein said first platform and said second platform comprise Velcro® for attaching said first platform to said second platform in said second configuration.

11. The portable game system of claim 7, wherein said first platform is attached to said second platform by at least one latch in said second configuration.

12. The portable game system of claim 7, wherein one of said first platform and said second platform comprises a handle for carrying said portable game assembly in said second configuration.

13. A game assembly, comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion, wherein the game assembly comprises an assembled configuration and a disassembled configuration, and wherein said second platform is attachable to said first platform in said disassembled configuration for ease of transportation;

legs configured to support said game assembly in between said first and said second portions, wherein said legs are stored within said first portion and said second portion in said disassembled configuration; and

an opening defined in said first portion, wherein said opening comprises a net attached along a perimeter of said opening, and wherein said net is configured to receive a bag during a throwing motion of a user while said game assembly is in said assembled configuration.

14. The game assembly of claim 13, wherein said first portion and said second portion comprise a wood material.

15. The game assembly of claim 13, wherein said first portion and second second portion comprise a PVC material.

16. The game assembly of claim 13, wherein said first portion and said second portion comprise Velcro® for attaching said first portion to said second portion in said disassembled configuration.

17. The game assembly of claim 13, wherein said first portion is attached to said second portion by at least one latch in said disassembled configuration.

18. The portable game system of claim 13, wherein one of said first platform and said second platform comprises a handle for carrying said portable game assembly in said second configuration.