Gaming apparatus and method of play

Abstract

A gaming apparatus is disclosed comprising: a. a top that includes an axially aligned gripping member extending from the upper surface of the body of the top and dimensioned to be held between the thumb and forefinger of a player, the body terminating in a contact point that supports the spinning top, the portion of the body above the contact point in an embodiment being generally conical and having a circular cross-section that tapers outwardly at least a predetermined distance along the axis of the top; b. a planar inclined receiving surface having an upper or elevated end onto which the player releases the spinning top at the commencement of play; c. a generally horizontal scoring zone that is joined to, and is contiguous with the lower end of the inclined receiving surface, the surface of the scoring zone being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart generally circular recessed openings, the openings being of the same or of different diameters that correspond to cross-sectional diameters taken along the axis of the body of the top above the contact point; and d. a continuous enclosing frame that surrounds the inclined receiving surface and the horizontal scoring zone that is configured and dimensioned to retain the spinning top in play and prevent it from leaving the inclined surface and the scoring zone.

1 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
 a. a top that includes an axially aligned gripping member extending from the upper surface of the body of the top and dimensioned to be held between the thumb and forefinger of a player, the body terminating in a contact point that supports the spinning top, the portion of the body above the contact point in an embodiment being generally conical and having a circular cross-section that tapers outwardly at least a predetermined distance along the axis of the top;   b. a planar inclined receiving surface having an upper or elevated end onto which the player releases the spinning top at the commencement of play;   c. a generally horizontal scoring zone that is joined to, and is contiguous with the lower end of the inclined receiving surface, the surface of the scoring zone being provided with a plurality of spaced-apart generally circular recessed receiving openings, the openings being of the same or different diameters that correspond to cross-sectional diameters taken along the axis of the body of the top above the contact point; and   d. a continuous enclosing frame the surrounds the inclined receiving surface and the horizontal scoring zone that is configured and dimensioned to retain the spinning top in play and prevent it from leaving the inclined surface and the scoring zone.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1  in which scoring value indicia are provided adjacent the respective circular openings. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1  in which the circular openings are of at least two different diameters. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1  that includes an enclosure mounted to a portion of the frame member and dimensioned and configured to define a storage compartment below the underside of the planar inclined receiving surface adapted to receive one or more tops during transportation and storage. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1  in which the upper end of the receiving surface includes indicia to demark a portion of the surface onto which the spinning top is to be released to initiate play. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , the principal structural elements of which are fabricated of wood.