Rubber discs for child's game

Abstract

A gaming element is provided which allows a participant to bound from one element to another, even when placed some distance apart, while maintaining the following characteristics: (1) stays in place without slipping; (2) is soft enough to absorb some of the shock of landing; (3) is thick enough for the participant to feel upon landing that he has successfully completed or missed the bound; (4) is thin enough to negate the risk of injury due to failing to land squarely on the gaming element 20; and (5) is of appropriate size and shape to challenge the accuracy of the participant by accommodating only a portion of the foot.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming element for playing a physical fitness game where players bound from one element to another, the element for use in a game set having multiple elements, the element comprising: 
 a disc constructed of an elastomer to absorb shock, the disc having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface;    the top and bottom surfaces positioned generally parallel to one another, the side surface positioned generally perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces; and    the disc having a diameter to height ratio in the range of 9 to 19.    
     
     
         2 . The element of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter to height ratio is in the range of 11 to 16.  
     
     
         3 . The element of  claim 1 , wherein the two annular edges, defined by the intersection of the side surface with the top and bottom surface, are radiused.  
     
     
         4 . The element of  claim 1 , wherein both the top surface and the bottom surface have a gripping layer connected thereto.  
     
     
         5 . The element of  claim 4 , wherein each gripping layer is discontinuous.  
     
     
         6 . The element of  claim 4 , wherein each gripping layer includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the disc.  
     
     
         7 . The element of  claim 6 , wherein the projections are cylindrical.  
     
     
         8 . The element of  claim 6 , wherein each projection has a diameter between 3% and 5% of the diameter of the disc.  
     
     
         9 . The element of  claim 6 , wherein each gripping surface is integrally formed with the disc.  
     
     
         10 . The element of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has a durometer of between 35 and 55.  
     
     
         11 . A gaming element for playing a physical fitness game where players bound from one element to another, the element for use with a game set having multiple elements, the element comprising: 
 a disc constructed of an elastomer to absorb shock, the disc having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface;    the top and bottom surfaces positioned generally parallel to one another, the side surface positioned generally perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces; and    the top and bottom surfaces each defining a gripping surface having a plurality of projections projecting outwardly from the top and bottom surfaces.    
     
     
         12 . The element of  claim 11 , wherein the projections have a diameter of about ¼ inch.  
     
     
         13 . The element of  claim 11 , wherein the projections project outwardly about {fraction (1/16)}″.  
     
     
         14 . The elements of  claim 11 , wherein the projections are equidistantly spaced about the top and bottom surfaces.  
     
     
         15 . The element of  claim 11 , wherein the gripping surfaces further include indicia projecting outwardly from the top and bottom surfaces.  
     
     
         16 . The element of  claim 15 , wherein the indicia are larger than the projections.  
     
     
         17 . The element of  claim 15 , wherein the indicia on the bottom surface, relative the indicia on the top surface, is flipped about a horizontal axis extending through the disc.  
     
     
         18 . The element of  claim 15 , wherein the respective indicia of the top and bottom surfaces is identically viewed when either surface is facing upwards.  
     
     
         19 . The element of  claim 11 , wherein the disc has a diameter in the range of about 6 to 7 inches, and a height in the range of about ⅜ to ¾ inches.  
     
     
         20 . A method of playing a game having a set of gaming elements, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning the set of gaming elements on the ground in a series;    traversing the series of gaming elements by bounding from a current element to an adjacent element; and    scoring a point for each move from the current element to an adjacent element when the following conditions are met: 
 a) a participant may contact only one element at any given time;  
 b) a participant may have only one foot in contact with the one element; and  
 c) a participant may not touch the ground with any part of the body, including the foot in contact with the one element.  
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the following condition: d) a participant may not touch any other objects for support except for gaming elements.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the series of gaming elements are positioned in a circuitous course.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein there are an odd number of gaming elements.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the steps of traversing the series in the reverse direction upon completion of the traversing step.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the following condition: d) a participant must touch the toe of his/her free foot to the heel of the other foot positioned on the one element.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , furthering comprising the step of picking up at least one object positioned adjacent the series of gaming elements.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the following condition: d) a participant must touch the sole of his/her free foot with his/her hand before bounding to the adjacent element.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the following condition: d) a participant may not bound to the same element more than once.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the following condition: d) a participant may only traverse the series of discs for a predetermined amount of time.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the following condition: d) a participant must switch feet on the current element before proceeding to an adjacent element.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein each disc has a height to diameter ratio that challenges the accuracy of the participant while definitively indicating successful hops and minimizing risk of harm to the participant.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the disc is reversible such that either side of the disc may face upwards.