SquareThrowing Game

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of priority to United States Provisional Application No. 62/846,972 filed on May 13, 2019. The content of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/846,972 filed on May 13, 2019 is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to equipment for a novel tossing or throwing game and a method for using same. The inventor has created a novel game with equipment specific to the game.

(b) Background Art

Throwing or tossing games have a history stretching back to Antiquity. Games ranging from modern track and field events at the Olympics to the backyard corn-hole game all have common roots. Most throwing sports are played on a defined field of play and involve various methods of throwing a variety of devices at a target including overhand, underhand and two-handed overhead throwing. The method of throwing the object is typically a function of the shape of the object being thrown. Most of these games either involve standing still to throw the object or a short run up to a position where the object is thrown, such as in bowling.

A variety of different objects can be thrown including balls, discs, darts, javelins, etc. Typically, the object being thrown is designed to be aerodynamic, i.e. to fly through the area smoothly when thrown properly. Most discs that are used in throwing games are round or circular objects such as the disc used in the discus throw and the modern day Frisbee. Throwing games are not typically played with irregularly shaped devices the trajectory of which is difficult to predict when thrown. To the extent the object is difficult to direct to the target, it is usually still a uniformly shaped device that is meant to travel smoothly through the air, such as a Frisbee.

The inventor has designed a unique tossing game that differs from other tossing games in that the disc that is being thrown is square or rectangular shaped and has an optional hole in its center, traversing both sides and the interior of the disc, thereby causing its flight pattern to be less predictable than rounded or spherical objects commonly used in tossing games.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed game includes one or more “flying squares.” The term flying square refers to a flattened disc in the shape of a polyhedron, such as a square or rectangle disc, that is meant to be thrown while the game is played. In preferred embodiments, the flying square is relatively flat ideally being approximately 0.125 inches in thickness. In this sense, approximately 0.125 inches means within 0.01 inches of 0.125 inches. Other embodiments of the device are approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inches thick. In addition, preferred embodiments of the flying square are nine (9) inches square and contain an optional circular cutout with a four and a one quarter (4.25) inch diameter in the approximate center of the flying square. In this case the approximate center of the flying disc is defined to be within one half (0.5) inches of the geometric center of the flying square's square shaped body. The hole traverses both sides of the disc which is to say that the hole extends all the way through each outer surface of the disc. The inventor anticipates the game will be played outside and that indoor versions of the game will use a smaller flying disc.

The flying square can be made of a number of different materials including rubber, rubberized materials or a number of different polymers and plastics. Ideally, the flying square is a rigid device that resists deformation to the extent that the act of throwing the flying square and the associated wind resistance will not cause the flying square to noticeably deform. However, the above materials do produce a disc with a degree of flexibility such that the flying squares are not perfectly rigid at all times. Some embodiments of the flying square contain a plastic core and a rubberized exterior that provides the above desired characteristics, but preferred embodiments and the inventor's anticipated best mode of the game pieces include a flying square made out of corrugated plastic with no distinct inner core made of another material.

Preferred embodiments of the method of playing the game also include the use of a free-standing goal. Preferred embodiments and the anticipated best mode of the goal include a rectangular shaped box-like structure with an open end, i.e. mouth, a base, and a backboard built into it. Further, the anticipated best mode of the goal includes a goal that is approximately fifteen (15) inches by thirteen (13) inches at the base and is twenty (20) inches high, not including the height of the backboard. The backboard ideally extends approximately thirteen (13) inches above the rim or mouth of the rectangular box-shaped goal. Approximate in this context means within 0.25 inches of the stated measurement. Furthermore, the inventor anticipates that preferred embodiments of the goal will be made from plastics, ideally, a corrugated plastic. The structure of the goal is such that it can be folded flat when the game is not in use allowing for easy storage and transport. Some embodiments of the target may include an optional; weight in the bottom of the target that helps to hold it in place during use. Some embodiments of the target come with a water-tight bag or container that can be filled and placed in the bottom of the open target to help hold it in place during play.

Preferred methods of playing the game include using a plurality, ideally three (3) throwing squares for each of two players or teams. A skilled artisan will realize that the game can be played with virtually any number of players or teams each having one or more flying squares. In its most basic form, the method of using the equipment to play the game includes throwing the flying squares from a predetermined location at the goal described above and keeping track of the points scored in the process of doing so. Each team has a designated area from which they can throw their flying squares at one or more goals. Preferred embodiments of the method of using the equipment include two goals at opposite ends of a playing field and spaced apart such that the front of each goal is facing the front of the other opposing goal and the front surfaces of the goals are approximately thirty (30) feet apart from each other. The term “approximately” in this context means plus or minus three (3) feet.

