Horseshoe game apparatus

Abstract

A horseshoe game apparatus comprises a backboard, a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard and a bin located below the horizontal stake. In one or more embodiments, at least one horseshoe holder extend from the backboard and hold one or more horseshoes. The backboard comprises a flexible or rigid backer, with each providing different game play dynamics. Various horseshoe games may be played with the horseshoe game apparatus. The horizontal stake is tapered in one or more embodiments to cause horseshoes to slide towards a tapered end of the horizontal stake.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A horseshoe game apparatus comprising:
 a backboard;   a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, the horizontal stake comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is adjacent the backboard; and   a bin secured below the horizontal stake;   wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned to allow one or more horseshoes to straddle the horizontal stake.   
     
     
         2 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard. 
     
     
         3 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a stop at the distal end of the horizontal stake. 
     
     
         4 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal stake is tapered with its narrower end being at the distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a top edge of the horizontal stake comprises a friction reducing surface. 
     
     
         6 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the backboard comprises a flexible backer. 
     
     
         7 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a transparent cover covering the backboard. 
     
     
         8 . A horseshoe game apparatus comprising:
 a backboard;   a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard, the horizontal stake comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the horizontal stake is tapered with its narrower end at the distal end;   a stop at the distal end of the horizontal stake, wherein the proximal end of the horizontal stake is adjacent the backboard;   a bin secured below the horizontal stake; and   one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard;   wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned to allow one or more horseshoes to straddle the horizontal stake.   
     
     
         9 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned such that it is greater in height than the length of the one or more horseshoes. 
     
     
         10 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein a top edge of the horizontal stake comprises a friction reducing surface. 
     
     
         11 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the backboard comprises a flexible backer. 
     
     
         12 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a transparent cover covering the backboard. 
     
     
         13 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the backboard comprises a backer attached to a frame. 
     
     
         14 . The horseshoe game apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the bin is at least partially suspended by one or more cables extending between the bin and the backboard. 
     
     
         15 . A method for playing a horseshoe game with a horseshoe game apparatus comprising:
 tossing one or more horseshoes at the horseshoe game apparatus, the horseshoe game apparatus comprising:
 a backboard; 
 a horizontal stake extending outward from the backboard; and 
 a bin beneath the horizontal stake; 
   scoring the one or more horseshoes based on whether they land in the bin or straddling the horizontal stake;   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising retrieving at least one of the one or more horseshoes from a tapered end of the horizontal stake. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising retrieving at least one of the one or more horseshoes from the bin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising removing the one or more horseshoes from one or more horseshoe supports extending outward from the backboard. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the horizontal stake is dimensioned such that it is greater in height than the length of the one or more horseshoes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the backboard comprises a flexible backer.