US20210146210A1 - Toss game targeting structure and method of using same - Google Patents
Toss game targeting structure and method of using same Download PDFInfo
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- US20210146210A1 US20210146210A1 US16/687,743 US201916687743A US2021146210A1 US 20210146210 A1 US20210146210 A1 US 20210146210A1 US 201916687743 A US201916687743 A US 201916687743A US 2021146210 A1 US2021146210 A1 US 2021146210A1
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- gameplay
- enclosure
- board
- cornhole
- toss game
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B67/00—Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00
- A63B67/06—Ring or disc tossing games, e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2210/00—Space saving
- A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
Definitions
- the disclosures made herein relate generally to toss game targeting structures and, more particularly, to a cornhole airmail box adapted for use with a regulation cornhole board.
- cornhole (commonly referred to as cornholing) has been well-known for many years.
- the game of cornhole typically involving two or four players divided into two even teams.
- cornhole involves spaced apart target assemblies that are in the form of gameplay boards (commonly referred to as cornhole boards) of a regulation size and pitch relative to the ground.
- Each gameplay board has a deck with a gameplay hole at a given location from the back edge of the gameplay board.
- the top (i.e., gameplay) surface of the gameplay board is at a designated angle relative to the ground, the gameplay hole is at a designated distance above the ground and the gameplay hole is at a designated distance from a player.
- ACL American Cornhole League
- platforms cornhole boards
- ACL American Cornhole League
- platforms cornhole boards
- a cornhole board is maintained in an angled orientation, where the front edge of the cornhole board is raised 2.5 inches ( ⁇ 6 cm) to 3.5 inches ( ⁇ 9 cm) above the ground and the rear edge of the cornhole board is raised 11.75 inches ( ⁇ 30 cm) to 12.25 inches ( ⁇ 31 cm) above the ground.
- ACA American Cornhole Association
- ACO American Cornhole Organization
- players score points by tossing (also referred to as pitching) gameplay bags of granular material (e.g., kernels of corn, resin material or the like) through the air from a designated distance with the objective of achieving a points-scoring play.
- Gameplay bags are of a uniform size and weight (e.g., about 15-16 ounces measuring nominally 6 inches ( ⁇ 15 cm) by 6 inches ( ⁇ 15 cm)).
- players take alternating turns tossing gameplay bags (e.g., four gameplay bags for each player) one at a time, through an aperture in a deck of the cornhole board.
- points-scoring play examples include, but may not be limited to, a tossed bag landing directly in the gameplay hole, a tossed bag landing on the gameplay surface of the gameplay board, a tossed bag landing on the gameplay surface of the gameplay board and sliding into the gameplay hole and a tossed bag hitting an already-tossed back on top of the gameplay board and causing the already-tossed to slide into the gameplay hole.
- a player receives a designated number of points for each type of points-scoring play. For example, a player can receive a first number of points when a tossed bag landing directly in the gameplay hole (e.g., 3 points) and a second number of points for any other type of points-scoring play (e.g., 1 point).
- a tossed bag landing directly in the gameplay hole is commonly referred to as an “airmail”.
- An airmail is given the same number of points as any other bag that goes into the gameplay hole—i.e., sliding in or being pushed in.
- the main advantage of learning to airmail a shot is making a shot in the gameplay hole when the gameplay hole is blocked by an opponent's bag, thereby making sliding a bag into the gameplay hole difficult to do without taking the opponent's bag into the gameplay hole with it.
- a common technique for a player to hone their airmail scoring skills is to practice with an airmail box.
- the airmail box is a enclosure (or similar structure) having a gameplay hole the same size and position of as that of a cornhole board of regulation configuration and in-use configuration, but with a top surface that is much smaller than that of the cornhole board (e.g., about 1 foot by about 1 foot as opposed to 2 feet wide by 4 feet long). In this manner, a player has a visually smaller surface to target with the airmail box than with a cornhole board. Additionally, the overall size of an airmail box is much smaller than a cornhole board, thus making the airmail box easier and more convenient to the transport for practice.
- Conventional airmail boxes are known to suffer from one or more shortcomings.
- One such shortcoming arises from conventional airmail boxes being lighter than cornhole boards, which generally have a regulation weight of about 15 lbs. ( ⁇ 7 kg) to about 20 lbs. ( ⁇ 9 kg).
- a downside of such relative lightweight construction is that the airmail boxes is that the momentum of a tossed gameplay bag can cause a position and/or orientation of the airmail box to shift upon being hit by a tossed gameplay bag.
