# US 4,392,653 A · Game apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,392,653 A - Document ID: US4392653A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/316,752 - Filed: 1981-10-30 - Granted: 1983-07-12 - Earliest claimed: 1981-10-30 - Inventors: James W. Blume, Sr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4392653A ## CPC - A63B 67/06: Ring or disc tossing games {, e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles} - A63B 2208/12: specially adapted for children - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A game apparatus for playing a toss type skill game wherein the apparatus forms a target area for the game and has an open topped container defined by a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from around the bottom wall, a hole through the bottom wall at a location spaced from the peripheral wall, and a tubular member positioned extending upwardly from the bottom wall through the hole, the tubular member having an open upper side forming a target for receiving objects thrown at the apparatus. A second embodiment of the game apparatus is provided wherein the height of the tubular member may be varied for varying the difficulty of the game. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A game apparatus comprising a base member having side walls extending upwardly therefrom around the perimeter thereof and a hole near the center thereof spaced from the side walls, a tubular member extending upwardly from the base and having a central cavity that registers with the hole forming a target, and a receiving member engageable with the tubular member for increasing the height of the target, said receiving member having a central cavity for receiving playing pieces tossed therein. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base member is generally square shaped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the side walls have opposed inner and outer surfaces, the inner surfaces facing the tubular member and being acutely angularly related relative to the normal to the base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving member extends upwardly further than the side walls when engaged with said tubular member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The game apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of receiving members, each having a different length. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving member includes means adjustable to vary the height thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The game apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means adjustable to vary the height includes a plurality of concentric tubular members nested one within the other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiving member is operable to be inserted into the tubular member and has an annular outwardly extending flange on one end for engagement with the base member when the receiving member is inserted into said tubular member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The game apparatus of claim 8 wherein the base member has an annular cavity formed therein around the central hole for receiving the annular flange on the insertable receiving member. ### Claim 10 A method of playing a game comprising providing a base member having side walls extending upwardly therefrom around the perimeter thereof, an opening positioned near the center of said base member spaced from said side walls, providing a tubular member extending upwardly from said base member and having a central cavity that registers with said opening forming a target, providing a receiving member insertable through said tubular member for increasing the height of the target, said receiving member having a central cavity for receiving playing pieces tossed therein, providing a plurality of playing pieces of a size to be thrown into the central cavity of said receiving member, tossing a predetermined number of said playing pieces from a predetermined distance from the base member toward the target with the intention of having them enter the center cavity of said receiving member, and scoring the value of selected ones of playing pieces tossed based upon the position of said playing pieces when they come to rest relative to said target. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising varying the height of said receiving member for varying the difficulty of the game. ### Claim 12 A game apparatus for playing a toss type skill game, said apparatus forming a target area for the game and comprising an open topped container defined by a bottom wall and a peripherial wall extending upwardly from around the bottom wall, a hole through the bottom wall at a location spaced from the peripherial wall, a first tubular member positioned extending upwardly from the bottom wall through said hole, said first tubular member having an open upper side forming a target for receiving objects thrown at the apparatus, said first tubular member having an outer cross sectional size and shape to match the shape of the hole through the bottom wall whereby said tubular member can be moved through the hole in the bottom wall of said container, means on said first tubular member adjacent one end thereof movable into engagement with the bottom wall of said container to limit movement thereof through said hole, and a second tubular member positioned for movement through said first tubular member and along the entire length thereof, the length of said second tubular member being greater than the length of said first tubular member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second tubular member includes a plurality of concentric tubular members slidably nested telescopically one within the other for varying the height thereof.