Dart Game Using Beverage Cans

Abstract

A dart game has two target arrangements that are placed on a ground surface a substantial distance apart from each other. Each of the target arrangements includes a frame, a target panel, and a leg arrangement that inclines the target panel at an angle of less than 45 degrees. The target panel includes at least two apertures therein for receiving a beverage can and at least two can holders to support and hold the beverage cans. In play, opposing players or teams throw darts at the target panels in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface of the target panels or beverage cans disposed in the apertures.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dart game comprising:
 two target arrangements being configured to be placed on a ground surface a substantial distance apart from each other;   each of said target arrangements comprising a frame, a target panel being connected to said frame, and a leg arrangement;   said target panel having essentially the same outer dimensions and shape as said frame;   said leg arrangement being attached to one end of said frame or said target panel to prop up said frame and incline said target panel at an angle relative to the ground surface;   said target panel comprising at least two apertures therein;   each of said at least two apertures being substantially round and configured to receive a beverage can therein;   at least two can holders being attached to the bottom surface of said target panel and at said at least two apertures;   each of said at least two can holders being configured to support and hold a beverage can inserted in its corresponding aperture; and   two sets of darts configured to be thrown by two opposing players or teams at said target panels in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface of said target panels or beverage cans disposed in said at least two apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The dart game according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two can holders is configured to receive and hold a first type of beverage can and a second type of beverage can that is taller and thinner than the first type of beverage can. 
     
     
         3 . The dart game according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of said at least two can holders comprises:
 a first leg; 
 a second leg parallel to said first leg; and 
 a crosspiece disposed to connect said legs at the ends thereof; 
 said crosspiece having a width essentially similar to the diameter of the first type of beverage can to thereby space said first leg and said second leg apart a distance sufficient to permit insertion of the first type or the second type of beverage can therebetween; 
 said first leg comprises a first projection and said second leg comprises a second projection; 
 each of said first projection and said second projection is disposed a distance from said crosspiece and to project inwardly toward one another; and 
 said first and second projections are disposed apart from one another a distance sufficiently small to permit insertion of the second type of beverage can therebetween and to provide a bottom support to the first type of beverage can. 
   
     
     
         4 . The dart game according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 each of said first leg and said second leg having a length essentially similar to the height of the second type of beverage can such that said crosspiece supports the bottom of the second type of beverage can with the top portion of the second type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel; and   each of said first projection and said second projection is disposed such that said first projection and said second projection together support the bottom of the first type of beverage can with the top portion of the first type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel.   
     
     
         5 . The dart game according to  claim 4 , wherein each of said at least two can holders is pivotably attached to said target panel to permit:
 said at least two can holders to freely pivot to a vertical orientation regardless of inclination of said target panel; and   said at least two can holders to be pivoted flat against the bottom surface of said target panel in a storage position.   
     
     
         6 . The dart game according to  claim 5 , wherein each of said two target arrangements comprises at least two retaining pieces disposed on the bottom surface of said target panel and configured to hold said at least two can holders in the storage position. 
     
     
         7 . The dart game according to  claim 6 , wherein each of said leg arrangements comprises two legs pivotably attached to the bottom surface of their target panel to permit said legs to be pivoted toward said target panel and into a storage position within their frame. 
     
     
         8 . The dart game according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 each of said two target arrangements comprises a locking structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and   said locking structures are configured and disposed to releasably lock said two target arrangements together to form a single portable unit to be carried by a single user.   
     
     
         9 . The dart game according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 each of said two target arrangements comprises a handle structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and   said handle structures are configured and disposed to be manually gripped by a user to facilitate carrying by a single user.   
     
     
         10 . The dart game according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two can holders is pivotably attached to said target panel to permit:
 said at least two can holders to freely pivot to a vertical orientation regardless of inclination of said target panel; and   said at least two can holders to be pivoted flat against the bottom surface of said target panel in a storage position.   
     
     
         11 . The dart game according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said two target arrangements comprises at least two retaining pieces disposed on the bottom surface of said target panel and configured to hold said at least two can holders in the storage position. 
     
     
         12 . The dart game according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said leg arrangements comprises two legs pivotably attached to the bottom surface of their target panel to permit said legs to be pivoted toward said target panel and into a storage position within their frame. 
     
     
         13 . The dart game according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said two target arrangements comprises a locking structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and   said locking structures are configured and disposed to releasably lock said two target arrangements together to form a single portable unit to be carried by a single user.   
     
     
         14 . The dart game according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said two target arrangements comprises a handle structure disposed on an outer surface of said frame; and   said handle structures are configured and disposed to be manually gripped by a user to facilitate carrying of said two target arrangements.   
     
     
         15 . A method of playing a dart game according to  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 placing said two target arrangements on a ground surface a substantial distance apart from each other; 
 extending said leg arrangement and propping up one end of said frame and thereby inclining said target panel at an angle relative to the ground surface in a range of 5-45 degrees or 5-30 degrees; 
 placing a beverage can through each of said apertures into each of said at least two can holders; and 
 each opposing player or team standing adjacent one of said two target arrangements and then taking turns throwing darts at said target panel of the opposing one of said two target arrangements in an attempt to score points by piercing the top surface of said target panels or beverage cans. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said step of placing a beverage can through each of said apertures into each of said at least two can holders comprises placing one of: a first type of beverage can and a second type of beverage can that is taller and thinner than the first type of beverage can. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said step of placing a first type of beverage can comprises inserting the first type of beverage can into one of said at least two can holders until the bottom of the first type of beverage can rests against at least two projections projecting inwardly from the sides of its can holder and disposed a distance from a corresponding aperture that is similar to the height of the first type of beverage can to place the top of the first type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel; and   said step of placing a second type of beverage can comprises inserting the second type of beverage can into one of said at least two can holders past said at least two projections until the bottom of the second type of beverage can rests against the bottom of its can holder to place the top of the second type of beverage can at or essentially flush with the top surface of said target panel.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said method further comprises switching between the first type of beverage can and the second type of beverage can during a dart game and thereby altering the characteristics of the dart game for the opposing players or teams. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said method further comprises:
 completing use of said dart game;   preparing each of said two target arrangements for transport by:
 pivoting said at least two can holders against the bottom surface of said target panel in a storage position; 
 clasping said at least two can holders in said storage position using at least two retaining pieces disposed on the bottom surface of said target panel; and 
 pivoting two legs of said leg arrangement toward said target panel in a storage position. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said method further comprises:
 aligning said frames of said two target arrangements with the bottom surfaces of said target panels facing one another to form a single portable unit with said legs and said at least two can holders stored therein;   releasably locking said two target arrangements together using locking structures disposed on an outer surface of each of said frames; and   manually gripping and carrying said single portable unit using a handle structure disposed on an outer surface of at least one of said frames.