- the placement and orientation of an airmail box is crucial. Placement and orientation of an airmail box should be set-up as and remain the same as that of a cornhole board, even under impingement by tossed gameplay bags.
- airmail boxes configured for training to achieve airmail gameplays and that is adapted to inhibit unrestricted movement from impingement of tossed gameplay bags, thereby overcoming drawbacks associated with conventional airmail boxes, would be advantageous, desirable and useful.
- Embodiments of the present invention are directed to airmail boxes configured for training to achieve airmail gameplays and that are adapted to inhibit unrestricted movement from impingement of tossed gameplay bags.
- Airmail boxes configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention are preferably adapted to mount on a gameplay surface of a regulation cornhole board that is lying flat on the ground. Such mounting is preferably achieved through engagement of one or more structural elements of the airmail box with the gameplay hole of the cornhole board.
- Airmail boxes configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention preferably include one or more structures that engage a mating portion of the cornhole board for limiting or preventing unrestricted rotational movement of the airmail box relative to the cornhole board.
- airmail boxes configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention have a gameplay surface that is at a pitch nominally the same as a regulation pitch of a cornhole board and have a gameplay hole in the gameplay surface that is a distance above the ground nominally the same as a regulation gameplay hole position of a cornhole board during gameplay.
- airmail boxes configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention advantageously overcome one or more shortcomings associated with conventional airmail boxes.
- a toss game targeting structure adapted for use with a toss game board comprises an enclosure having at least a top wall and a bottom wall and a mounting structure adapted for engagement with a gameplay targeting structure of a toss game board.
- a gameplay target extends through the top wall.
- the mounting structure is integral with the bottom wall. The mounting structure protrudes away from a bottom surface of the bottom wall such that an exterior perimeter edge of the mounting structure is defined.
- a gameplay hole is integral with a top wall of the enclosure.
- the mounting structure extends downward from a bottom surface of the bottom wall.
- the mounting structure has a cross-sectional profile enabling the mounting structure to be engaged within the gameplay hole of the cornhole board, has a shape the same as the gameplay hole of the cornhole board and has a perimeter edge length approximately the same as but not greater than a corresponding interior surface length of the gameplay hole of the cornhole board.
- a method of providing a target for cornholing airmail gameplays comprises a plurality of steps.
- a first step is performed to lay a cornhole board flat on a support surface with a gameplay surface thereof facing upward.
- the gameplay surface has a gameplay hole therein.
- a second step is performed to provide an airmail box comprising an enclosure having a plurality of walls defining an interior space and a mounting structure adapted for engagement with the gameplay hole of the cornhole board.
- a gameplay hole of the airmail box is integral with a top wall of the enclosure.
- the mounting structure is integral with a bottom wall of the enclosure. The mounting structure extends downward from a bottom surface of the bottom wall.
- a third step is performed to place the airmail box on the gameplay surface of the cornhole board with the mounting structure engaged within the gameplay hole thereof.
- a height of the enclosure is truncated to retain a gameplay hole at regulation gameplay height.
- the top wall is pitched to retain a gameplay hole at a regulation gameplay top surface pitch.
- a size of the gameplay hole of the enclosure is the same as that of the toss game board.
- an anti-rotation structure engageable with a mating structure of the toss game board is integral with the enclosure to inhibit unrestricted rotation of the enclosure relative to the toss game board.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing an airmail box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as mounted on a cornhole board with the cornhole board lying flat on a support surface.
- FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the airmail box of FIG. 1 , as mounted on the cornhole board.
- FIG. 3 is a top expanded perspective view of the airmail box of FIG. 1 , with the cornhole board lying flat on a support surface.
- FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing the airmail box of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view showing the airmail box of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 - 6 in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7 - 7 in FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 1-6 show various aspects of an airmail box configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention (i.e., airmail box 100 ).
- the airmail box 100 is adapted to be engaged with a gameplay deck 3 (i.e., top wall) of a cornhole board 1 lying flat on a support surface 4 (e.g., the ground, grass, pavement of the like) for training to achieve airmail gameplays.
- Mounting of the airmail box 100 on the cornhole board 1 utilizes the weight and size of the cornhole board to inhibit unrestricted movement of the airmail box 100 resulting from impingement of tossed gameplay bags on the airmail box 100 .
- the airmail box 100 is adapted to engage one or more mating features of the cornhole board 1 to inhibit unrestricted movement of the airmail box 100 relative to the cornhole board 1 .
