Bag toss game

Abstract

A target toss game that has at least one board and a number of bags. The board has a target with a hole that is selectively attached to a platform. The platform has a frame and at least one leg. The frame and platform are selectively collapsable for storage and portability.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of games. More particularly, the present invention relates to bag toss games.BACKGROUND

[0002] The bag toss game, sometimes referred to as the game cornhole, typically includes two boards and eight bags. Boards for cornhole are typically made from wood. Such wood boards are often difficult to move and / or store because the boards do not collapse or only minimally collapse and / or because the wood targets are heavy.

[0003] Some boards for bag toss games have been made with a fabric panel attached to and supported by a plastic frame. Such boards are lighter than wood targets and some can be selectively assembled and disassembled for easier storage and portability. When a thrown bag lands on the fabric panel, the fabric and / or plastic frame can cause the bag to bounce more than when a thrown bag lands on a wood board, such as, for example, because of a trampoline effect. An increase in the amount a bag bounces when it lands on the target after being tossed is not desired as players want the board to play like a traditional wood board.

[0004] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of a bag toss game, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the bag toss game. The following description is based on embodiments of the bag toss game and should not be taken as limiting the bag toss game with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein. A brief description of the figures is as follows:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a bag toss game board.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded side perspective view of one embodiment of a bag toss game board.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a corner bracket from the bag toss game board of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded side perspective view of poles, hinge brackets and brace brackets from the bag toss game board of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 5 is an exploded side perspective view of a leg from the bag toss game board of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a bag toss game board of FIG. 1 with the leg in the extended position.

[0012] FIG. 7 is an exploded side perspective view of poles and brace brackets from the bag toss game board of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 8 is bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a bag toss game board of FIG. 1 with the leg in the collapsed position.

[0014] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the strap and clip from the bag toss game board of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the target from the bag toss game board of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the target of FIG. 10.

[0017] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the bag toss game may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a bag toss board 10 is depicted having a target 12 that is attached to a platform 14. In one embodiment, the platform 14 includes a frame 15 and at least one leg 16 attached to the frame at a first end of the platform 14 such that the leg causes the first end of the platform 14 to be off the ground while the second end of the platform is resting against or near the ground.

[0019] In one embodiment, the frame 15 is formed from a number of tubular poles attached to brackets. The frame 15 seen in FIG. 2 is formed by poles 18 attached to corner brackets 20 to form a rectangular shape. In one embodiment seen in FIG. 3, the brackets 20 have a first opening 22 formed therein and a second opening 24 formed therein at a right angle to the first opening. The first opening 22 is sized to receive one end of a pole 18 and the second opening is sized to receive one end of another pole 18. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 2, two poles 18 are a first length and two poles 18 are a second length. The two poles of a first length are attached to corner brackets 20 on opposite sides of the platform 14. The two poles 18 of the second length are attached to corner brackets 20 on opposite sides of the platform. Because the first length is longer than the second length, a rectangular frame 15 is formed. In another embodiment, multiple poles are used to form the pole of the first length.

[0020] In the embodiment seen in FIG. 2, leg 16 of the platform 14 is attached to the frame 15 by at least one hinge 26 such that the leg 16 can be rotated between a first position and a second position. When the leg 16 is in the first position, a first end of the leg is collapsed or adjacent the frame 15 as seen in FIG. 8. When the leg 16 is in the second position, the first end of the leg is extended or not adjacent the frame 15 as seen in FIG. 6. The ability to move the leg 16 between a collapsed position and an extended position allows the platform 14 to be more easily moved and stored when not in use because the platform takes up less space when in the collapsed position.

[0021] In the embodiment seen in FIG. 5, the leg 16 of the platform 14 is attached to the frame 15 by at least one hinge bracket 28. In one embodiment, the hinge bracket 28 has a ‘T’ shape. The longitudinal trunk 30 of the hinge bracket 28 has a hole 32 formed therethrough sized to receive a pole 18. A first end 34 of the vertical trunk 36 of the hinge bracket 28 is attached to the longitudinal trunk 30 by a hinge 38 and the second end 40 of the vertical trunk has an opening 42 sized to receive one end of the leg 16. The angle of the board 10 and height of the first end of the board can be adjusted by moving the hinge bracket 28 along the poles 18 or by adjusting the amount the leg is extended way from the frame 15.

[0022] In the embodiment seen in FIG. 5, the leg 16 has a ‘U’ shape. The leg 16 has a pair of elbow brackets 46. Each end of the longitudinal pole 48 is received by one of the pair of elbow brackets 46. One end of each of a pair of foot poles 50 is also received by one of the pair of elbow brackets 46. The other end of the pair of foot poles 50 is received by the opening 42 of one of the hinge brackets 28.

