| 20040145114 | Game timer with increased visibility | July, 2004 | Ippolito et al. |
| 20080139267 | Multi-hand blackjack video game | June, 2008 | Jackson |
| 20060119043 | Multi level progressive blackjack | June, 2006 | O'halloran |
| 20020121739 | Three dimensional cube puzzle | September, 2002 | Sum |
| 20020074725 | Concepts for playing poker | June, 2002 | Stern |
| 20080073851 | Interactive question and answer dream game | March, 2008 | Myers |
| 20040212152 | Interactive game that empowers participants through the use of imagery to help fight their illness and disease and to focus their mental energy to aid in healing and well-being | October, 2004 | Kaplan et al. |
| 20040070145 | In the middle | April, 2004 | Schlumbrecht |
| 20090230624 | Poker craps and maxi poker | September, 2009 | Aguilera |
| 20040007818 | Rebound-action sports board game | January, 2004 | Newman |
| 20020033575 | Ring rolling game apparatus and method for playing the same | March, 2002 | Rader |
This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application No. 60/797,906 filed May 5, 2006. Application 60/797,906 is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tossing games and more particularly to a skill ball tossing game where a pair of balls tied together are tossed onto a set of bars for points.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous ball games and tossing games are known in the art. Also tying balls together with string or other material is known (bola balls). It would be advantageous to have a tossing skill games that could be enjoyed by all ages using a pair (or more) tied-together balls.
The present invention relates to a skill tossing game that includes at least one horizontal bar generally located a predetermined distance away from the players and a predetermined height above the ground. The preferred setup contains two bars separated vertically by around 12 inches with the top bar being around 32 inches above the ground. The bars can have legs for support or can be driven into the ground. A pair of balls are tied together with a flexible connection such as a string or cord, and the players toss the balls onto one of the horizontal bars to earn points. In one embodiment of the game, the top bar equals 2 points, and the bottom bar equals 1 point. The first player to reach a predetermined score (such as 21 points) wins. The balls can be wiffle balls, tennis balls, golf balls or the like. The preferred balls are tennis balls. The preferred separation for the balls is around 12 inches.
FIG. 1 shows the layout of an embodiment of the game of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the balls.
Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in the understanding of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited to what is shown in the figures.
Turning to FIG. 1, a layout of an embodiment of the present invention game can be seen. A set of bars 1 include a plurality of horizontal bars or rungs. FIG. 1 shows a game with an upper rung 2 and a lower rung 3. The present invention can be played with any number of bars or rungs. Hooks can also be substituted for bars.
A pair of balls 4 are coupled with a string, rubber, rope or other tying means 5. The tied-together balls are tossed from a particular distance in an attempt to make them straddle one of the rungs or bars. Each rung or bar can count for a different score.
In a preferred embodiment, the bars can be set up about the distance between horseshoe posts in the game of horseshoes. While this is the preferred distance, any distance can be used. Greater distances can be used to make the game more difficult or for adults or older children, while closer distances can be used to simplify the game for beginners or younger children. The preferred height of the upper bar is around 32 inches above the ground with the next bar down being about 12 inches lower. The preferred length of the bars is around 36 inches. While these measurements are preferred, any length, height or distance between the bars is within the scope of the present invention.
A predetermined number of points can be assigned each rung or bar. For example, the top bar could count 2 points with the bottom bar counting 1 point. Any scoring arrangement or point choice is within the scope of the present invention.
To play the game, player number 1 can toss the balls followed by player number 2, 3, etc. In an alternative embodiment, two sets of bars can be used separated from each other. Player number 1 can stand by one set of bars, and player number 2 can stand by the other set. Player 1 can make a toss, and then player 2 can make a toss in the opposite direction. This speeds up the game since the balls do not have to be retrieved. The game can end when one player reaches or passes a predetermined score like 21 points.
FIG. 2 shows an example of the balls 4. The balls can be golf balls, tennis balls, wiffle balls or any other type of ball. Wiffle balls and tennis balls are safer then golf balls, especially for small children. Baseballs of all sorts can also be used. Any type of ball is within the scope of the present invention.
The balls 4 can be tied together with a light string, rope, strand or binding 5 of any type. The preferred distance between the balls is from around 1 foot to around 1½ feet apart; however any convenient distance can be used. The tying material 5 can be non-stretch like string or stretch like rubber. Any type of tying material or method of tying the balls together is within the scope of the present invention.
The manner of tossing is optional, but it is preferred that it be specified by the rules of the game. Holding the balls with one finger in the middle of the tie is the preferred method (shown in FIG. 1); however, any holding or tossing method is within the scope of the present invention.
Several descriptions and illustrations have been provided to aid in the understanding of the present invention. One skilled in the art will realize that numerous changes and variations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of the present invention.