- the airmail box 100 is adapted to engage a gameplay hole 5 (i.e., a gameplay targeting structure) of the cornhole board 1 and a rear edge 10 of the gameplay deck 3 of the cornhole board 1 .
- the cornhole board 1 can be subject to a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations. These specifications each set forth parameters to which a cornhole board must be constructed and orientated during use to ensure that it provides for regulation gameplay. Examples of these parameters include, but are not limited to, width and length of the deck 3 , size (i.e., diameter) of the gameplay hole 5 , position of the gameplay hole 5 in the deck 3 , height of front and rear edges of the deck 3 of the cornhole board 1 above a support surface upon which the cornhole board 1 rests (i.e., thus defining an angular pitch of the deck 3 relative to the support surface), and the like.
- various ones of these parameters can influence one or more aspects of construction of the airmail box 100 such that an airmail gameplay provided for by the airmail box 100 is consistent with dimensional and positional gameplay targeting structure factors in accordance with a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations when the airmail box 100 is mounted on the flat-lying cornhole board 1 .
- flat-lying means that a frame 32 of the cornhole board 1 is resting on the support surface 4 such that a gameplay surface 20 defined by the deck 3 extends generally parallel to the support surface 4 .
- the gameplay surface 20 is above the support surface 4 by a height approximately equal to an overall thickness of the cornhole board 1 —e.g., the thickness of the deck 3 plus a thickness of the frame 32 of the cornhole board 1 to which the deck 3 is attached.
- the airmail box 100 includes an enclosure 102 and a mounting structure 104 .
- the enclosure 102 can have sidewalls 106 , end walls 108 , a top wall 110 and a bottom wall 112 .
- the enclosure 102 can have a plurality of walls defining an interior space 114 of the enclosure 102 .
- the enclosure 102 can omit one or more walls while still having a top wall and a bottom wall (e.g., an open-sided enclosure).
- the bottom wall 112 can include a layer of protective material 112 ′ such as felt or foam or the like that limits damage (e.g., scuffing and scratches) to a cornhole board on which the airmail box 100 is mounted.
- the top wall 110 defines a gameplay deck 116 of the airmail box 100 .
- a gameplay hole 118 (i.e., gameplay targeting structure) extends through the top wall 110 and is thus exposed at the gameplay deck 116 .
- the gameplay hole 118 is integral with the top wall 110 .
- the gameplay hole 118 can be centered within a surface area of the gameplay deck 116 —e.g., centered on the width and on the length of the gameplay deck 116 .
- the gameplay hole 118 has a size the same as a cornhole board gameplay hole as defined by a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations—e.g., a common size is nominally 6 inches and can have a specified tolerance (e.g., +/ ⁇ 0.125 inches or +/ ⁇ 0.250 inches).
- the mounting structure 104 is attached to and extends downward from a bottom surface 120 of the bottom wall 112 .
- the mounting structure 104 is adapted for engagement within the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 , thereby defining a position of the airmail box relative to the cornhole board 1 .
- a cross-sectional profile of the mounting structure 104 enables the mounting structure 104 to be engaged within the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 .
- mounting structure 104 can have a shape the same as the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 and can have a size approximately the same as but not greater than a size of the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 (e.g., as determined by specified diameter, by measured perimeter edge length, by corresponding interior surface length, or the like).
- a common centerline axis can extend through the gameplay hole 118 and the mounting structure 104 .
- the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 has a nominal diameter of 6 inches, whereby a preferred embodiment of the mounting structure 104 is a round structure having a diameter nominally (e.g., about 0.125 inches) smaller than 6 inches.
- the mounting structure 104 can have a non-round shape (e.g., cross-shaped structure, linear shoulder, polygon shaped structure and the like) sized to limit unrestructured translational movement of the enclosure 104 relative to the cornhole board 1 in at least one direction.
- the objective of sizing the mounting structure 104 is to enable the mounting structure 104 to readily fit within the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 while providing a relatively close fit to limit movement of the mounting structure 104 relative to the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 .
- the mounting structure 104 is approximately the same size as, but not larger than, the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1
- the mounting structure 104 can be a remnant piece of material (e.g., a round piece of plywood) cut from a piece of material to form a gameplay hole of a cornhole board.
- the remnant can have an amount of material removed from its perimeter edge (e.g., such as from sawing) where it is of too small a size for use preferred use as a mounting structure.
- a perimeter edge of the mounting structure 104 can include added material 105 (e.g., a strip or discrete pieces of material) so as to increase the size (e.g., maximum diameter) of the mounting structure 104 .
