Sliding Disc Game

Abstract

In a sliding disc game, a plurality of rigid discs is provided. The rigid discs having low friction with a sliding board surface. The sliding board surface is elongated, having a first end with a marked foul line, a short distance from the edge, and a second end which supports a plurality of rigid arch structures that form goals of varying point values. The players must slide the discs into the goals to score points. The apparatus may be made of finished wood in a first embodiment having a classic feel, or in a second embodiment having a more modern feel of rigid plastic, with embedded electronic sensors and an electronic display to provide automated scorekeeping.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sliding disc game apparatus comprising a board surface; said board surface being elongated; said board surface having a first end and a second end; a display; said display being rigid; said display being affixed to said board surface near said second end so as to be about upright relative thereto; a plurality of openings in said display; a plurality of goal regions; each of said openings defining one of said plurality of goal regions; embedded in said display above each of said openings an optical sensor; a plurality of discs; said discs being of low friction with said board surface; and said optical sensor being configured so as to detect the motion of one of said plurality of discs though that of said plurality of openings above which said optical sensor is embedded. 
     
     
         2 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a foul line; said foul line being applied to said first end of said board surface; a foul line optical sensor;
 said foul line optical sensor being configured to detect motion across said foul line at a height above said board surface that is larger than the height of any of said plurality of discs. 
 
     
     
         3 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said board surface is surrounded by an edge affixed thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said board surface is surrounded by an edge affixed thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface. 
     
     
         6 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface. 
     
     
         7 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface. 
     
     
         8 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said goal regions are divided by a plurality of dividers affixed to said board surface. 
     
     
         9 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         10 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         11 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         12 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         13 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         14 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         15 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button. 
     
     
         16 . The sliding disc game apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a scoreboard; said scoreboard being affixed to said display; a player button; said player button being affixed to said first end of said board surface; said display, said player button, said optical sensor, and said foul line optical sensor being in electronic communication with one another; and said scoreboard being configured so as to maintain a score based on detected motion by said optical sensor and said foul line optical sensor in combination with button presses being detected at said player button.