Illuminated ball toss game   

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/233,635, filed Aug. 13, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to games that involve throwing or tossing a missile at a target in order to score points by entangling the target with the missile. These types of games are known using various types of missiles, such as horse shoes or bolas. The game uses a target that is appropriate to the type of missile being used, such as vertical posts.

One type of tossing game uses a missile made of two weighted balls attached together by a short length of rope or cord to make a bola. The target is a pair of vertical uprights supported by a base. Horizontal bars are supported between the two uprights at three different heights. This provides a target that appears like a wide ladder. In play, a player stands at least a specified minimum distance from the target and throws the bola, attempting to hang the bola on one of the horizontal bars.

Tossing games are often played outdoors. Normally, play can only continue when there is sufficient light to see the target and the bolas. It would be desirable to provide an improved ladder golf game.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to a ball toss game. The ball toss game includes a target that includes a first upright and a second upright. A base is adapted to support the first upright and the second upright and a cross piece is supported by the first upright and the second upright. The ball toss game includes an electrically powered light source located inside the target. The electrically powered light source is configured to illuminate a portion of the target such that light from the light source is visible through the illuminated portion. A switch is configured to be operable to turn the light source on and off. The ball toss game also includes a projectile adapted to be thrown at the target. The projectile includes two weights joined by a flexible member.

This invention also relates to a ball toss game. The ball toss game includes a target including a first upright and a second upright. A base is adapted to support the first upright and the second upright and at least one cross piece is supported by the first upright and the second upright. The target includes a first toe line supported by the base and a first toe line light configured to illuminate a portion of the first toe line. A switch is configured to be operable to turn the first toe line light on and off.

This invention also relates to a ball toss game. The ball toss game includes a target and an illuminated bola for use with the target. The illuminated bola includes a first weight and a second weight tethered together by a cord. The illuminated bola also includes a first bola light source adapted to be retained within the first weight and to illuminate a portion of the first weight. A switch is adapted to allow the first bola light source to be turned on and turned off.

Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated target for a ladder-type ball toss game.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the cross pieces of the target shown in FIG. 1, shown partially disassembled.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illuminated bola for use with a ball toss game.

FIG. 4 is an elevational, schematic view, taken from the front, of the target shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an elevational, schematic view, taken from the front, of a target showing an alternative configuration for providing power to the light sources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a perspective view of an illuminated target, indicated generally at 10, suitable for use for a ball toss or bola toss game. The target 10 includes a first upright, indicated generally at 12, and a second upright, indicated generally at 14. The first upright 12 and the second upright 14 are supported relative to a support surface by a base, indicated generally at 16. The target 10 also includes cross pieces, indicated generally at 18, that are supported by the first upright 12 and the second upright 14. The target 10 includes three cross pieces 18, but may include any desired number of cross pieces 18. The target 10 also includes an optional first toe line 20 and an optional second toe line 22. The first toe line 20 and the second toe line 22 are supported by the base 12 so that they are adjacent the support surface, such as, for example, on or near the ground. The two lines are a left and a right toe line, and accommodate players throwing from either side of the target 10. The toe lines 20 and 22 are used to indicate a minimum distance a player must stand from a second target (not shown) when playing the ball toss game, as will be described below. It should be appreciated that the toe lines 20 and 22 are positioned adjacent the support surface in this embodiment in order to help prevent interfering with the players. However, the toe lines 20 and 22 can be positioned somewhere other than on or near the support surface, if desired.

The first upright 12, the second upright 14, and the base 16 are made of poly vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe sections 24 that are joined using fittings including PVC tees 26 and elbows 28. The sections of PVC pipe 24 may be permanently joined by PVC cement, screws, or other mechanisms for fixing the pieces. Alternatively, the PVC pipe sections 24 may be frictionally engaged with the fittings 26 and 28 or otherwise temporarily connected to the fittings 26 and 28. This allows the target 10 to be disassembled for storage and transport. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the target 10 may be made out of other materials, such as other plastics, wood, or metal, if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of a cross piece 30, shown partially disassembled. The cross piece 30 is one of the cross pieces 18. The other cross pieces are similar to cross piece 30, and will not be described separately. However, it should be appreciated that the other cross pieces may differ from the described cross piece 30, if desired. For example, the cross pieces may have a different cross sectional shape, or they may be curved or arced. The cross piece 30 includes an outer tube 32. The outer tube 32 is a transparent PVC pipe section. The outer tube 32 may be made of other materials, if desired. The outer tube 32 will normally be made of a material that can be struck by a thrown bola (described below) without breaking. The outer tube 32 may be made of a material that is transparent or translucent, or may be made of an opaque material that includes openings to allow light to pass through. The cross piece 30 includes a threaded end 34. The threaded end 34 is adapted to fit onto a threaded portion of an end cap 36. The threaded end 34 includes a groove 38. An O-ring 40 is seated in the groove 38. This provides for a water resistant seal when the end cap 36 is fitted on the threaded end 34.