- such material can be added to the mounting structure 104 to limit potentially damaging contact between the mounting structure 104 and the cornhole board 1 .
- an anti-rotation structure 122 can be attached to the enclosure 104 to inhibit unrestricted rotation of the mounting structure 104 relative to the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 .
- the anti-rotation structure 122 can be a structure that protrudes away from the bottom surface 120 of the bottom wall 112 to define a cornhole board engaging surface 124 and can be located between a rearmost edge of the mounting structure 104 and a rear edge of the enclosure 102 .
- the cornhole board engaging surface 124 can engage a mating edge of the deck 32 of the cornhole board 1 .
- an anti-rotation structure in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention can be any suitable structure that engages a mating structure of the cornhole board to inhibit unrestricted rotation of the enclosure relative to the cornhole board.
- the airmail box 100 can have a truncated height such that a vertical distance D from the bottom surface 120 of the enclosure 102 to the gameplay deck 116 (i.e., the top surface) of the top wall 110 at a centerline axis C of the gameplay target of the enclosure 104 is truncated by an amount approximately equal to a thickness T of the cornhole board 1 such as, for example, as defined by a gameplay equipment specification.
- the vertical height D is about 8 to 9 inches to achieve a desired regulation gameplay vertical position of the gameplay deck 116 at the centerline axis C of the gameplay target.
- the vertical position of the gameplay hole 118 relative to a support surface engaging bottom face 32 of the cornhole board 1 is approximately the same as that of the gameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 during regulation-gameplay thereof as defined by the gameplay equipment specification.
- Such same vertical position of the gameplay hole 118 of the airmail box 100 beneficially enables gameplay and practice of airmail gameplays with the airmail box 100 to be in accordance with regulation-gameplay with the cornhole board 1 .
- the top surface 116 of the top wall 110 can have an angular pitch P relative to the bottom wall 112 of the enclosure 102 .
- the angular pitch P is preferably approximately the same as an angular pitch of the gameplay surface of the cornhole board 1 during regulation-gameplay thereof.
- the top surface 116 of the enclosure 104 relative to the support surface engaging bottom face 32 of the cornhole board 1 is an angular pitch defined by a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations when the bottom surface 120 of the bottom wall 112 of the enclosure 104 is engaged with the gameplay surface 20 of the cornhole board 1 and the support surface engaging bottom face 32 of the cornhole board 1 rests on the support surface 4 .
- the angular pitch P will be about 10 degrees.
- Enclosures in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include an opening for enabling gameplay articles (e.g., toss bags) to be removed from within the interior space 114 of the enclosure 104 .
- the enclosure 104 has a cover 126 over an opening in the enclosure 104 that enables access into the interior space 114 .
- one or more walls of the enclosure 104 can include an opening for enabling access to the interior space 114 .
- the end wall 108 defining the rear face of the enclosure 104 can be entirely or partially made from a material such as mesh, mat, cloth, or the like having a passage therein for allowing gameplay articles to be retrieved therethrough (e.g., through a slot/slit therein) from within the interior space 114 of the enclosure 104 .
- an airmail box configured in accordance with one or more embodiments enables a method of providing a target for achieving airmail gameplays.
- This target for achieving such airmail gameplays can be used for practicing such gameplays or for playing a cornhole game.
- the method of providing the target for cornholing airmail gameplays begins with a step of laying a cornhole board flat on a support surface with a gameplay surface thereof facing upward. The gameplay surface has a gameplay hole therein.
- a step is performed for providing an airmail box configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention (e.g., the airmail box 100 ).
- a step is performed for placing the airmail box on the gameplay surface of the cornhole board with a mounting structure of the airmail box engaged within the gameplay hole of the cornhole board.
- An airmail box configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be made using any suitable material.
- Plywood is an example of a suitable material as specified in a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations.
- Airmail box configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be made using any suitable fabrication techniques. Laser cutting, mechanical cutting, gluing, nailing, threaded fastening, and the like are examples of suitable fabrication techniques.
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Abstract
Description
- The disclosures made herein relate generally to toss game targeting structures and, more particularly, to a cornhole airmail box adapted for use with a regulation cornhole board.
