Apparatus for playing a game and method

Abstract

An apparatus for playing a game includes a first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color and a second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand. A base stand that supports a plurality of vertically oriented channels each configured to hold and display a column of the spherical game-pieces. A funnel is affixed to the base stand that is configured to receive a thrown game-piece, and to direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels. A storage container may be located under the plurality of vertical channels configured to receive and store the game-pieces. The apparatus for playing a game is useful for playing a game with at least one participant.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising:
 a first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color ( 110 ), each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand;   a second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color ( 120 ), each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand; and   a base stand ( 130 ) configured to rest upon a substantially horizontal surface, the base stand having a top and a bottom, relative to the substantially horizontal surface;   a plurality of vertically oriented channels ( 140 ) affixed to the base stand, each configured to hold and display a column of a portion of the first plurality of the spherical game-pieces, a portion of the second plurality of spherical game-pieces, or any combination thereof, each of the plurality of vertically oriented channels having an upper end and a lower end, relative to the base stand, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the first plurality of the spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel; and   a funnel ( 150 ) affixed to the base stand, said funnel configured to receive a thrown game-piece, and to direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage container configured to contain both the first plurality of spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces together. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the storage container is sized and dimensioned to contain at least twenty-four  3  inch diameter balls. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertically oriented channels are aligned substantially in a plane; and
 wherein the funnel includes a forward ramp, a rear ramp, and two sidewalls, the forward ramp and the rear ramp extending upward from the upper ends of plurality of vertically oriented channels and away from each other relative to the plane of the plurality of vertically oriented channels, the two sidewalls extending between the forward ramp and the rear ramp, with one of the two sidewalls extending upward from the upper end of a first of the plurality of vertically oriented channels aligned in the plane, and the other of the two sidewalls extending upward from the upper end of a last of the plurality of vertically oriented channels aligned in the plane, the forward ramp, the rear ramp, and the two sidewalls together configured to circumscribe the upper ends of plurality of vertically oriented channels.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the funnel includes a frame configured to define edges of the funnel, and a netting material extending between the edges of the frame configured to receive and direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color are tennis balls. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color each have diameter of three inches. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color are ping-pong balls. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color each have a diameter of one-and-a-quarter inches. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertically oriented channels includes seven vertically oriented channels. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of vertically oriented channels includes a viewing slot vertically disposed along the vertically oriented channel, and configured such that the contents of the vertically oriented channel are visible. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base stand comprises a self-supporting stand having a display side and a supporting side, the self-supporting stand configured such that the display side and the supporting side are disposed at an acute angle relative to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertically oriented channels are aligned substantially in a plane, said plane at an incline relative to the substantially horizontal surface, the plurality of vertically oriented channels being located on an upward facing side of the base stand with respect to the substantially horizontal surface and said plane. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base stand is made of wood. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each lower end of the plurality of vertically oriented channels has a closed position and an open position, and is further configured to release its respective column by opening from the closed position to the open position, permitting passage of its respective column. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a storage container configured to contain both the first plurality of spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces together, the storage container sized and dimensioned to contain at least twenty-four 3 inch diameter balls, and to fit beneath the plurality of vertically oriented channels and receive the first plurality of spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces when the each lower end of the plurality of vertically oriented channels is opened from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising:
 a first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color, each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand;   a second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand; and   a base stand configured to rest upon a substantially horizontal surface, the base stand having a top and a bottom, relative to the substantially horizontal surface;   a plurality of vertically oriented channels affixed to the base stand, each configured to hold and display a column of a portion of the first plurality of the spherical game-pieces, a portion of the second plurality of spherical game-pieces, or any combination thereof, each of the plurality of vertically oriented channels having an upper end and a lower end, relative to the base stand, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the first plurality of the spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel; and   a funnel affixed to the base stand, said funnel configured to receive a thrown game-piece, and to direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels;   further comprising a storage container configured to contain both the first plurality of spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces together;   wherein the storage container is sized and dimensioned to contain at least twenty-four 3 inch diameter balls;   wherein the plurality of vertically oriented channels are aligned substantially in a plane; and   wherein the funnel includes a forward ramp, a rear ramp, and two sidewalls, the forward ramp and the rear ramp extending upward from the upper ends of plurality of vertically oriented channels and away from each other relative to the plane of the plurality of vertically oriented channels, the two sidewalls extending between the forward ramp and the rear ramp, with one of the two sidewalls extending upward from the upper end of a first of the plurality of vertically oriented channels aligned in the plane, and the other of the two sidewalls extending upward from the upper end of a last of the plurality of vertically oriented channels aligned in the plane, the forward ramp, the rear ramp, and the two sidewalls together configured to circumscribe the upper ends of plurality of vertically oriented channels;   wherein the funnel includes a frame configured to define edges of the funnel, and a netting material extending between the edges of the frame configured to receive and direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels;   wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color are tennis balls;   wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color each have diameter of three inches;   wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color are ping-pong balls;   wherein the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of the first color and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of the second color each have a diameter of one-and-a-quarter inches;   wherein the plurality of vertically oriented channels includes seven vertically oriented channels;   wherein each of the plurality of vertically oriented channels includes a viewing slot vertically disposed along the vertically oriented channel, and configured such that the contents of the vertically oriented channel are visible;   wherein the base stand comprises a self-supporting stand having a display side and a supporting side, the self-supporting stand configured such that the display side and the supporting side are disposed at an acute angle relative to each other;   wherein the plurality of vertically oriented channels are aligned substantially in a plane, said plane at an incline relative to the substantially horizontal surface, the plurality of vertically oriented channels being located on an upward facing side of the base stand with respect to the substantially horizontal surface and said plane;   wherein the base stand is made of wood;   wherein each lower end of the plurality of vertically oriented channels has a closed position and an open position, and is further configured to release its respective column by opening from the closed position to the open position, permitting passage of its respective column;   further comprising a storage container configured to contain both the first plurality of spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces together, the storage container sized and dimensioned to contain at least twenty-four 3 inch diameter balls, and to fit beneath the plurality of vertically oriented channels and receive the first plurality of spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces when the each lower end of the plurality of vertically oriented channels is opened from the closed position to the open position;   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising set of instructions; and
 wherein the apparatus is arranged as a kit.   
     