Preferred methods of playing the game are as follows with the understanding that a number of these elements can be modified to suit the players. Each team stands at the same end of the playing field facing a single goal. A line is either drawn approximately 30 feet from the goal. The players are not allowed to cross the line when throwing a flying square. They are allowed; however, to back up as much as desired. One member of a team throws their flying squares at the goal and then a member of the other team does the same. These activities constitute one round. Points are tallied and then a second round is played. The teams alternate throwing the squares until one team scores enough points to win. The team that either has scored the most points in the previous round or has scored the last point in the previous round throws first in the next round. In the inventor's anticipated best mode of playing the game, the teams play until one team is the first to reach 21 points. Alternately, the game can be played such that each team has their own goal at which to throw.

Further describing a preferred embodiment and the inventor's anticipated best mode of playing the game, points are scored by either hitting the goal with the flying square or throwing the flying square into the goal. The flying square is allowed to come into contact with the ground after being thrown without penalty. Players are not allowed to assist or impede any other players when they are throwing a flying square. Should the flying square land such that it is leaning on the goal, i.e., touching the goal but does not land in the open mouth of the goal, then the throwing player scores two (2) points. However, if another flying square should displace that disc that is in contact with the goal, then the points awarded to the throwing player are reduced to one (1). Should a throwing player throw a flying square such that it lands entirely within the goal, then the throwing player is awarded three (3) points. If a first flying disc lands on the goal, but does not go into the goal, then it is also awarded two (2) points, unless another player uses a second flying disc to displace the first flying disc, in which case the score for throwing the first flying disc is reduced from two (2) to one (1) point. All points count with no cancellations of points. Ideally, the team that scores twenty-one (21) points by the end of a round wins. If both teams score twenty-one (21) points and there is a tie, then both teams will throw in a final round and the team that scores the most points in that final round wins. The player having scored the most points in the round preceding the final round begins throwing first.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 contains a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the flying square used in the disclosed throwing game; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the target used in the disclosed throwing game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the flying square 10 or the disc that is used in the game. Note, in preferred embodiments and the anticipated best mode of practicing the invention, the flying square is actually square—each side of the square is the same or approximately the same length. Approximately, in this context means within 0.25 inches. Other embodiments of the flying square 10 may be rectangular. Note, in this sense, the term “flying square” is merely a name and is not always descriptive of the shape of the flying square. In general, it is the non-rounded shape of the flying square that causes it to be more difficult to throw at or into the target than a rounded disc would be. Preferred embodiments of the device feature rounded corners. Preferred embodiments and the inventor's anticipated best mode of the flying square 10 are approximately nine (9) inches long on each side and feature an optional hole 11 in the center or approximate center of the flying square. The term “approximate” in this context means the center of the hole 11 is within one-quarter (0.25) inches of the geometric center of the flying square's square-shaped body 12 and the sides of the device are within 0.25 inches of being exactly 9 inches. In addition, the diameter of the hole 11 can be varied as desired, but the inventor's anticipated best mode of the flying square has a hole in the center of the flying square that is approximately four and a quarter (4.25) inches in diameter. Other less preferred embodiments of the flying disc 10 can include more than one hole 11, the hole or holes being located somewhere other than at or near the geometric center of the square or rectangular body, as well as holes that are not circular, but rather form different shapes, such as squares, triangles or irregularly shaped holes.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the target or goal 15 the inventor anticipates will be used as part of the throwing game. Preferred embodiments and the anticipated best mode of the game use a free standing, rectangular-shaped, box-like structure as the target or goal 15. The goal 15 consists of a structure with an open end or mouth 16, a base 17, and a backboard 18 extending away from a wall of the goal, up and away from the mouth 16. The anticipated best mode of the goal is approximately fifteen (15) inches by thirteen (13) inches at the base 17 and is twenty (20) inches high, not including the height of the backboard 18. Preferred embodiments of the backboard 18 extend thirteen (13) inches above the mouth 16 of the rectangular box-shaped goal 15.

Reference throughout the specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

It is understood that the above described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode, is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing description.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.