US3582076A - Electrical scoring game - Google Patents

Abstract

A target board having a set of electrically conductive strips radiating from its center and also having a set of electrically conductive segments disposed between and electrically isolated from the strips. A set of score indicating lamps is connected in series with the respective segments to a source of current which is also connected to all the strips in a normally open circuit. A plurality of electrically conductive projectiles are adapted to be thrown on the target board to bridge the segments and strips for closing the circuit through one or more of the lamps. The projectiles are bean bags with electrically conductive covering.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Christian A- Ke l r 2,914,327 1 H1959 Ginetta 273/l02.2 4008 l a a Road. Baltimore, Md. 3,147,976 9/1964 Millar 273/102 2 0 3,455,553 7/1969 Melvin 273/102.2 Appl. No. 801,319 3,480,280 11/1969 Gamertsfelder 273/106 Filed Feb. 24, 1969 Patented June 1 1971 Prn nary Examiner-Richard Pmkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Slskind Attorneys-Munson H. Lane and Munson H. Lane, Jr.

GAME ABSTRACT: A target board having a set of electrically conductlve stnps radiating from its center and also having a set of US. electrically conductive segments disposed between and elec- 273/ i 1 06R trically isolated from the strips. A set of score indicating lamps Ill. Cl n F 41 5/04 is connected in Series with the respective Segments to a source Field of Search 273/ 102.1, of current which is also connected to a" the strips i 3 102-1 102-1 102-2, 102-2 A, 102 mally open circuit. A plurality of electrically conductive pro- 'ectiles are ada ted to be thrown on the tar et board to brid e References cued the segments 35d strips for closing the circ uit through one it UNITED STATES PATENTS more of the lamps. The projectiles are bean bags with electri- 1,513,968 1 1 1924 Crandall 273/ 106.2 cally conductive covering.

' PATENTED IJN 1 I971 FIGJ.

FIG.2.

FIG.3.

mvsmoa Christian A. Keller BY WW 75 ATTORNEY ELECTRICAL SCORING GAME This invention relates to new and useful improvements in games, and in particular the invention concerns itself with game apparatus which may be effectively employed for playing a game similar to horseshoe pitching,'in that the apparatus comprises a target board and a plurality of projectiles which are adapted to be thrown thereon.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of this general type wherein electrical means are utilized to indicate the score in accordance with different positions which the thrown projectiles occupy on the target board.

Briefly, the target board of the invention is provided with two sets of electrically conductive areas which are isolated from each other, the areas in one set being connected in series with a set of score indicated lamps to a source of current which is also connected to the areas in the other set. The projectiles are inthe form of bean bags with an electrically conductive coating, and when they are thrown on the target board they bridge the otherwise isolated conductive areas of the board so that one or more of the lamps is energized to indicate the score.

The conductive areas of the board are arranged in a pattern so that they radiate outwardly from the center of the board, and thus it is possible to attain a higher score by attempting to land the projectile s close to the center where they may electrically bridge-more of the conductive areas than if they land further away from the center of the board.

The apparatus of the invention is particularly well suited for use indoors and in small spaces where conventional horseshoe pitching games cannot be played without danger to the surroundings.

Also, the apparatus is easily portable and is powered by a dry cell battery so that it does not require connection to an external source of current supply. It is light in weight, simple in construction, and lends itself to economical manufacture.

Although in the manner of conventional horseshoe pitching, the apparatus of the invention may utilize two target boards against which the projectiles are thrown, only a single target board may be used, if so desired.

With the foregoing more important object and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference are used to designate like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a target board in accordance with the invention:

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of the electrical components; and

F IG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the projectiles.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the electrical scoring game of the invention comprises a target board designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The same consists of a boxlike housing 11 which is preferably although not necessarily rectangular in plan, the normally horizontal upper surface of the housing constituting the target itself and'being provided at its center with an upstanding post 12 to simulate the usual post or spike used in a conventional horseshoe game. The surface of the projectile employed is electrically conductive and is of the bean bag type. The projectile is adapted to be tossed after the manner of a horse shoe so that it may land on the normally horizontal target surface of the housing 11.