- The game of “cornhole” (commonly referred to as cornholing) has been well-known for many years. The game of cornhole typically involving two or four players divided into two even teams. In general, cornhole involves spaced apart target assemblies that are in the form of gameplay boards (commonly referred to as cornhole boards) of a regulation size and pitch relative to the ground. Each gameplay board has a deck with a gameplay hole at a given location from the back edge of the gameplay board. In this manner, the top (i.e., gameplay) surface of the gameplay board is at a designated angle relative to the ground, the gameplay hole is at a designated distance above the ground and the gameplay hole is at a designated distance from a player.
- An organization known as the American Cornhole League (“ACL”) has adopted standards that specify that the cornhole boards (which are sometimes referred to as “platforms”) should have a flat deck that measures 24 inches (˜61 cm) wide, 48 inches (˜122 cm) long and has a single 6 inch (˜15 cm) circular hole or opening through the deck centered between the sides of the deck approximately 9 inches (˜23 cm) from a rear edge portion of the deck. During gameplay, a cornhole board is maintained in an angled orientation, where the front edge of the cornhole board is raised 2.5 inches (˜6 cm) to 3.5 inches (˜9 cm) above the ground and the rear edge of the cornhole board is raised 11.75 inches (˜30 cm) to 12.25 inches (˜31 cm) above the ground. These dimensions result in the top surface of the cornhole board having an angular pitch of about 10 degrees relative to horizontal. Other organizations such as, for example, American Cornhole Association (“ACA”) and American Cornhole Organization (“ACO”) have similar cornhole board regulations and resulting cornhole board configuration.
- In cornhole, players score points by tossing (also referred to as pitching) gameplay bags of granular material (e.g., kernels of corn, resin material or the like) through the air from a designated distance with the objective of achieving a points-scoring play. Gameplay bags are of a uniform size and weight (e.g., about 15-16 ounces measuring nominally 6 inches (˜15 cm) by 6 inches (˜15 cm)). Typically, players take alternating turns tossing gameplay bags (e.g., four gameplay bags for each player) one at a time, through an aperture in a deck of the cornhole board. Examples of points-scoring play include, but may not be limited to, a tossed bag landing directly in the gameplay hole, a tossed bag landing on the gameplay surface of the gameplay board, a tossed bag landing on the gameplay surface of the gameplay board and sliding into the gameplay hole and a tossed bag hitting an already-tossed back on top of the gameplay board and causing the already-tossed to slide into the gameplay hole. A player receives a designated number of points for each type of points-scoring play. For example, a player can receive a first number of points when a tossed bag landing directly in the gameplay hole (e.g., 3 points) and a second number of points for any other type of points-scoring play (e.g., 1 point). A player wins by being first to achieve a designated number of points—e.g., 21 points.
- A tossed bag landing directly in the gameplay hole is commonly referred to as an “airmail”. An airmail is given the same number of points as any other bag that goes into the gameplay hole—i.e., sliding in or being pushed in. The main advantage of learning to airmail a shot is making a shot in the gameplay hole when the gameplay hole is blocked by an opponent's bag, thereby making sliding a bag into the gameplay hole difficult to do without taking the opponent's bag into the gameplay hole with it. A common technique for a player to hone their airmail scoring skills is to practice with an airmail box. The airmail box is a enclosure (or similar structure) having a gameplay hole the same size and position of as that of a cornhole board of regulation configuration and in-use configuration, but with a top surface that is much smaller than that of the cornhole board (e.g., about 1 foot by about 1 foot as opposed to 2 feet wide by 4 feet long). In this manner, a player has a visually smaller surface to target with the airmail box than with a cornhole board. Additionally, the overall size of an airmail box is much smaller than a cornhole board, thus making the airmail box easier and more convenient to the transport for practice.
- Conventional airmail boxes are known to suffer from one or more shortcomings. One such shortcoming arises from conventional airmail boxes being lighter than cornhole boards, which generally have a regulation weight of about 15 lbs. (˜7 kg) to about 20 lbs. (˜9 kg). A downside of such relative lightweight construction is that the airmail boxes is that the momentum of a tossed gameplay bag can cause a position and/or orientation of the airmail box to shift upon being hit by a tossed gameplay bag. For apparent reasons (e.g., tossing precision to cornhole board gameplay specifications), the placement and orientation of an airmail box is crucial. Placement and orientation of an airmail box should be set-up as and remain the same as that of a cornhole board, even under impingement by tossed gameplay bags. Another such shortcoming arises from conventional airmail boxes not being constructed according to regulation specifications. In particular, the gameplay hole of many conventional airmail boxes is not at a regulation height above the ground, the top surface (i.e., gameplay deck) is not at a regulation pitch relative to the ground, or both.
