Throwing game apparatus & method

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a throwing game, including: a throwing game apparatus having a planar base, an annular periphery extending upwardly from the planar base, and three receptacles positioned in a linear array and disposed within a distal one-half of the planar base, among other distinguishing features; and a method for playing a throwing game using the throwing apparatus, as well as a kit including the throwing game apparatus, throwing objects, and instructions for playing a game.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A throwing game apparatus, comprising:
 a planar base configured to be elevated above a floor;   an annular periphery disposed along a perimeter of the planar base and extending upwardly therefrom;   a plurality of apertures configured in a linear array and each positioned within a distal one-half of the planar base;   two or more legs extending from the planar base and configured to contact the floor, wherein the planar base is elevated above the floor;   a first hinge coupled between a first leg of the two or more legs and the annular periphery;   a second hinge coupled between a second leg of the two or more legs and the annular periphery, wherein the first and second hinges are disposed at opposite ends of the throwing game apparatus;   a fabric layer, the fabric layer covering each of: the planar base and at least one surface of the annular periphery;   a handle coupled to the annular periphery, wherein the handle is adapted to enable portable carry of the throwing game apparatus;   further characterized by:   each of the plurality of apertures further comprising a receptacle body engaged therewith, the receptacle body being configured to hold one or more throwing objects within a volume of the receptacle body;   each of the apertures having a diameter (D′) associated therewith;   a gap disposed between each of the apertures, wherein the gap comprises a distance between 0.25 and 1.0 times the diameter of the apertures;   the annular periphery extending upwardly from the planar base at a height (H′), wherein the height is less than or equal to the diameter of the apertures; and   the linear array of apertures being disposed along a longitudinal center of the planar base;   wherein the planar base is oriented at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane.   
     
     
         2 . A throwing game apparatus ( 100 ), comprising:
 a planar base ( 101 ) configured to be elevated above a floor;   an annular periphery ( 102 ) disposed along a perimeter of the planar base and extending upwardly therefrom;   a plurality of apertures ( 103 ) configured in a linear array ( 104 ) and each positioned within a distal one-half ( 105 ) of the planar base.   
     
     
         3 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising two or more legs ( 106 ) extending from the planar base and configured to contact the floor, wherein the planar base is elevated above the floor. 
     
     
         4 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 3 , comprising a first hinge ( 107 ) coupled between a first leg ( 108 ) of the two or more legs and the annular periphery. 
     
     
         5 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 3 , comprising a second hinge ( 109 ) coupled between a second leg ( 110 ) of the two or more legs and the annular periphery, wherein the first and second hinges are disposed at opposite ends of the throwing game apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , each of the plurality of apertures further comprising a receptacle body ( 114 ) engaged therewith, the receptacle body being configured to hold one or more throwing objects ( 115 ) within a volume of the receptacle body. 
     
     
         7 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 6 , each of the apertures having a diameter (D′) associated therewith. 
     
     
         8 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 7 , comprising a gap ( 116 ) disposed between each of the apertures, wherein the gap comprises a distance between 0.25 and 1.0 times the diameter of the apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 7 , the annular periphery extending upwardly from the planar base at a height (H′), wherein the height is less than or equal to the diameter of the apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the linear array of apertures is disposed along a longitudinal center of the planar base. 
     
     
         11 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a fabric layer ( 111 ), the fabric layer covering each of: the planar base and at least one surface ( 112 ) of the annular periphery. 
     
     
         12 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the planar base is oriented at an angle (A′) with respect to a horizontal plane ( 117 ). 
     
     
         13 . The throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle ( 113 ) coupled to the annular periphery, wherein the handle is adapted to enable portable carry of the throwing game apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . A throwing game kit, comprising the throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 , a plurality of throwing objects ( 115 ), and instructions for playing a game associated therewith. 
     
     
         15 . A method for playing a throwing game, comprising:
 providing the throwing game apparatus of  claim 2 ;   providing a plurality of throwing objects;   selecting one of two players to act as the first player for initiating play;   in a first round:
 the first player throwing its throwing objects with aim to land each of its throwing objects in one of the receptacles of the throwing game apparatus, and 
 the second player throwing its throwing objects with aim to land each of its throwing objects in one of the receptacles of the throwing game apparatus, 
 calculating a first-round score for each player, 
 wherein the first-round score is recorded as a cumulative score after the first round of play; and 
   in each subsequent round:
 beginning with the one of the first and second players having the highest cumulative score, or the first player as previously selected, throwing the throwing objects with aim to land each of the throwing objects in one of the receptacles of the throwing game apparatus, and 
 the other player throwing its throwing objects with aim to land each of its throwing objects in one of the receptacles of the throwing game apparatus, 
 calculating a round score, and 
 calculating a cumulative score; 
   if any of the first and second players exceeds a pre-determined scoring value, resetting that player's score to a default value that is less than the pre-determined scoring value;   wherein the throwing game ends upon one of the players achieving the pre-determined scoring value, and   wherein the first player to achieve the pre-determined scoring value wins the game.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the round score is calculated for each player in accordance with the function:
     S ( P )=Σ X [( N   P   >O ) x   *R   x ];
   wherein:   S(P) is the score for a given player of the first and second players,   Σ X  is the summation for each receptacle (X) of the throwing game apparatus,   (N P >O) x  is the number of the given player's throwing objects in excess of the other player's throwing objects landed in a respective receptacle,   R x  is the score associated with each net throwing object landed in the respective receptacle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cumulative score is calculated for each player as the sum of the current and all prior round scores. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of keeping score electronically using an application executed by a mobile wireless device.