US20050051968A1

US20050051968A1 - Washer toss game

Info

Publication number: US20050051968A1
Application number: US10/700,226
Authority: US
Inventors: David Froesel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-13
Filing date: 2003-11-03
Publication date: 2005-03-10

Abstract

A washer toss game, incorporating a pair of housings, each is formed as a box for resting upon the ground, each box being integrally molded of a polymer, or other materials, having a perimeter wall around its periphery, and a central but integral sleeve extending upwardly from the center portion of the formed box. The sleeve extends upwardly from its base. A can, such as a metallic paint can, which has had its bottom removed, can be located within the sleeve, in an upright position, to furnish one method for scoring a bulls-eye, but the can may be removed and inverted, for providing an easier method for attaining a bulls-eye upon participation in this washer toss game.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATION APPLICATION

This non provisional patent application is based upon the provisional patent application under Ser. No. 60/425,806, which was filed on Nov. 13, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a myriad of developments relating to various types of toss games, that generally operate off the principle similar to that employed in the playing of what has been well know for ages, the game of horseshoes. Thus, the concept of having some distant goal, to which an item is tossed, whether it is the horseshoe, or a washer, is significantly old in the art. Hence, the current invention improves upon these concepts, and furnishes a greater challenge in the game of tossing washers, than heretofore provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates principally to a washer toss game, but one which is formed having goals or boxes that are integrally formed, but which can be manipulated to furnish a greater challenge to the participants, depending upon their skill and dexterity.
This invention includes a polymer formed box, which is integrally molded, having an outer peripheral rim which is the target into which the washers are thrown, in order to provide for a score in the participation of this washer toss game. Centrally of the integrally formed box, is an upstanding and integral sleeve, and into which a separate can may be inserted, to provide the bulls eye, for a higher numerical score, into which the participant seeks to toss the washer piece, when participating in this washer toss game. Essentially, the inner opening of the sleeve is designed to accommodate the insertion of a can, something akin or similar to a quart paint can, which functions for a variety of purposes when employed as the bulls-eye target for this game. Initially, when one of the washers is thrown from some distance and enters into the can, the loud metallic noise generated affords to the participants the excitement of having heard, and experienced, a bull eye toss in the playing of this game.
Secondly, the paint can fits snugly and contiguously within the integral center sleeve of the box, but the bottom of the can will have its based removed, either during manufacture, or through usage of a can opener, so that there are two diametrical dimensions laterally across each opening, at the top or the bottom of the can, that varies the skill required to deposit, upon tossing, one of the washers therein. For example, the standard paint can has a lip that extends inwardly, for approximately a three eighths inch (⅜″), so that the can opening may be four and three eighths inches (4⅜″), across its diameter, at its upper end. This may provide the most challenging configuration for the toss game when attempting to achieve a bulls-eye, or direct hit. On the other hand, when the can is inverted or reversed within its central sleeve, and the bottom of the can has been removed, the dimensions across the bottom of the open can, without the intervening lip, will be approximately five and three eighths inches (5⅜″) in diameter, which provides a little wider space for entrance of the washer, and for obtaining a bulls-eye, upon participation in this washer toss game.
In addition, the box of this invention, as previously alluded to, is an integrally formed or molded polymer, it is of one piece configuration, and is sturdy from the stand point of withstanding impact, particularly when rough handled, or when frequently encountering the impact of the washers, when tossed during playing of this game. In addition, the shell of the box is formed as to minimize the amount of polymer used in its molding, but still includes a variety of reinforcement, to add to the structural strength of the box, during its usage and handling.
It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide an integrally molded or formed box use with a washer toss game, but wherein the bulls-eye may be formed in a manner that it can be converted between an easily accessible bulls-eye, to a much more confined and difficult to attain bulls-eye, through inversion of the location of its centrally arranged can within the formed box. Still another object of this invention is to provide a washer toss box, incorporating an integral sleeve, and into which a can, or paint can, can be inserted, or reversed, depending upon the skilled desired and required for participation in this washer toss game.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a washer toss game in which its integrally molded box is provided with sufficient reinforcements as to withstand the impact of constant usage and handling.
These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the summary of the invention as provided herein, and upon undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the washer toss game of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the box of the washer toss game, with its centrally located can being removed, for reversal, in preparation for its usage;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the board of the washer toss game of this invention, and further showing the various reinforcements integrally molded within its structure, when formed;
FIG. 4 is an isometric view disclosing the bottom of the board of this washer toss game; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic display of the set up of the boxes and preparation for participation in this washer toss games, in addition to providing directions and point scoring achieved during play.