Alternatively, the end cap 36 may be permanently or temporarily attached to the outer tube 32 using other desired fasteners or mechanisms, such as frictional engagement or adhesives.

The cross piece 30 also includes an electrically powered light source 42. The electrically powered light source 42 includes a light emitting diode (LED) 44. Alternatively, other types of lights, such as incandescent, florescent, or neon, may be used. The electrically powered light source 42 is powered by a power source, such as the illustrated batteries 46. The electrically powered light source 42 includes a switch 48. The switch 48 allows the electrically powered light source 42 to be selectively activated and deactivated. The end cap 36 includes an outer switch 50 that cooperates with the switch 48 to allow the switch 48 to be operated when the cross piece 30 is assembled. When the cross piece 30 is assembled and the electrically powered light source 42 is activated, the LED 44 provides light into an interior space 52 of the outer tube 32. This light is then visible through an illuminated portion 54 of the cross piece 30. It should be appreciated that when the entire cross piece 30 is made of a transparent material, then the illuminated portion 54 will extend the entire length of the cross piece 30. Although a single electrically powered light source 42 is shown, the cross piece 30 may include multiple light sources, such as a light at either end or a section of rope lights in the interior space 52.

The cross piece 30 includes an optional colored filter 56. The colored filter 56 is a cylinder of colored plastic that is approximately the same length as the outer tube 32. It should be appreciated that the colored filter 56 may be shorter than the outer tube 32. The colored filter 56 is inserted into the outer tube 32 coaxially with the outer tube 32. The colored filter 56 is adapted to change the color of the light from the LED 44 that is visible through the illuminated portion 54 of the cross piece 30. The colored filter 56 may be changed by a user of the target 10, in order to change the apparent color of the cross piece 30. This allows the user to make the cross pieces 18 appear to be different colors from each other, if desired. Additionally, the colored filter 56 may be made having a variety of colors, or may include areas that are less permeable to light, in order to create visible patterns. The color of the light from the LED 44 that is visible through the illuminated portion 54 may alternatively be changed by providing a colored filter adjacent to the LED 44. Alternatively, the color of the light from the LED 44 that is visible through the illuminated portion 54 may be changed by providing a colored filter that is integral with the outer tube 32, for example, by providing a color or tint to the outer tube 32. Further, the apparent color of the cross piece 30 may be changed by changing the color of the LED 44.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an illuminated bola, indicated generally at 58, is shown. The illuminated bola 58 is adapted for use with the target 10. It should be appreciated that a non-illuminated bola may be used with the target 10, if desired. It should also be appreciated that the illuminated bola 58 may be used with a target other than the target 10 described herein, if desired. The illuminated bola 58 includes a first weight or ball 60 with a first through bore 62 and a second weight or ball 64 with a second through bore 66. The first ball 60 and the second ball 64 are tethered together by a cord 68. The cord 68 passes through the first through bore 62 and the second through bore 66. The cord 68 includes a first end knot 70 and a second end knot 72 in order to prevent the first ball 60 and the second ball 64 from coming off the cord 68. The cord 68 is made of nylon string, though other desired materials suitable to hold the first ball 60 and the second ball 64 together may be used. The illuminated bola 58 also includes a first washer 74 and a second washer 76 located between the respective ball and end knot. The washers help to prevent the end knots from damaging the balls. It should be appreciated that the first ball 60 and the second ball 64 may be connected to one another in any other desired manner, for example, by using a section of rope with ends that are trapped inside the first ball 60 and the second ball 64.

The first ball 60 and the second ball 64 are made out of a translucent rubber. The first ball 60 and the second ball 64 may be made of other desired materials that have sufficient durability to be used in play. The first ball 60 and the second ball 64 may be made of a translucent material, a transparent material, or may be made of an opaque material that includes openings to allow light to pass through. The illuminated bola 58 also includes a first bola light source 78. The first bola light source 78 is an electrical powered light source, and includes an LED 80. Alternatively, other types of lights, such as incandescent, florescent, or neon, may be used. The first bola light source 78 includes a switch 82, allowing the LED 80 to be selectively turned on. The first bola light source 78 is adapted to fit into the first through bore 62 and be frictionally retained by the first ball 60. Alternatively, the first bola light source 78 may be inserted into and retained within the first ball 60 in some other manner. For example, the first ball may include an additional bore or cavity to accommodate the first bola light source 78, the first ball 60 include a cover, catch, clip, or some other retainer, or the first bola light source 78 may be integral with the first ball. Additionally, the first ball 60 may be adapted to protect the first bola light source 78 from exposure to water. When the first bola light source 78 is activated, the light from the LED 80 is visible through illuminated portions of the first ball 60. It should be appreciated that the color of the light visible from the LED may vary depending on the color of the LED 80 and the color of the material of the first ball 60. Additionally, an optional colored filter (not shown) may be used with the first ball 60. The illuminated bola 58 also includes a optional second bola light source 84. In this embodiment, the second bola light source 84 is similar to the first bola light source 78, and will not be described separately.

