US20060027971A1

US20060027971A1 - Ball tossing game and method of play

Info

Publication number: US20060027971A1
Application number: US10/893,779
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymour Radhakrishnan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-16
Filing date: 2004-07-16
Publication date: 2006-02-09

Abstract

A game suited for all of those of legal drinking age. Game apparatus structure is in rectangular shape. The surface of the table has markings in which 10 included 16 oz cups are set up in a triangular format on each end of the table. Each cup is then filled with approximately 3 oz of beer, or drink of choice. In play, the game involves two competing ball tossers who attempt to throw a ball into each other's set of cups. When a player makes his ball into his opponent's cup, his opponent must remove the cup from the table and drink the fluid. Each tosser takes turns attempting to throw the ball into their opponent's cup. The person that successfully removes all of their opponent's cups is declared the winner. The loosing team must then drink all remaining fluid left in the winners cups before a new game can begin. Other rules are contemplated.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of social drinking games, and, in particular one that involves precision motor skills by the players involved.
2. Prior Art
While there are games that can be played while drinking, none are strictly focused around the actual act of drinking. There are no drinking games that incorporate an intensive amount of hand eye coordination to be successful. The only game that incorporates the use of Black lights during a game is Black light Volleyball, which was patented nearly three years ago and has no real similarities to our game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and apparatus for a group of people to engage in a tossing ball type game. The game is especially suited for people of legal drinking age because the normal drink of choice would be alcohol, but children can also enjoy it as long as appropriate measures are taken to ensure substitutes for alcohol are being used. The game apparatus is a table shaped in a rectangular format, which is foldable because of installed latches. The table is also fitted with detachable legs to support it.
The game apparatus includes all of the necessary features to allow this game to be pleasurable and hassle free. The playing surface is a clear material such as Plexiglas that has been grooved in the area in which the cups will be placed, thereby allowing any spilled liquid to be drained away so the cups can be properly positioned. Proper set up for the game entails a triangle set up of 10 cups on each end of the table. Hash marks on the table signify where the cups are supposed to go. Approximately three ounces of liquid should be placed in each of the cups.
In play, the game generally involves two people. Players will take turns tossing the ball into their opponent's cup. Every time a shooting team gets a ball in the receiver's cup then the receiver must remove the cup from the table and drink the liquid inside. When a player successfully shoots the ball in all of his opponent's cups, leaving the opponent with no cups in front of him and nothing left to drink, he will be declared the winner. The player who lost then has to drink all of the fluid left in the remaining cups the winner has in front of him.
The game uses a set of black lights that are placed strategically around the perimeter of the playing surface to illuminate the fluorescent materials that are used in the game. Items such as the encasement, cups, hash marks on the playing surface, the balls being used, and, possibly, the clothing of the players are coated with fluorescent material to enable them to be illuminated under the black lighting.
The main object of the method of play and apparatus is to provide a game in which subjects can socialize while being active with their hands and eyes in a controlled, entertaining environment.
Another object of the invention is to provide a game as above which is flexible in the number of players who may reasonable enjoy playing all at once.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an engaging game that may be played in a dark environment.
Another objective is to provide a lighting environment that would be visually entertaining not only to the players but also the spectators enjoying the sport.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a game, which immediately identifies participants with superior hand eye coordination during the playing of the game.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of people playing the ball tossing type game of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of invention featuring all of the cups required to play in their respective places and outlining where the “blacklights” are to be placed.
FIG. 3. is a top perspective view of invention without all of the cups required to play, exposing the grooves in which the surface has been fitted with as well as the proximity sensors for the cups.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the game apparatus in its folded position in preparation for transportation or storage. Also included in the figure are the four detachable legs that are not used when table is in the folded state.
FIG. 5 is a front view when the table is in its folded position, showing the latches that support the table and allow it to fold into this position. Also included in the figure are the four detachable legs that are not used when table is in the folded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMODIMENTS

The present invention is a method and apparatus for a group of people to engage in a ball tossing type game. The game is especially suited for people of legal drinking age because the normal drink of choice would be alcohol, but children can also enjoy it as long as appropriate measures are taken to ensure substitutes for alcohol are being used. The game apparatus is a table shaped in a rectangular format, which is foldable with detachable legs.
The game apparatus includes all of the necessary features to allow this game to be pleasurable and hassle free. The device includes a foldable table that is encased with blacklights. The table when opened for play, is supported by four detachable legs that allow the surface to stand at a height of 2.5 feet. The playing surface is a clear material such as Plexiglas that has been grooved in the area in which the cups will be placed, thereby allowing any spilled liquid to be drained away so the cups can be properly positioned. Proper set up for the game entails a triangle set up of 10 cups on each end of the table. Hash marks on the table signify where the cups are supposed to go.
In play, the game generally involves two people. Each player will take turns shooting and receiving. Players will take turns shooting the ball into their opponent's cup. Every time a shooting team gets a ball in the receiver's cup then the receiver must remove the cup from the table and drink the liquid inside. When a player successfully shoots the ball in all of his opponent's cups, leaving the opponent with nothing left to drink, he is the designated winner. The loser then has to drink all of the fluid left in the remaining cups the winner has in front of him. A variety of other play methods and specific rules of play are contemplated.
Referring to FIG. 1. there is shown an environmental depiction of the inventive game apparatus of the present invention. Tosser X is attempting to throw the ball into his opponents Y cups. X and Y will take turns tossing the ball into each other's cups. Referring to FIG. 2 there is an aerial view of the game apparatus T. As shown, the cups C are set up in a triangular format with eight perimeter lights 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16 on one side; and eight more perimeter lights 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15 on the opposite side, each set of lights being of different colors. The four blacklights L are strategically positioned so as to light the playing surface as well as the surrounding environment.
Referring to FIG. 3 there is another aerial view of the game apparatus T. As shown the cups C have been removed from the table and proximity sensors R are exposed, controlled by switch S. Handles H are utilized when table is in folded state.
Referring to FIG. 4 there is a side perspective of the Table T in it's folded state. Handles H are utilized for transport, similar to a brief case. Outlet O is the source of power for proximity sensors, lights, and blacklights. Outlet O may be battery powered or connected to power sources through electric cords. Also shown are detachable legs G, used to support the table in it's open form.
Referring to FIG. 5 there is a front view of the Table T in its folded state. Latches E make table portable and give it the ability to open and close.
In operation, the table lights 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16; or the other set 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15: are not lit up until there are no cups remaining on their respective sides, triggered by the connected proximity sensors R and operated by switch S. When all of the cups on one side are removed triggering all of the proximity sensors, the lights respective to that side will be activated as well as a buzzer (not shown).
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the previous claims.

Claims

1. A game apparatus for playing ball tossing type game comprising:

a table surface having neon hash marks which designate area for cups

a table surface having grooved indents

a source of electrical power;

transparent encasement allowing light to pass through top surface to playing environment;

an electrical switch;

colored electrical lights activated by said switch; and

blacklights activated by said switch; and

proximity sensors activated by said switch; and

at least one tossing ball whereby, each of the players take turns tossing the ball into each other's cups, and wherein after a player successfully gets the ball in his opponent's cup the cup is removed from the playing surface activating the electrical proximity sensor.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising of proximity sensors activated by said switch.

3. The game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising of buzzer activated by said switch.

4. The game apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is a set of lights of different colors for each end of the table, differentiating one side of the table from the other.

5. A method of illuminating the surface area and environment with a set of black lights.

6. A method of playing a tossing ball game comprising:

Two players standing at opposite ends of the table with a total of 10 cups, set up in a triangular format in front of each player. Each cup is filled with approximately 3 oz of fluid. Each player takes turns tossing the ball into each other's cups.

Each time a player gets a ball in his opponent's cup, the opponent must remove the cup from the playing surface and drink the liquid in the cup.