The target board is provided with a set of striplike electrically conductive areas 13 which radiate outwardly from the center and are joined together at the center by an annular member 13a which surrounds the post 12, the post itself being made of any suitable insulating material.

Portions of the target board between the adjacent electrically conductive strips 13 are provided with a set of electrically conductive segments 14, and these are electrically isolated from the conductive strips 13 by intervening nonconductive regions 15 of the board. The board may be constructed in any suitable manner, for example, the strips 13 and segments 14 may be of metal and secured to the board by adhesive or which may be arranged in the form of a horseshoe, if so desired. As will be apparent from FIG. 3, the lamps 17 are connected in series with the respective segments 14 to the battery 16 which is also connected to all of the strips 13 (by virtue of the connecting member 13a of the strips), this providing a circuit which is normally open because of the electrical isolation 15 between the strips 13 and the segments 14. Thus, the

lamps l7 nonnally are not energized.

The invention also provides one or more electrically conductive projectiles 18 which are adapted to be thrown onto the target board 10 in order to electrically bridge the isolation 15 between the conductive strips 13 and segments 14, thereby completing the circuit through one or more of the lamps l7 and energizing the same.

Preferably, each of the projectiles 18 is in the form of a bag containing material in pellet form, as for example a bean bag, and either the bag itself is made of electrically conductive material or it is provided with a suitable electrically conductive covering.

The bags 18 are of such size in relation to the target board that each bag may bridge together one of the strips 13 and one or two of the segments 14 at various locations near the periphery of the board, but if the bag lands closer to the center of the board, the convergent pattern of the strips 13 and segments 14 makes it possible for several of the strips and segments to be bridged by a single bag. The attained score is indicated by the number of the lamps 17 which become energized after one or more of the bags have been thrown.

What I claim as new is:

1. An electrical scoring game comprising a normally horizontal target board provided on its surface with first and second sets of electrically conductive areas disposed alternately so that each area of each set is located between two adjacent areas of the other set, said two sets of areas being electrically isolated from each other, a set of score indicating lamps connected in series with the respective areas of the first set to a source of current which is also connected to all the areas of the second set in a circuit which is normally open by the electrical isolation of the two sets of areas, and at least one electrically conductive projectile adapted to be thrown on said target board for bridging the electrical isolation between the two sets of areas and closing the circuit to at least one of said lamps, the electrically conductive areas in said second set being in the'form of substantially straight strips radiating outwardly from the geometric center of the target board, and the areas in said first set being in the form of segments disposed between the adjacent strips, said projectile comprising a bag containing a quantity of loose material and having an electrically conductive covering.

2. The game as defined in claim 1 wherein the material in said bag is in pellet form.

3. The game as defined in claim 1 wherein the material in said bag is beans.

4. The game as defined in claim 1 together with an upstanding post of insulating material provided at the center of the target board.

Claims (4)

1. An electrical scoring game comprising a normally horizontal target board provided on its surface with first and second sets of electrically conductive areas disposed alternately so that each area of each set is located between two adjacent areas of the other set, said two sets of areas being electrically isolated from each other, a set of score indicating lamps connected in series with the respective areas of the first set to a source of current which is also connected to all the areas of the second set in a circuit which is normally open by the electrical isolation of the two sets of areas, and at least one electrically conductive projectile adapted to be thrown on said target board for bridging the electrical isolation between the two sets of areas and closing the circuit to at least one of said lamps, the electrically conductive areas in said second set being in the form of substantially straight strips radiating outwardly from the geometric center of the target board, and the areas in said first set being in the form of segments disposed between the adjacent strips, said projectile comprising a bag containing a quantity of loose material and having an electrically conductive covering.

2. The game as defined in claim 1 wherein the material in said bag is in pellet form.

3. The game as defined in claim 1 wherein the material in said bag is beans.

4. The game as defined in claim 1 together with an upstanding post of insulating material provided at the center of the target board.

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