US3529827A - Ring toss game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 22, 1970 E. BERGER 3,529,827

RING TOSS GAME APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 1, 1968 nwI INVENTOR. MILDRED E. BERGER AfioRNEY Sept. 22, 1970 M. E, BE GER 3,529,827

RING Toss GAME APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet? FIG. 6

INVENTOR. MILDRED E.BERGER FIG. 5

ATTORNE United States Patent f 3,529,827 RING TOSS GAME APPARATUS Mildred E. Berger, 3731 73rd St., Jackson Heights, N.Y. 11372 Filed Apr. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 717,644 Int. Cl. A63b 67/06 US. Cl. 273100 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to an improvement in amusement devices or games, and more particularly to a fortune telling device.

Description of the prior art 'Heretofore, games have been proposed in which a support is provided having a rod extending therefrom and adapted to extend through a disk containing a plurality of apertures. The accuracy of the player throwing the disk being measured by his ability to have the central aperture pass over the rod, and his skill being diminished if the player has the rod extending through one of the peripheral apertures. A game of this general type is disclosed in US. Pat. 2,146,457 and a variation thereof in US. Pat. 1,546,109.

Although games of the above description do provide a certain degree of enjoyment to the user, they do not provide any true versatility or novelty, since basically the pattern of the game is continually the same without any variations thereof. In addition the prior art games lack mobility since they generally require a fixed hook or other fastener to be secured to the wall which requires making of a hole therein.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of any objections to prior art devices by the provision of a simplified game which is exciting to play, encourages the development of skill, and rewards the player with a fortune message.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game which may be played by and interesting to the old as well as the young contestants and spectators and for which a minimum of skill is required.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved game combining both amusement and skill in its operation and that may be readily secured in place and removed for use on a variety of surfaces, without marring the surface it is secured to.

Another object is the provision of an improved game which is sufficiently uncomplicated in its mode of operation for even children to enjoy.

Another object is the provision of an improved game which has the versatility of providing a challenge to those requiring the highest order of skill, as well as being attractive to those seeking the relaxation inherent in games relying on chance alone.

3,529,827 Patented Sept. 22, 1970 "ice Another object of the invention is to provide a game in which written information, which may take the form of fortunes, quotations, numerals and messages, may be contained on the thrown disk and continually varied.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game in which the written information in the form of messages on cards may be removably secured to the throwing portion thereof and is unknown to the player until he hooks a guide rod through an aperture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game in which a series of disposable messages covering a variety of categories, such as events, sports, sayings, movies, etc., which in turn may be used to play charades, twenty (20) questions and other games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects of the invention may be ob tained by providing support means in the form of a support member with a substantially planar surface having retaining means extending from the planar surface in the form of a rod with a tapered free end to facilitate its movement through the throwing means which is thrown through the air by the player. The throwing means contains a base portion having a plurality of apertures of varying configurations extending therethrough. This provides a degree of difficulty due to both the various crosssectional areas and various geometric forms involved. To add excitement to the amusement device indicia means are provided on the base portion of the throwing means adjacent each aperture to provide a selective change of information in accordance with the degree of difficulty of a respective aperture. Coupling means extending from the support means permits the retention of the amusement device in a relatively fixed position to receive the throwing means. The coupling means preferably includes at least two arms extending in a plane substantially normal to the support member with suction cups secured at its free ends. This permits the support means to be fixed in place to both wall and floor surfaces and considerably extends the mobility of the game since it may easily move without any permanent fasteners required. Identification means adjacent each aperture in the form of a numeral designation may also be provided. The number assigned is directly related to the difficulty of a particular aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:

FIG. 1, is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the amusement device of the present invention in as sembled relation;

FIG. 2, is a front plan view of the throwing portion of the amusement device taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, is a front view of the indicia portion shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3, showing the indicia portion of the invention;

FIG. 5, is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the amusement device mounted in a horizontal plane, as on a wall; and

FIG. 6, is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating a modified throwing portion, taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, we have in assembled relation the amusement device or game 10 of the present invention.

Support means The game 10 includes support means 12 in the form of a support member 13 with a substantially planar front or all support surface 14 and rear surface 15 with a peripheral edge 16. The support member 13 as seen in FIG. 2, has a circular configuration and is of sufiicient area to provide an ample support surface for the throwing means 35.