DESCRITION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In referring to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, therein is disclosed an isometric view of the polymer molded box 1 of this invention. As can be seen, it includes a series of side walls 2 through 5, which stand upright, and are integrally formed with a base 6, as can be noted. Extending centrally and integrally upwardly from the base 6 is the central sleeve 7. The central sleeve has a hollow opening, and is designed for accommodating in a reasonably snug fit one of the quart or other paint cans 8 which form the central region or bulls-eye for the game, when played. The entire structure of the box, with the exception of its held can, is integrally formed, preferably molded from a polymer, during its fabrication.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the box 1 is readily disclosed, and the internal cavity 9 for the central sleeve 7 is noted. The can 8 that fits within the sleeve, in a snug arrangement, is shown, in an exploded view, elevated from its mounting within the sleeve, as when used. Nevertheless, as can seen for the can 8, its upper lid 10, which is a standard type of rim that is provided in the structure of such a can, in order to usually accommodate the sealed mounting of the paint can lid thereon, is shown extending inwardly from the side walls of the can, and as a result, provides a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the wall 11 of the shown can. Hence, the dimensions of such a can, with its lid removed, but its lip exposed, as noted, is somewhere in the vicinity of four and three eighths inches (4⅜″). Thus, this provides a more confined space for entrance into the can, which reduces the effective dimensions for the achievement or attainment of a bulls-eye, when a participant throws a washer towards this box, during play.
On the other hand, the top or bottom of the paint can will have been previously removed. Under such conditions, the top or bottom of the can will have an opening equivalent to the diameter within the wall 11 of the shown can. That diameter may be in the vicinity of five and three eighths inches (5⅜″), which widens the entrance into the can, when it is inverted and relocated back into the sleeve 7. Under such conditions, it is easier to obtain a bulls-eye, upon the toss of a washer, when participating in this washer toss game.
FIG. 3 shows, as in hidden line, the various reinforcements that are provided within the housing 1, during its formation. As noted, the walls 2 through 5 are essentially spaced apart, having an outer wall 12 and an inner wall 13, around the entire perimeter of the box. As a result, reinforcement must be provided. Such reinforcement is furnished through the use of ribs, as at 14, there being a plurality of them furnished intermediate the said inner and outer side walls, to add structural strength to the formed walls. In addition, it can be seen that similar type of reinforcement, as at 15, is provided within the formed integral sleeve 7, of the structured housing. Furthermore, there is a bottom or base 16 formed of the box. It likewise is reinforced, at various locations, as can be noted from the ribs 17 radiating from the center of the formed housing. In addition, there are provided a series of apertures, as at 18, formed through the base 16, and generally arranged in alignment with the formed ribs 17, and through which nails or other fasteners may be used for securing the box to the ground, in preparation for usage.
FIG. 4 provides a similar view to that of FIG. 3, but in this instance, it is an isometric view looking up at the base 16 of the formed housing. The various apertures, as at 18, are also readily noted. And, the reinforcing ribs 17 provided upon the undersided of the base 16, are disclosed.
Thus, an integrally molded and formed box, structured of the housing as disclosed, provides a one piece unit readily available for usage when participating in the washer toss game of this invention. Only the can 8 need to be located within the central sleeve, and expose its opened upside, or opened bottom side, depending upon the skill desired and required for attaining a bulls-eye, during participating in the washer toss game of this invention.
FIG. 5 discloses the layout of the boxes, in preparation for playing the washer toss game. As noted, the boxes 1 are generally placed approximately twenty five feet (25′) apart. The primary points attained during participating in this game can be determined upon review of the point scoring available as illustrated. For example, a bulls-eye, or a washer thrown into the cup or can, may obtain a higher point level, such as five (5) points. A washer tossed into the box, but outside the cup or can, will obtain only two (2) points. A washer tossed outside of the box, but within a players shoe size around the box, may only obtain one (1) point. This is an example of the points variation provided upon participating in this game.
Generally, in the performance of this washer toss game, obviously, such as in horseshoes, you normally have two teams. One or two players may make up each team. The boxes are placed twenty five feet (25′) apart, in a straight line, and may or may not be nailed to the ground, to attain their stability. Each team has three washers. At each players turn, all three washers are thrown, consecutively. The thrown washers stay on the ground until the opponent has taken their turn, and then the point achievements are determined as calculated in the sequence as stated upon the attached FIG. 5.
Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure as provided herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this development, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention as defined. The depiction of this invention as shown in the drawings is set forth for illustrative purposes only.

Claims

1. A washer toss game comprising an integrally molded polymer box incorporating sidewalls, a base integrally molded with the side walls, an upstanding centrally arranged sleeve, integrally formed with the base, said sleeve having an opening therein sufficiently to accommodate the insertion of a container therein during usage, said container capable of being removed from said polymer molded box, thereby upon participating in the game, the user tosses washers at the box in an effort to obtain their entrance therein, and particularly and into the centrally positioned container.

2. The washer toss game of claim 1 wherein the centrally disposed container is formed of metal.

3. The washer toss game of claim 2 wherein said metal container is a paint can.

4. The washer toss game of claim 2 wherein the polymer molded box is polygonally shaped.

5. The washer toss game of claim 4 wherein the polygonal box is rectangular.

6. The washer toss game of claim 4 wherein the polygonal box is square.

7. The washer toss game of claim 6 wherein the square polymer molded box includes a series of four integrally formed sidewalls.

8. The washer toss game of claim 7 wherein each wall is a double formed wall, and integrally formed reinforcement provided between each of the doubly formed walls, to add to their strength during usage.

9. The washer toss game of claim 8 wherein the base includes bottom platform for the molded box, a series of reinforcement ribs integrally formed beneath the platform, and said reinforcement ribs providing reinforcement for the box when applied upon the ground and used for the washer toss game.

10. The washer toss game of claim 9 wherein there being an aperture formed through the base, and said aperture extending through the base formed platform and its reinforcement rib and provided for accommodating the insertion of a nail therein to affix the polymer molded box to the ground during usage.

11. The washer toss game of claim 10 wherein there is an aperture provided through the base platform and its rib, at each internal corner of the molded box, to accommodate a nail fastener therein to secure the box to the ground during usage.

12. The washer toss game of claim 1 wherein there are a pair of the polymer molded boxes used during participation in the washer toss game, said boxes being arranged approximately 25 feet apart and used for performing the game.

13. The washer toss game of claim 1 wherein the diameter of each container is approximately greater than five inches, and the diameter of the integrally formed central sleeve for the box is slightly greater than the diameter of said container to accommodate its insertion therein.