The first bola light source 78 and the second bola light source 84 are powered by independent batteries. However, it should be appreciated that the first bola light source 78 and the second bola light source 84 may share a common power source (not shown) by, for example, running a power line through the cord 68. Alternatively, the first ball 60 and the second ball 64 may share a common light source (not shown) that is located in the first ball 60 and transmits light to the second ball 64 through an optic fiber (not shown) located in the cord 68.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an elevational, schematic view, taken from the front, of the target 10 is shown. As previously described, the target 10 includes the electrically powered light source 42 in the cross piece 30. The target 10 also includes a second electrically powered light source 86 and a third electrically powered light source 88, adapted to illuminate the cross pieces 18. The target 10 also includes an optional first toe line light 90, adapted to illuminate a portion of the first toe line 20, and an optional second toe line light 92 adapted to illuminate a portion of the second toe line 22. In this embodiment, these additional light sources 86, 88, 90, and 92 are substantially similar to the electrically powered light source 42, and will not be separately described. Alternatively, one or more of the additional light sources 86, 88, 90, and 92 may be different from the electrically powered light source 42, if desired. For example, it may be desirable that the first toe line light 90 and the second toe line light 92 project light onto the support surface, rather than illuminate the first toe line 20 and the second to line 22. If the first toe line light 90 and the second toe line light 92 project light onto the support surface, it may not be necessary to include a first toe line 20 and a second toe line 22 that extend from the side of the base. Rather, it may be sufficient to have a visual indication of the toe line location (not shown) that may be used to identify the location of the toe lines when the first toe line light 90 and the second toe line light 92 are turned off. It should be appreciated that in the embodiment described, each of the light sources 42, 86, 88, 90, and 92 is controlled by an individual switch, allowing the user to selectively turn on or turn off each light source.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an elevational, schematic view, taken from the front, of a target 110 is shown. The target 110 is similar to the target 10, and similar components are identified by the same number. However, target 110 includes an alternative configuration for providing power to the light sources. Target 110 includes a common power source 94. The common power source 94 is used to provide power to the light sources 42, 86, and 88 in the cross-pieces 18. The common power source 94 is wired through a cross piece switch 96, that allows each of the light sources 42, 86, and 88 to be turned on or off simultaneously. The target 110 also includes a second common power source 98. The second common power source 98 is used to provide power to the light sources 90 and 92 in the toe lines 20 and 22. The second common power source 98 is wired through a toe line switch 100, that allows each of the light sources 90 and 92 to be turned on or off simultaneously. The common power source 94 and the second common power source 98 may be batteries, such as 9-volt batteries. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the light sources 42, 86, 88, 90, and 92 may share a single common power source. Additionally, power may be provided from a source that is external to the target 110. For example, an extension cord (not shown) may be used to provide common household AC current to the target 110.

The embodiments of the illuminated target 10 and 110 previously described include an individual light source for each illuminated portion. It should be appreciated that the target may alternatively include a common light source (not shown) that generates light that is diverted to multiple illuminated portions. The light from the common light source could be diverted, for example, by the use of optical fibers or reflective surfaces.

The illuminated target 10 and illuminated bola 58 allow a ball toss game to be played when there would normally be insufficient ambient light to see the targets and the balls, for example, at night time in an area without artificial lights. The light sources 42, 86, and 88 allow the players to see the cross pieces 30 of the target 10. The light sources 90 and 92 allow the players to see the toe lines 20 and 22. Typically, the ball toss game is played using a first target 10 and an identical second target (not shown) that is located a selected distance from the first target. A player stands by the first target and throws his or her bola at the second target. By illuminating the toe lines 20 and 22, the player is able to identify the proper minimum distance to stand from the second target when throwing from the first target. The illuminated toe lines 20 and 22 also allow other players or spectators to identify when a player has overstepped the toe line and is throwing from less than the selected minimum distance.

The light sources described herein provide an advantage over games that use chemiluminescent light sources such as glow sticks to illuminate the target, in that the light sources described herein may be selectively turned on when in use, and turned off when not in use. The light sources described may also include an optional dimmer switch (not shown) that allows the brightness of the lights to be adjusted, if desired. Additionally, the electric light sources described may be adapted to be able to flash or strobe. Normally, it would not be desirable for the light sources 90 and 92 in the toe lines 20 and 22 to flash, although they may be configured to do so. Causing the light sources 42, 86, and 88 in the cross pieces 18 to flash or strobe can increase the difficulty of the ball toss game, and may be desirable by advanced players. The light sources 42, 86, and 88 in the cross pieces 18 may be set to have the same strobe rate, or they may have an independent first strobe rate, second strobe rate, and third strobe rate, respectively. Additionally, the light sources 42, 86, and 88 may be synchronized to flash simultaneously, or to flash in turns. It should be appreciated that the cross piece switch 96 may be adapted to control the strobe rate of the light sources 42, 86, and 88 in the cross pieces 18. Additionally, the inclusion of the switches, such as outer switch 50, on the target 10 allows for additional rules covering special feats. For example, there may be a rule that a player whose bola turns a light source on or off automatically wins.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.