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US 6,843,478 B1Granted
Tossing ball game
OwnerRene Hoepelmaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A game is played using a target unit that has at least two target holes defined therein and a plurality of protrusions thereon. A game ball is thrown at the target unit and either enters a target hole, rebounds from the target unit, or misses the target unit. Players are divided into teams and each team is awarded points if a player from that team successfully tosses the game ball into a target hole. Time limits can be imposed for the overall game, the time allotted for a team to throw a ball, or the like. A player is charged with fouls for leaving a designated player area, contacting another player or the like, and can be disqualified from the game if that player accumulates too many fouls. The target can be modular and can be rotated during play.
Claims18
A game comprising:
- a) a target unit which includes a hollow tubular target element, the target element having
- (1) a tubular wall,
- (2) an outer surface on the tubular wall,
- (3) an inner surface on the tubular wall,
- (4) a first end,
- (5) a second end,
- (6) a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end,
- (7) a diameter dimension that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis,
- (8) two target holes defined through the tubular wall, the target holes being located on opposite ends of the diameter dimension,
- (9) a plurality of semispherical protrusions on the outer surface of the tubular wall, the protrusions being located between the two target holes, the protrusions being spaced apart from each other,
- (10) a connecting tube connecting the two target holes together, the connecting tube extending along the diameter dimension of said target element, and
- (11) a dam element mounted on the connecting tube adjacent to each target hole, the dam element occluding a portion of the target hole adjacent thereto;
- b) a playing field which includes
- (1) an arcuate outer boundary having a perimeter,
- (2) an arcuate inner boundary located inside the perimeter of the outer boundary,
- (3) a target unit accommodating location positioned within the inner boundary, said target unit being located at the target unit accommodating location,
- (4) a plurality of player boundary areas, each player boundary area extending radially between the inner boundary and the outer boundary, each player boundary area including a sub-boundary area located adjacent to the outer boundary and in which a player is required to remain during a game;
- and
- c) a game ball.
16 more elements
A method for playing a game comprising:
- a) providing a target unit which includes a hollow tubular target element, the target element having
- (1) a tubular wall,
- (2) an outer surface on the tubular wall,
- (3) an inner surface on the tubular wall,
- (4) a first end,
- (5) a second end,
- (6) a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end,
- (7) a diameter dimension that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis,
- (8) two target holes defined through the tubular wall, the target holes being located on opposite ends of the diameter dimension,
- (9) a plurality of semispherical protrusions on the outer surface of the tubular wall, the protrusions being located between the two target holes, the protrusions being spaced apart from each other,
- (10) a connecting tube connecting the two target holes together, the connecting tube extending along the diameter dimension of said target element, and
- (11) a dam element mounted on the connecting tube adjacent to each target hole, the dam element occluding a portion of the target hole adjacent thereto;
- b) providing a playing field which includes
- (1) an arcuate outer boundary having a perimeter,
- (2) an arcuate inner boundary located inside the perimeter of the outer boundary,
- (3) a target unit accommodating location positioned within the inner boundary, said target unit being located at the target unit accommodating location,
- (4) a plurality of player boundary areas, each player boundary area extending radially between the inner boundary and the outer boundary, each player boundary area including a sub-boundary area located adjacent to the outer boundary and in which a player is required to remain during a game;
- c) providing a game ball;
- d) locating the target unit in the target accommodating location;
- e) locating a player in each of a plurality of first sub-boundary areas;
- f) dividing the players into at least first and second teams;
- g) designating one player from the first team as the initial player;
- h) having the initial player throw the game ball at the target unit and trying to throw the ball into one of the target holes;
- i) when a player tosses the ball, requiring the other players to not obstruct, hit, or try to touch the ball when it is on its way to the target holes;
- and
- j) requiring a player from the second team to throw the game ball at the target unit within a specified time period after the game ball is caught.
23 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.