[0023] A brace pole 52 can be added to the frame 15 to increase support to and decrease the trampoline effect of the target 12. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 4, each of the long sides of the frame 15 has a brace bracket 54. The brace bracket 54 seen in FIG. 7 has a has a ‘T’ shape with each end of the ‘T’ shaped bracket having an opening 56 sized to receive a pole 18. Two of the openings 56 are sized to receive the frame poles 18 and one of the openings 56’ is sized to receive a brace pole 52. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 7, the openings are sized to receive one end of a pole. However, the brace bracket 54 could have a longitudinal trunk like the hinge bracket 28 with a hole 32 formed therethrough sized to slide onto a frame pole 18 without defeating the spirit of the invention.

[0024] Although the platform 14 is shown in FIGS. 2-7 as being formed from tubular poles attached to brackets, some or all of the poles and brackets could be integrally formed, without defeating the spirit of the invention.

[0025] In one embodiment, the platform 14 is made from a plastic material, such as polypropylene; however, other materials such carbon fiber, composites, metals, polyethylene, including high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, among other plastic materials could be used without defeating the spirit of the invention.

[0026] The use of a plastic hollow body decreases the weight of the platform 14 providing for easier setup and take down, portability and storage. The decrease of the weight of the platform 14 allows for cost savings by using less materials and less shipping costs.

[0027] The target 12 includes straps 60 that are used to attach the target to the platform 14. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 2, the target 12 has a strap 60 at each corner. In one embodiment the strap 60 is made from a woven polyester elastic webbing material. However, other materials known in the industry, such as canvas, rubber, natural fiber, etc., could be used without defeating the spirit of the invention.

[0028] The end of the strap 60 includes a clip 62. As seen in FIG. 9, the clip 62 has a slot 64 sized to receive a tab 66 on the corner bracket 20. The target 12 is attached to the platform 14 by wrapping the strap around the top side of the corner bracket 20 to the underside and locating the tab 66 in the slot 64 of the clip. The straps 60 may be sized slightly smaller than the length required to locate the tab 66 in the slot 64 such that the strap must stretch to do so. In stretching, additional tension is applied to the target to more securely attach the target 12 to the platform 14. Although the strap 60 and clip 62 are shown in FIG. 9 as two separate components, the strap and clip could be included in a single component without defeating the spirit of the invention.

[0029] In one embodiment, the corner bracket 28 includes a groove 67 sized to receive the strap 60. The groove 67 helps prevent the strap 60 from sliding off of the bracket, such as, for example, when a bag lands on the target 12.

[0030] The target 12 seen in FIG. 1, can be made from a polyester fabric material. However, other materials known in the industry, such as woven or non-woven, nylon, vinyl, other plastic, natural fiber, etc., could be used without defeating the spirit of the invention.

[0031] In one embodiment, the target 12, includes a top layer 68, as seen in FIG. 10, and a bottom layer 70, as seen in FIG. 11, that are attached together such as by stitching, although others methods known in the industry could be used to attach two layers, such as, for example welding, glueing, fastening, etc., without defeating the spirit of the invention. In one embodiment, a number of compartments 72 are created between the first and second layers, for example, the top layer 68 and a bottom layer 70, such as by stitching. Each of the compartments 72 holds an insert 74. In one embodiment the inserts are made from a corrugated carboard with polypropylene wrap material. However, other materials known in the industry, such as cardboard, corrugated plastic, fiberglass, laminate board, metal, etc. could be used without defeating the spirit of the invention. The use of inserts 74 in compartments 72 reduces the bounce and trampoline effect when projectiles land on the target 12 and allow the bag toss game to play more like a traditional wood bag toss game. The projectiles most often used with such targets and platforms are bags, such as bean bags, however other projectiles are known in the art, such as for example, balls, dice, washers, etc., the use of which would not defeat the spirit of the invention.

[0032] The target 12 has a hole 76 formed therethrough sized to permit bags 78 to pass through. In some games, points are scored when a bag 78 passes through the hole 76 in the target 12. In one embodiment, the compartments 72 and inserts 74 are shaped to conform to the features of the target. For example, as seen in FIG. 10, the compartment 72 and insert 74 on each side of the hole 76 have arcuate sides to allow room for the hole. Similarly, the compartment 72 and insert 74 below the hole 76 have small arcuate notches to allow room for the hole. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 10, the top and bottom compartments 72 and inserts 74 have an angled corners that allows the strap 60 to be more accessible.

[0033] In the embodiment seen in FIG. 10, the compartments 72 of the target 12 are spaced from one another. The use of a fabric material for the top layer 68 and a bottom layer 70 and spacing between compartments allows the target 12 to be folded up like an accordion.

[0034] In one embodiment, the board 10 includes a selectively openable pocket 80 to store the bags 78. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 11, the pocket includes a flap 82 that may be selectively attached to the base of the pocket such as by at least one fastener 84, such as hook and loop material. However, other materials known in the industry for selectively attaching a flap, such as, for example, snaps, buttons, zippers, press-to-seal, a tab and slot, etc., the use of which would not defeat the spirit of the invention. In one embodiment, the pocket 80, is attached to the underside or bottom of the target 12, such as, for example be being sown to the bottom layer 70.