     
         19 . A method of playing a game with a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus for playing a game comprising a first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color, each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand, a second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, each sized and dimensioned to be thrown by hand, and a base stand configured to rest upon a substantially horizontal surface, the base stand having a top and a bottom, relative to the substantially horizontal surface, a plurality of vertically oriented channels affixed to the base stand, each configured to hold and display a column of a portion of the first plurality of the spherical game-pieces, a portion of the second plurality of spherical game-pieces, or any combination thereof, each of the plurality of vertically oriented channels having an upper end and a lower end, relative to the base stand, each upper end configured to individually receive at least one of the first plurality of the spherical game-pieces and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces, each lower end configured to support a respective column by preventing passage of a bottom game-piece from a respective channel, and a funnel affixed to the base stand, said funnel configured to receive a thrown game-piece, and to direct the thrown game-piece into the upper end of one of plurality of vertically oriented channels;   throwing one of the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color, and alternatively the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, into the funnel such that the one of the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color, and alternatively the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, is directed into one of the plurality of vertically oriented channels, the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color corresponding to a first player and alternatively a first team, and the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color corresponding to a second player and alternatively a second team;   repeating the process of throwing one of the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color, and alternatively the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color, into the funnel, alternating turns between the first player and alternatively the first team, and the second player and alternatively the second team, until a victor is determined; and   determining the first player and alternatively the first team as the victor if the first plurality of spherical game-pieces of a first color comprise a row of four as arrayed in the plurality of vertically oriented channels, and alternatively determining the second player and alternatively the second team as the victor if the second plurality of spherical game-pieces of a second color comprise a row of four as arrayed in the plurality of vertically oriented channels, wherein the row of four comprises four adjacent spherical game-pieces of the same color in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation.