Gaming and learning system using sloped surfaces

Abstract

A gaming system for providing a handicapped level of competition between two or more players is provided. The gaming system may include a launch area, a target, and a runway extending between the launch area and the target. The runway may have a runway slope having an angle of between about 3 and 22 degrees from horizontal such that an elevation of the launch area is above or below an elevation of the target. The runway slope may handicap a difficulty level of a competition for two or more players attempting to advance a projectile toward a target by making the difficulty level more difficult for at least one player, easier for at least one player, or both.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 053,632 filed Sep. 22, 2014, entitled “GAMING AND LEARNING SYSTEM USING SLOPED SURFACES,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Target hitting games are often played by groups of people of varying skill levels. Conventional target games are designed such that more experienced or more skilled players have a distinct advantage over less experienced or less skilled players. Oftentimes, less experienced or less skilled players lack the power, accuracy, consistency, and / or other skill to continuously advance a projectile toward a target. Due to this, players of varying skill levels, such as beginners and advanced players, may have a difficult time competing against one another on a level playing field. Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]Embodiments of the invention provide systems for handicapping various games involving advancing a projectile toward a target. Natural handicaps may be created by varying features of the terrain of the course and / or by varying the equipment used. Terrain considerations that affect a handicap may include slope, course materials, distance from a start or launch area to a target or other course features, and positioning of the various course features. The natural handicaps enable players of all ability levels to compete on a level playing field.

[0004]In one aspect, a gaming system for providing a handicapped level of competition between two or more players is provided. The gaming system may include a launch area, a target, and a runway extending between the launch area and the target. The runway may have a runway slope having an angle of between about 3 and 22 degrees from horizontal such that an elevation of the launch area is above or below an elevation of the target. The runway slope may handicap a difficulty level of a competition for two or more players attempting to advance a projectile toward a target by making the difficulty level more difficult for at least one player, easier for at least one player, or both.

[0005]In another aspect, a gaming system may include a launch area, a target, a runway extending between the launch area and the target, and a bumper slope positioned between the runway and the target. The runway may have a runway slope having an angle of between about 3 and 22 degrees from horizontal such that an elevation of the launch area is above or below an elevation of the target. The runway slope may handicap a difficulty level of a competition for two or more players attempting to advance a projectile toward a target by making the difficulty level more difficult for at least one player, easier for at least one player, or both. The bumper slope may include an upslope extending above a base of the runway and toward the target. The bumper slope may be configured to reduce momentum of a rolling projectile to modify the difficulty level of the competition.

[0006]In another aspect, a method of handicapping a competition between two or more players is provided. The method may include determining a desired difficulty level of a competition for two or more players attempting to advance a projectile toward a target. The method may also include providing a launch area, the target, a runway extending between the launch area and the target, and a bumper slope positioned between the runway and the target. The method may further include selecting a slope of the runway, an upslope of the bumper slope, and a slope of the target based on the desired difficulty level to make the competition more difficult for at least one player, easier for at least one player, or both. The method may include selecting a material and a texture of the target based on desired difficulty level.

Problems solved by technology

The runway slope may handicap a difficulty level of a competition for two or more players attempting to advance a projectile toward a target by making the difficulty level more difficult for at least one player, easier for at least one player, or both.

The runway slope may handicap a difficulty level of a competition for two or more players attempting to advance a projectile toward a target by making the difficulty level more difficult for at least one player, easier for at least one player, or both.

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