[0035] The ability to selectively connect the poles and connectors, such as, for example, poles 18, 48, 50 and connectors 20, 28, 46, and to fold the target 12, allows the bag toss game 10 to be more easily moved and stored when not in use because the platform 14 and target 12 take up less space when the pieces of the platform 14 are selectively disconnected and the target 12 is disconnected from the platform and folded up. This allows the bag toss game 10 to be stored in a more compact manner that takes up less space for storage, but also requires less space and less packaging during shipping both in the manufacturing phase and also when being sent to customers. This allows for cost savings in shipping costs and packaging costs. The smaller size of the bag toss game when packaged also permits more units to be located at a distribution center in the same amount of space that a traditional bag toss games would require as well as shelf space at brick and motor stores.

[0036] Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.

Claims

1. A game comprising:a board, the board further comprising:a platform; anda target having a hole formed therethrough, the target selectively attached to the platform;wherein the target further comprises a first layer attached to a second layer to form a plurality of pockets;wherein an insert is located in each of the plurality of pockets;wherein the plurality of compartments are formed in the target such that there is a space between each one of the plurality of compartments;wherein the target may be moved between an expanded position in which the target is attached to the platform and a collapsed position in which the target is folded;wherein when the target is in the collapsed position, the target is folded at the space between each one of the plurality of compartments; anda plurality of projectiles configured to be thrown at the target.

2. The game of claim 1, further comprising a pocket attached to the target; wherein the plurality of projectiles are a plurality of bags and the pocket is configured to store the plurality of bags.

3. The game of claim 2, wherein the pocket has a flap and wherein the flap is selectively attachable to the pocket by at least one fastener.

4. The game of claim 1, wherein the target has at least one strap and the target is selectively attached to the platform by the at least one strap.

5. The game of claim 4, wherein one end of the strap has a clip;wherein the platform has a tab; andwherein the target is selectively attached to the platform when the tab is located in a slot of the clip.

6. The game of claim 5, wherein the tab is located on the underside of the platform.

7. The game of claim 4, wherein when the target is selectively attached to the platform by the at least one strap, the at least one strap wraps around a portion of the platform.

8. The game of claim 7, wherein the platform has a groove and when the target is selectively attached to the platform by the at least one strap, the at least one strap is located in the groove.

9. The game of claim 5, wherein the at least one strap is a strap at each corner of the target.

10. The game of claim 4, wherein when the target is selectively unattached to the platform, the strap is a first length;wherein when the target is selectively attached to the platform, the strap is a second length and tension is applied the target by the strap; andwherein the first length is shorter than the second length.

11. The game of claim 1, wherein the insert is configured to reduce a trampoline effect of the target when a bag from the plurality of projectiles is thrown and lands on the target.

12. A game board comprising:a frame;a leg attached to the frame;a target having a hole configured to permit bags to pass through the target, the target selectively attached to the frame;wherein the frame further comprises:a plurality of brackets; anda plurality of poles selectively attached to the brackets;wherein the leg is attached to the frame by at least one hinge such that the leg may be moved between an expanded position in which one end of the leg is remote the frame and a collapsed position in which the one end of the leg is adjacent the frame.

13. The game board of claim 12 wherein the frame further comprises a brace.

14. The game board of claim 13 wherein a first one of the plurality of brackets is a first brace bracket and a second one of the plurality of brackets is a second brace bracket and wherein the brace is attached to the first brace bracket and second brace bracket.

15. The game board of claim 14 wherein the at least one hinge comprises a first hinge bracket and a second hinge bracket;wherein an opening formed in the first hinge bracket is configured to receive the leg; andwherein an opening formed in the second hinge bracket is configured to receive the leg.

16. The game board of claim 15 wherein the first hinge bracket has a second opening configured to slidably receive one of the plurality of poles and the second hinge bracket has a second opening configured to slidably receive another one of the plurality of poles.

17. The game board of claim 13 wherein one of the plurality of brackets is a corner bracket and wherein the corner bracket and wherein the corner bracket has a first opening configured to receive one of the plurality of poles and the second opening configured to receive another one of the plurality of poles.

18. The game board of claim 17 wherein the frame further comprises four corner brackets.

19. A game comprising:a board, the board further comprising:a frame, the frame further comprising:a plurality of brackets; anda plurality of poles selectively attached to the brackets;a leg attached to the frame by a hinge such that the leg may be moved between an expanded position in which one end of the leg is remote the frame and a collapsed position in which the one end of the leg is adjacent the frame;a target having a hole formed therethrough, the target selectively attached to the frame;wherein the target further comprises a first layer attached to a second layer to form a plurality of pockets;wherein an insert is located in each of the plurality of pockets;wherein the plurality of pockets are formed in the target such that there is a space between each one of the plurality of pockets;wherein the target may be moved between an expanded position in which the target is attached to the frame and a collapsed position in which the target is folded;wherein when the target is in the collapsed position, the target is folded at the space between each one of the plurality of pockets; anda plurality of bags configured to be thrown at the target.

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