Football passing game system

Abstract

The present invention provides a football passing game system. A target with a number of target zone apertures of various sizes is mounted on a stand which holds the target a distance away from a player position. A game player attempts to pass a football through one of the defined target zone apertures. At least one light sensor is mounted adjacent each of the target zones to detect the passage of a football through an aperture. An impact sensor is mounted to the target and detects if the football impacts the target instead of passing through a target zone aperture. When a signal is generated by a light sensor or the impact sensor, a controller mounted to the target detects the signal and calculates the corresponding change in the game status. The game status is displayed on an electronic display adjacent the target.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A football game system, comprising: 
 a) a target defining a plurality of target zone apertures;    b) a football;    c) a player position spaced apart from said target from where a player passes said football towards said target;    d) at least one light sensor mounted adjacent to each of said target zones, wherein each of said light sensors is configured to detect if said football enters one of said target zones and send a signal;    e) at least one impact sensor mounted to said target, wherein said impact sensor is configured to detect if said football impacts said target outside of one of said target zones and send a signal;    f) an electronic display;    g) an electronic controller configured to receive signals from each of said light sensors and said impact sensor and coupled to said electronic display to reflect the game status.    
     
     
         2 . The football game system of  claim 1  wherein said target is mounted adjacent a first end of said stand and said player position is located adjacent a second opposing end of said stand.  
     
     
         3 . The football game system of  claim 2  further comprising an apron mounted to said stand behind and extending forward underneath said target at a downward angle to receive said football after a pass and to return said football to said player position.  
     
     
         4 . The football game system of  claim 3  wherein said controller defines and controls the values for a plurality of variables according to the rules for defining the status of a football game, wherein said variables are defined from a selection of: each team's score, the team in possession, the quarter, the time remaining in the quarter, the current yard line, the current down, and the yards to go for a first down.  
     
     
         5 . The football game system of  claim 4  wherein the controller displays the current status of the game on said electronic display by displaying said plurality of variables.  
     
     
         6 . The football game system of  claim 5  wherein said controller detects input from said sensors to update said variables and said electronic display in response to a player passing said football.  
     
     
         7 . The football game system of  claim 5  further comprising a control mechanism operably connected to said controller, wherein said control mechanism allows a player to select the option of punting or attempting a field goal, and wherein a sensor detects the player's pass of said football to determine the distance of said punt or said field goal attempt.  
     
     
         8 . The football game system of  claim 7  further comprising an audible signal generator connected to said controller.  
     
     
         9 . The football game system of  claim 3  wherein each of said light sensors is comprised of an aligned light emitter and a light detector.  
     
     
         10 . The football game system of  claim 9  wherein said light emitter emits infrared light.  
     
     
         11 . The football game system of  claim 9  wherein said electronic display is comprised of a plurality of LEDs.  
     
     
         12 . The football game system of  claim 11  wherein said electronic display includes a line of LED's which are illuminated to correspond to the current team in possession and the current yard line.  
     
     
         13 . A projectile game system, comprising: 
 a) a target defining a plurality of target zone apertures;    b) a projectile;    c) a player position spaced apart from said target from where a player throws said projectile towards said target zone apertures;    d) at least one light sensor mounted adjacent to each of said target zones, wherein each of said light sensors is configured to detect if said projectile enters one of said target zones;    e) at least one impact sensor mounted to said target, wherein said impact sensor is configured to detect if said projectile impacts said target outside of one of said target zones;    f) an electronic display mounted adjacent said target.    
     
     
         14 . The projectile game system of  claim 13  further comprising an electronic controller configured to receive input from each of said light sensors and said impact sensor, and wherein said controller displays the game status on said electronic display.  
     
     
         15 . The projectile game system of  claim 14  wherein said electronic controller is controlled by logical rules corresponding to a game, and wherein said controller defines a plurality of variables corresponding to the game status.  
     
     
         16 . The projectile game system of  claim 15  wherein the game is football.  
     
     
         17 . The football game system of  claim 14  wherein each of said light sensors is comprised of an aligned light emitter and a light detector.  
     
     
         18 . The football game system of  claim 17  wherein said light emitter emits infrared light.  
     
     
         19 . The football game system of  claim 17  wherein said electronic display is comprised of a plurality of LEDs.  
     
     
         20 . A compact, modular football game system, comprising: 
 a) a plurality of tubular metal components connectable to form a stand;    b) a substantially flat target mountable to said stand and defining a plurality of target zone apertures;    c) at least one light sensor rigidly affixed to said target adjacent to each of said target zones;    d) at least one impact sensor affixed to said target;    e) an electronic display mountable to said target;    f) an electronic controller mountable to said target and operably connectable to each of said light sensors, said impact sensor and said electronic display.    
     
     
         21 . The compact, modular football game system of  claim 20  wherein said stand has a height of less than about seven feet.  
     
     
         22 . The compact, modular football game system of  claim 21  wherein said stand has a depth of less than about forty-five inches.  
     
     
         23 . The compact, modular football game system of  claim 22  wherein said target is mounted on said stand at a mounting position, wherein said stand has a front defining the minimum proximity of a player position, and wherein the distance from the mounting position to the front of said stand is about thirty-two inches.