Floating receptacle and bag toss game

Abstract

A sturdy, transportable bean bag toss game intended for play in a shallow body of water. Floating receptacles are used as the targets and bags are tossed into the receptacles to score points. Game utilizes some of the principles of traditional corn hole bean bag toss game, with the intention to have a game that can be played in shallow bodies of water, including swimming pools, lakes, and rivers. Construction materials are lightweight, durable, easily transported, waterproof, and quick drying.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transportable bag toss game for use in a shallow body of water comprising:
 a. at least one tossing bag, and   b. a plurality of floating receptacles that tossing bag is thrown towards with the goal being to toss into the receptacle, and   c. bags are used as projectiles to be tossed at the floating receptacles   
     
     
         2 . Bags
 a. can be compromised of any type of material construction, and rot proof filling, and are not required to be waterproof   b. current design in prototype stage utilizes 4″ mini bean bags of canvas material and filled with recycled plastic pellets   c. tossing bags are commonly referred to as “bean bags”; however, rot proof filling must be used for this application and bean filling is not recommended   
     
     
         3 . Floating receptacles
 a. floating receptacle can be made of any material that is lightweight and able to float, although construction material for receptacle is not required to have ability to float, if additional material is added to receptacle to enable floatation   b. current design in prototype stage is constructed of ½″ I.D. (¾″ O.D.), schedule 40 pvc pipe that has been cut and joined together with 45 deg, schedule 40 pvc couplers secured with pvc glue   c. current design in prototype stage has attached to each receptacle 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam, with a ¾″ I.D. (2.25″ O.D.) to provide floatation   d. polyethylene foam is secured at 90 degree intervals, i.e. 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees   e. current design in prototype stage has the shape of floating receptacles as flat octagonal, but could take any geometric shape, as long as materials can be equipped to specifications allowing bags to be tossed into them.   f. Current design in prototype stage is comprised of rigid materials; however, any type of material composite can be utilized which could make the device flexible   g. Current design in prototype stage is not adjustable; however, there is potential to make the receptacles adjustable to allow consumers to change the shape or even the size of each or all of the receptacles   h. game consists of 2 each small receptacles with an approximate pvc inside diameter of 7.5″, with 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam that are 3″ in length   i. game consists of 2 each medium receptacles with an approximate pvc inside diameter of 12″ with 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam that are 5″ in length   j. game consists of 2 each large receptacles with an approximate pvc inside diameter of 17″ with 4 cylindrical pieces of polyethylene foam that are 7″ in length   k. 1″ nylon square mesh barrier netting is attached to pvc pipe which is used to catch bags tossed into the receptacles   l. Netting could have varying sizes of holes and function properly, as long as the holes are smaller than the bags being tossed   m. current design in prototype stage is constructed using 1″ nylon square mesh barrier netting, but other materials could be utilized for the net as well   n. Netting depth ranges from 12″ to 14″ and is sewn closed to form an enclosure to catch the bags   o. anchors are attached to the netting on each receptacle, allowing the receptacle to remain stationary in the water   p. current design in prototype stage utilizes a 10 ounce lead bank sinker as the anchor   q. any material could be used as the anchor, as long as the material is resistant to rust, and of proper weight to secure the receptacle without damaging the netting and can be secured to the leader   r. a ⅛″ nylon rope (leader), is attached to the bottom of the netting by a removable snap clip to secure the anchor   s. Rope leader distances anchor from netting by approximately 7″   t. floating receptacles and bag toss game is constructed and can be played with or without an anchor   u. utilizing game without an anchor would be a more challenging version for experienced players   v. game components can be manufactured in a variety of colors, prints and designs, including glow-in-the dark materials   w. current design in prototype stage does not include any lighting capabilities, but lights could be added in future designs, to allow for night play   x. if added, lights would need to be of waterproof material, preferably solar powered, and could be affixed as either one, or a multiple, to the receptacles or any component of the receptacles   y. all dimensions provided are approximate, and final product may vary slightly due to changes in material, and improvement of current prototype   
     
     
         4 . Game packaging
 a. The receptacles are designed to nest to minimize packaging materials required and be environmentally friendly. Tossing bags are placed within the receptacles. Packaging could be as small as 22″ square×4″ deep.   
     
     
         5 . Because this product is still in prototype stage, we claim under this patent any modification that does not result in a significant change to the concept of the game that we have invented. We further expand the definition of modification to be any change that does not substantially change the game, including the use of different construction materials, altering shapes, sizes, depth, width, or length, and changes to rules of play. For a change of concept to be valid, a new, novel, or non-obvious addition to the current invention must be proven. 
     
     
         6 . As this prototype moves to mass production to market and sell, the materials used may be updated to be more cost effective and/or accommodate mass production assembly lines. The concept of the floating receptacle bag toss game is the most important component of this patent, with less emphasis on the specific materials, shapes, sizes, and measurements to construct the game.