Tabletop Entertainment Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for amusement or entertainment that is portable and capable of being played in the confines of an indoor space. The apparatus employs a striking means to propel a projectile from a launching zone down a target surface and toward one or more targets. The invention can be adapted into either single player or multiplayer embodiments and is conducive to being played in crowded, noisy, and social environments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An entertainment apparatus, comprising:
 a target surface comprising a top face and a target region, wherein
 the target region further comprises one or more targets; 
 the one or more targets comprise one or more holes, gaps, notches, or combinations thereof in the top face of the target surface; and each of the one or more targets further comprise a diameter of between about ½ inch to about 1½ inches; 
   one or more launching zones, wherein each launching zone is configured to support a projectile; and   a striking means associated with each launching zone, wherein each striking means is configured to strike the projectile and propel the projectile from the launching zone toward the target region.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a striking means support structure associated with each striking means;
 the striking means support structure comprising two side supports and a top support that continues horizontally from one side support to an opposite side support.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the striking means comprises a striker block pivotally attached to the top support of the striking means support structure. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target surface further comprises two ends with a launching zone at each end and a single target region disposed near the center of the target surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target surface comprises four arms and four launching zones and a single target region disposed near the center of the target surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target region is disposed near the center of the target surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target region is disposed near an end of the target surface. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target surface extends upward from the launching zone at an angle from about 1° to about 45°. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the angle of the target surface is adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the target surface comprises outer edges and further comprises walls extending along the outer edges;
 wherein the walls comprise an interior face and an exterior face.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a transverse supporting member that extends horizontally from the interior face of one wall to the interior face of an opposite wall. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a base on which the target surface is mounted. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the base comprises a notch, hole, slot, or gap, wherein the notch, hole, slot, or gap extends longitudinally across a portion of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a projectile return mechanism configured to catch a projectile that falls through the one or more targets and further configured to allow the projectile to be returned to the front of the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more ramps. 
     
     
         19 . A method of propelling a projectile toward a target region on an entertainment apparatus comprising:
 receiving the entertainment apparatus, wherein the entertainment apparatus comprises:
 a target surface that further comprises the target region; wherein
 the target region further comprises one or more targets; 
 the one or more targets comprise one or more holes, gaps, notches, or combinations thereof in the top face of the target surface; and each of the one or more targets further comprise a diameter of between about ½ inch to about 1½ inches; 
 
 one or more launching zones; 
 a striking means support structure associated with each launching zone; and 
 a striking means coupled to each striking means support structure; 
   placing the projectile upon a top face of the one or more launching zones;   generating and storing potential energy within the striking means;   releasing the striking means such that the striking means is directed toward the launching zone, wherein the striking means strikes the projectile; thereby propelling the projectile from the launching zone toward the target region.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a striking means support structure associated with each striking means, wherein
 each striking means support structure further comprises two side supports and a top support that continues horizontally from one side support to an opposite side support; 
 each striking means comprises a striker block pivotally attached to the top support of its striking means support structure; and 
 pivoting the striker block in an upward direction generates the potential energy within the striking means.