Retaining means The throwing means 35, containing a plurality of apertures 36, is retained in a fixed position with respect to the support means 12 by retaining means 20, which extends from the support surface 14 of the support member 13. The retaining means includes a rod 21 extending from the support surface 14 in fixed relation thereto as by a screw (not shown), for insertion within the apertures 36 of the throwing means 35. The rod preferably has a tapered free end 22 so as to be assured that if the rod 21 initially penetrates an aperture at even a corner thereof, it will with the force behind the throwing member continue to move over the rod 21 until the throwing means 35 comes into a resting position as seen in FIG. 1.

Coupling means In accordance with the usage of the amusement device 10 it is most important that it be of a portable nature, such that whether adults or children utilize it, it may be moved from room to room in the house and may be easily assembled and disassembled without in any way necessitating the driving of fasteners into the wall such that there is any marring of any surfaces with which it is used. Accordingly, coupling means 25 is provided that extends from the support member 13 for securing the support means 12 in a relatively fixed position for receiving the throwing means 35. The coupling means 25 may include at least two arms 26 extending in a plane substantially normal to the rear surface 15 and secured thereto in any conventional manner, as by providing blind bores 27 into which the arms 26 extend as by a press fit. This permits the game 10 to be easily assembled and disassembled by the user. At the respective free ends 28 of the arms 26 suction cups 29 are secured thereto and in this manner the support means 12 may be removably secured to a variety of surfaces for use of the amusement device.

As illustrated with respect to FIG. 1, the surface 30 to which the suction cups 29 are secured may be the floor or perhaps a table or any other surface desired. Although it is preferable that the suction cups prevent any movement when a force is applied to the support means, the mere fact that the rubber or plastic suction cups are contained at the free ends 28 of the arms in and of itself substantially increases the amount of friction such that there is a minimum of movement when the throwing means engages the retaining means 20 with a positive force.

Throwing means The throwing means 35 includes a plurality of openings or apertures 36 extending through a base portion 37 having a face surface 38 and indicating surface 39. As seen with respect to FIG. 2, I have selected for illustration apertures 36 of the following geometric forms, triangle 40, square 41, elipse 42, heart 43, octagon 44 and circle 45. The respective apertures are selected as to both shape and cross-sectional area, such that various degrees of skill are required in order to obtain the rod 21 extending through a particular aperture. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player has first thrown the throwing means 35 and has been able to obtain the rod 21 extending through the inner square 41. These configurations of geometric forms have also been selected not only for the fact that the crosssectional areas may be easily varied but in addition that certain fortunes may be associated with respective openings as hereinafter explained in greater detail. The throwing means may include a peripheral bead 46 which may be secured to the base portion, which has a substantially planar surface, by providing an annular groove 47 therein, which may easily receive the outer edge 48 of the base portion 37.

As seen in FIG. 1, the peripheral bead 46 of the base portion 37 engages the support surface 14, and it is preferable that irrespective into which aperture 36 the rod 21 extends, that at least a majority of the peripheral head 46 is in overlapping relationship to the support surface 14, if not at least all of it. Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment the relationship of the respective areas of the support surface 14 and base portion 37 is such that irrespective of the aperture 36 that the retaining means 20 extends through, the throwing means 35 will be in complete overlapping relationship with the support means 12.

The positioning of the apertures 36 may in it of itself be selected to provide a varied pattern to add further concepts to the game 10. As seen in FIG. 2, the plurality of apertures 36 may be positioned on an inner annular row and an outer annular row with a central aperture of a circular form 45 in the center.

To provide a degree of color to the throwing means 35 it may be divided into a plurality of sectors 50 on the indicating surface 39 with at least any pair of adjacent sectors coded of a different distinctive marking than the other, wherein when the throwing means 35 is flung through the air a visible pattern is obtained by its rotation.

Indicia means To provide a variety of information and permit the game to be modified to provide a number of variations indicia means 55 is provided. The indicia means 55 is capable of containing written information which may take the form of fortunes, quotations, messages and which are removably secured in place so that it may be viewed by various players of different ages. Accordingly, the indicia means 55 provides an element of excitement and interest in that each respective aperture may have a different message associated therewith, dependent upon the degree of difficulty thereof.

As seen with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, the indicia means 55 includes a plurality of holders or sleeves 56 secured to the face surface 38 of the base portion 37 adjacent each aperture with each holder 56 adapted to receive a card 57 containing information thereon. The information may have many variations for use with the amusement device 10. The holder 56 has a bottom 58 which is secured to the face surface 38 by an adhesive or other desired method, and which bottom has integrally formed therewith a pair of parallel side walls 59 terminating inwardly formed lips 60 which essentially form a U-shaped channel for receipt of the card 57. The fit between the card 57 and the holder 56 should be such that rotation of the throwing means 35 does not dislodge the card therefrom.

So that the player does not view the information contained on the card 57 prior to an appropriate time, the card is provided with a removable cover 61 which cover may be of the type having an adhesive backing so that it is easily removed from the card. Preferably, the width of the cover 61 is narrower than the opening formed by the spaced apart lips 60 such that the cover 61 may be removed without the card being removed from its holder 56. One reason for this is that the game may be continually played until all the fortunes or messages are uncovered until a new supply of cards are inserted.

Since the apertures 36 are of different cross-sectional areas and size, it is possible to provide a number of fortunes with respect to the various geometric sizes. A Table 1 below is a representative for purposes of illustration, and is not in any way a limitation on the types of messages that may be contained on the cards associated With the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Identification means In view of the fact that each aperture 36 will vary in cross-sectional area, I have found it possible to add an additional dimension of variety to the game 10, by employing identification means 65 on the indicating surface 39 of the throwing means 35. Preferably, said identification means 65 includes a numeral designation 66 for each of said respective apertures 36 with a numerical identification assigned according to the dimensional difiiculty of a respective aperture. In this way we have a cross indexing so to speak of both the fortune and the particular aperture. This permits people of various age groups to utilize the invention since messages of sorts may be combined with numerical values, ranked according to their dimensional difliculty or probability. For example, numerals 1 through may be assigned apertures as in Table 2 below.

Operation of amusement device In accordance with the invention, the amusement device 10 may be supplied in disassembled relationship in a carton and the user initially inserts the arms 26 into the appropriate bores 27 in the support member 13 so that the device is placed in operative assembled relationship. As indicated with respect to FIG. 1, this is obtained in the desired position which is as indicated on a substantially horizontal surface 30 and as afterwards discussed with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the surface may be substantially vertical and in which case a third arm may be utilized. Once the device is set up then the player takes the throwing means 35 in his hand and throws it at the support means 12, from a given distance away, such that the retaining means 20 in the form of a rod 21 penetrates through one of the apertures 36 so as to obtain the assembled relationship shown in FIG. 1. Prior to said time of throwing it the player may insert in each of the respective holders 56 an unknown message which is part of the indicia means 55 and after the rod 21 is contained within a respective aperture 36 the cover 61 of the indicia means 55 is removed and the player then sees the message or fortune for him. In addition the numerical 66 of the identification means 65 may be kept separate and apart such that the person having the ability to get the highest score may also be a winner irrespective of what fortune he gets.

Obviously, various adaptions of the relationship between the indicia means 55 and the identification means 65 may be Worked out to provide a greater degree of flexibility and utilization of the device 10. For example, both may be contained on one side of the throwing means, or the numeral may vary in direct proportion to the cross-sectional area of the respective aperture.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention ilustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, we have an amusement device 10a in which the support means 12a is vertically mounted on a support surface 30a and in which a third arm is utilized such that it may be maintained thereon. As seen the coupling means 25a is secured to the wall surface 30a in such a manner that if it is desired to be removed there are no permanent markings that are left on the wall surface, etc. In accordance with this embodiment the indicia means 55a is provided in a similar manner as discussed with respect to the above referenced figures.

With respect to the throwing means 35a the apertures 36a are contained on a first annular inner row 70a and a second outer annular row 71a of greater diametrical dimension than said first annular row 70a, with respective sets of apertures positioned on each of the rows 7 0a and 71a extending along a common line 72a emanating from the center of said engagement means 35a. In addition sector common lines 73a divide the base portion 37a into a plurality of equal sectors 50a and each of the sectors 50a may be coded, as by color, in a distinctive marking so that it is visible when thrown through the air and rotation is obtained.

The various components of the amusement device may be fabricated from a variety of plastics, metal, rubber and other materials commercially available.

Although preferred embodiments have been illustrated, this invention is not limited to the particular details of construction and operation as equivalents will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising:

(A) support means,

(B) retaining means extending from one side of said support means,

(C) throwing means including a base portion having a plurality of apertures of varying configuration for receiving said retaining means therethrough,

(D) indicia means contained on said base portion adjacent said respective apertures, said indicia means adapted to be varied to provide a selective change of information in accordance with a related aperture, said indica means including a plurality of similarly sized holders secured to said base portion and each holder having removably received therein a card containing information thereon, whereby continuing variations of information may be utilized in conjunction with the amusement device, and

(E) coupling means extending from said support means for securing said support means in a relatively fixed position for receiving said throwing means.

2. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said card has a removable cover, such that the information contained thereon is not visible to the user until said cover is removed.

3. An amusement device comprising:

(A) support means,

(B) retaining means extending from one side of said support means,

(C) throwing means including a base portion having a plurality of apertures of varying configuration for receiving said retaining means therethrough,

(D) indicia means contained on said base portion adjacent said respective apertures, said indicia means adapted to be varied to provide a selective change of information in accordance with a related aperture,

(E) coupling means extending from said support means for securing said support means in a relatively fixed position for receiving said throwing means, and

(a) wherein said support means has a support surface of a cross-sectional area at least equal to the area of said base portion,

(b) wherein said retaining means includes a rod extending from said support surface for insertion within said apertures and having a tapered free end to facilitate its movement therethrough,

() wherein said apertures of said throwing means are of various cross-sectional areas and various geometric forms to provide a varied pattern of apertures,

((1) wherein said indicia means includes a plurality of holders secured to said base portion and each holder has received therein a card containing information thereon, whereby continuing variations of information may be utilized in conjunction with the amusement device, said card having a removable cover, such that the information contained thereon is not visible to the user until said cover is removed,

(e) wherein said coupling means includes at least two arms extending in a plane substantially normal to said support means and having suction cups secured thereto at its respective free ends, whereby said support means may be removably secured to a variety of surfaces for use of the amusement device, and

(f) identification means adjacent said respective apertures, said identification means including a numeral designation for each of said respective apertures, said numeral identifications assigned according to the dimensional difficulty of a respective aperture.

4. An amusement device comprising:

(A) support means,

(B) retaining means extending from one side of said support means,

(C) throwing means including a base portion having a plurality of apertures of varying configuration for receiving said retaining means therethrough,

(.D) indicia means contained on said base portion adjacent said respective apertures, said indicia means adapted to be varied to provide a selective change of information in accordance with a related aperture,

(E) coupling means extending from said support means for securing said support means in a relatively fixed position for receiving said throwing means, and

(a) wherein said support means has a support surface of a cross-sectional area at least equal to the area of said base portion,

(b) wherein said retaining means includes a rod extending from said support surface for insertion within said apertures and having a tapered free end to facilitate its movement therethrough.

(0) wherein said apertures of said throwing means are of various cross-sectional areas and various geometric forms, and said apertures are contained on a first annular row and a second annular row of greater diametrical dimension than said first annular row, with respective sets of apertures positioned on each of said rows extending along a common line eminating from the center of said engagement means, each of said apertures of a respective set having a differing cross-sectional configurations, wherein a varied pattern of apertures is obtained,

(d) wherein said indicia means includes a plurality of holders secured to said base portion and each holder has received therein a card containing information thereon, whereby continuing variations of information may be utilized in conjunction with the amusement device, said card having a removable cover, such that the information contained thereon is not visible to the user until said cover is removed, and

(e) wherein said coupling means includes at least two arms extending in a plane substantially normal to said support means and having suction cups secured thereto at its respective free ends, whereby said support means may be removably secured to a variety of surfaces for use of the amusement device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 705,632 7/ 1902 Astarita. 1,059,886 4/1913 Loomis 4649 1,549,109 7/1925 Roop 273 2,146,457 2/1939 Vernon 273-100 X 2,911,758 11/1959 Carson 273 X 2,913,137 11/1959 Alatorre. 3,113,778 12/1963 Silverman 273139 FOREIGN PATENTS 379,907 9/1907 France.

609,996 5/ 1926 France.

159,971 2/ 1933 Switzerland.

45 ANTON o. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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