- Therefore, airmail boxes configured for training to achieve airmail gameplays and that is adapted to inhibit unrestricted movement from impingement of tossed gameplay bags, thereby overcoming drawbacks associated with conventional airmail boxes, would be advantageous, desirable and useful.
- Embodiments of the present invention are directed to airmail boxes configured for training to achieve airmail gameplays and that are adapted to inhibit unrestricted movement from impingement of tossed gameplay bags. Airmail boxes configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention are preferably adapted to mount on a gameplay surface of a regulation cornhole board that is lying flat on the ground. Such mounting is preferably achieved through engagement of one or more structural elements of the airmail box with the gameplay hole of the cornhole board. Airmail boxes configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention preferably include one or more structures that engage a mating portion of the cornhole board for limiting or preventing unrestricted rotational movement of the airmail box relative to the cornhole board. Preferably, airmail boxes configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention have a gameplay surface that is at a pitch nominally the same as a regulation pitch of a cornhole board and have a gameplay hole in the gameplay surface that is a distance above the ground nominally the same as a regulation gameplay hole position of a cornhole board during gameplay. In these respects, airmail boxes configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention advantageously overcome one or more shortcomings associated with conventional airmail boxes.
- In one embodiment of the present invention, a toss game targeting structure adapted for use with a toss game board comprises an enclosure having at least a top wall and a bottom wall and a mounting structure adapted for engagement with a gameplay targeting structure of a toss game board. A gameplay target extends through the top wall. The mounting structure is integral with the bottom wall. The mounting structure protrudes away from a bottom surface of the bottom wall such that an exterior perimeter edge of the mounting structure is defined.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, an airmail box configured for providing cornholing airmail gameplays comprises an enclosure having a plurality of walls defining an interior space and a mounting structure adapted for engagement with a gameplay hole of a cornhole board integral with a bottom wall of the enclosure. A gameplay hole is integral with a top wall of the enclosure. The mounting structure extends downward from a bottom surface of the bottom wall. The mounting structure has a cross-sectional profile enabling the mounting structure to be engaged within the gameplay hole of the cornhole board, has a shape the same as the gameplay hole of the cornhole board and has a perimeter edge length approximately the same as but not greater than a corresponding interior surface length of the gameplay hole of the cornhole board.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of providing a target for cornholing airmail gameplays comprises a plurality of steps. A first step is performed to lay a cornhole board flat on a support surface with a gameplay surface thereof facing upward. The gameplay surface has a gameplay hole therein. A second step is performed to provide an airmail box comprising an enclosure having a plurality of walls defining an interior space and a mounting structure adapted for engagement with the gameplay hole of the cornhole board. A gameplay hole of the airmail box is integral with a top wall of the enclosure. The mounting structure is integral with a bottom wall of the enclosure. The mounting structure extends downward from a bottom surface of the bottom wall. A third step is performed to place the airmail box on the gameplay surface of the cornhole board with the mounting structure engaged within the gameplay hole thereof.
- In one or more embodiments, a height of the enclosure is truncated to retain a gameplay hole at regulation gameplay height.
- In one or more embodiments, the top wall is pitched to retain a gameplay hole at a regulation gameplay top surface pitch.
- In one or more embodiments, a size of the gameplay hole of the enclosure is the same as that of the toss game board.
- In one or more embodiments, an anti-rotation structure engageable with a mating structure of the toss game board is integral with the enclosure to inhibit unrestricted rotation of the enclosure relative to the toss game board.
- These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and/or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.
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FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing an airmail box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as mounted on a cornhole board with the cornhole board lying flat on a support surface. -
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the airmail box ofFIG. 1 , as mounted on the cornhole board. -
FIG. 3 is a top expanded perspective view of the airmail box ofFIG. 1 , with the cornhole board lying flat on a support surface. -
FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing the airmail box ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view showing the airmail box ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 inFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 1-6 show various aspects of an airmail box configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention (i.e., airmail box 100). Advantageously, as shown inFIGS. 1-3 , theairmail box 100 is adapted to be engaged with a gameplay deck 3 (i.e., top wall) of acornhole board 1 lying flat on a support surface 4 (e.g., the ground, grass, pavement of the like) for training to achieve airmail gameplays. Mounting of theairmail box 100 on thecornhole board 1 utilizes the weight and size of the cornhole board to inhibit unrestricted movement of theairmail box 100 resulting from impingement of tossed gameplay bags on theairmail box 100. To this end, theairmail box 100 is adapted to engage one or more mating features of thecornhole board 1 to inhibit unrestricted movement of theairmail box 100 relative to thecornhole board 1. In preferred embodiments, as discussed below in detail, theairmail box 100 is adapted to engage a gameplay hole 5 (i.e., a gameplay targeting structure) of thecornhole board 1 and arear edge 10 of thegameplay deck 3 of thecornhole board 1. - To provide for regulation gameplay, the
cornhole board 1 can be subject to a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations. These specifications each set forth parameters to which a cornhole board must be constructed and orientated during use to ensure that it provides for regulation gameplay. Examples of these parameters include, but are not limited to, width and length of thedeck 3, size (i.e., diameter) of thegameplay hole 5, position of thegameplay hole 5 in thedeck 3, height of front and rear edges of thedeck 3 of thecornhole board 1 above a support surface upon which thecornhole board 1 rests (i.e., thus defining an angular pitch of thedeck 3 relative to the support surface), and the like. - As discussed below in detail, various ones of these parameters can influence one or more aspects of construction of the
airmail box 100 such that an airmail gameplay provided for by theairmail box 100 is consistent with dimensional and positional gameplay targeting structure factors in accordance with a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations when theairmail box 100 is mounted on the flat-lyingcornhole board 1. As best shown inFIG. 1 , flat-lying means that aframe 32 of thecornhole board 1 is resting on thesupport surface 4 such that agameplay surface 20 defined by thedeck 3 extends generally parallel to thesupport surface 4. When flat-lying (e.g.,leg structure 25 of the cornhole bard in a stowed position), thegameplay surface 20 is above thesupport surface 4 by a height approximately equal to an overall thickness of thecornhole board 1—e.g., the thickness of thedeck 3 plus a thickness of theframe 32 of thecornhole board 1 to which thedeck 3 is attached. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1-6 , theairmail box 100 includes anenclosure 102 and a mountingstructure 104. Theenclosure 102 can havesidewalls 106, endwalls 108, atop wall 110 and abottom wall 112. In this respect, in preferred embodiments, theenclosure 102 can have a plurality of walls defining aninterior space 114 of theenclosure 102. In one or more embodiments, theenclosure 102 can omit one or more walls while still having a top wall and a bottom wall (e.g., an open-sided enclosure). Thebottom wall 112 can include a layer ofprotective material 112′ such as felt or foam or the like that limits damage (e.g., scuffing and scratches) to a cornhole board on which theairmail box 100 is mounted. - The
top wall 110 defines agameplay deck 116 of theairmail box 100. A gameplay hole 118 (i.e., gameplay targeting structure) extends through thetop wall 110 and is thus exposed at thegameplay deck 116. In this respect, thegameplay hole 118 is integral with thetop wall 110. Preferably, but not necessarily, thegameplay hole 118 can be centered within a surface area of thegameplay deck 116—e.g., centered on the width and on the length of thegameplay deck 116. In preferred embodiment, thegameplay hole 118 has a size the same as a cornhole board gameplay hole as defined by a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations—e.g., a common size is nominally 6 inches and can have a specified tolerance (e.g., +/−0.125 inches or +/−0.250 inches). - As best shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , the mountingstructure 104 is attached to and extends downward from abottom surface 120 of thebottom wall 112. The mountingstructure 104 is adapted for engagement within thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1, thereby defining a position of the airmail box relative to thecornhole board 1. To this end, in preferred embodiments, a cross-sectional profile of the mountingstructure 104 enables the mountingstructure 104 to be engaged within thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1. To this end, mountingstructure 104 can have a shape the same as thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 and can have a size approximately the same as but not greater than a size of thegameplay hole 5 of the cornhole board 1 (e.g., as determined by specified diameter, by measured perimeter edge length, by corresponding interior surface length, or the like). In one or more embodiments, a common centerline axis can extend through thegameplay hole 118 and the mountingstructure 104. - In accordance with the gameplay equipment specifications of known gameplay regulating organizations, the
gameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 has a nominal diameter of 6 inches, whereby a preferred embodiment of the mountingstructure 104 is a round structure having a diameter nominally (e.g., about 0.125 inches) smaller than 6 inches. However, it is disclosed herein that the mountingstructure 104 can have a non-round shape (e.g., cross-shaped structure, linear shoulder, polygon shaped structure and the like) sized to limit unrestructured translational movement of theenclosure 104 relative to thecornhole board 1 in at least one direction. The objective of sizing the mountingstructure 104 is to enable the mountingstructure 104 to readily fit within thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 while providing a relatively close fit to limit movement of the mountingstructure 104 relative to thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1. Thus, in at least one dimension, the mountingstructure 104 is approximately the same size as, but not larger than, thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 - In one or more embodiments, the mounting
structure 104 can be a remnant piece of material (e.g., a round piece of plywood) cut from a piece of material to form a gameplay hole of a cornhole board. In some modes of manufacture, the remnant can have an amount of material removed from its perimeter edge (e.g., such as from sawing) where it is of too small a size for use preferred use as a mounting structure. To compensate for such lost material, in one or more embodiments, a perimeter edge of the mountingstructure 104 can include added material 105 (e.g., a strip or discrete pieces of material) so as to increase the size (e.g., maximum diameter) of the mountingstructure 104. Alternatively, or additionally, such material can be added to the mountingstructure 104 to limit potentially damaging contact between the mountingstructure 104 and thecornhole board 1. - When the mounting
structure 104 and thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 are both round, engagement of the mountingstructure 104 with thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 will generally limit translational movement of the mountingstructure 104 relative to thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1. However, such engagement may have limited ability to preclude unrestricted rotational movement of the mountingstructure 104 relative to thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1. In one or more embodiments, ananti-rotation structure 122 can be attached to theenclosure 104 to inhibit unrestricted rotation of the mountingstructure 104 relative to thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1. For example, as shown, theanti-rotation structure 122 can be a structure that protrudes away from thebottom surface 120 of thebottom wall 112 to define a cornholeboard engaging surface 124 and can be located between a rearmost edge of the mountingstructure 104 and a rear edge of theenclosure 102. The cornholeboard engaging surface 124 can engage a mating edge of thedeck 32 of thecornhole board 1. It is disclosed herein that the present invention is not limited to a particular configuration of anti-rotation structure. For example, an anti-rotation structure in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention can be any suitable structure that engages a mating structure of the cornhole board to inhibit unrestricted rotation of the enclosure relative to the cornhole board. - Advantageously, in one or more embodiments, as best shown in
FIG. 7 , theairmail box 100 can have a truncated height such that a vertical distance D from thebottom surface 120 of theenclosure 102 to the gameplay deck 116 (i.e., the top surface) of thetop wall 110 at a centerline axis C of the gameplay target of theenclosure 104 is truncated by an amount approximately equal to a thickness T of thecornhole board 1 such as, for example, as defined by a gameplay equipment specification. Based on known gameplay equipment specifications, it is disclosed herein that the vertical height D is about 8 to 9 inches to achieve a desired regulation gameplay vertical position of thegameplay deck 116 at the centerline axis C of the gameplay target. In this manner, the vertical position of thegameplay hole 118 relative to a support surface engagingbottom face 32 of thecornhole board 1 is approximately the same as that of thegameplay hole 5 of thecornhole board 1 during regulation-gameplay thereof as defined by the gameplay equipment specification. Such same vertical position of thegameplay hole 118 of theairmail box 100 beneficially enables gameplay and practice of airmail gameplays with theairmail box 100 to be in accordance with regulation-gameplay with thecornhole board 1. - As best shown in
FIG. 6 , thetop surface 116 of thetop wall 110 can have an angular pitch P relative to thebottom wall 112 of theenclosure 102. In one or more embodiments, the angular pitch P is preferably approximately the same as an angular pitch of the gameplay surface of thecornhole board 1 during regulation-gameplay thereof. To this end, thetop surface 116 of theenclosure 104 relative to the support surface engagingbottom face 32 of thecornhole board 1 is an angular pitch defined by a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations when thebottom surface 120 of thebottom wall 112 of theenclosure 104 is engaged with thegameplay surface 20 of thecornhole board 1 and the support surface engagingbottom face 32 of thecornhole board 1 rests on thesupport surface 4. In preferred embodiments (e.g., in accordance with gameplay equipment specifications of known gameplay regulating organizations), the angular pitch P will be about 10 degrees. - Enclosures in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can include an opening for enabling gameplay articles (e.g., toss bags) to be removed from within the
interior space 114 of theenclosure 104. As best shown inFIGS. 4 and 6 , theenclosure 104 has acover 126 over an opening in theenclosure 104 that enables access into theinterior space 114. In one or more other embodiments, one or more walls of theenclosure 104 can include an opening for enabling access to theinterior space 114. For example, theend wall 108 defining the rear face of theenclosure 104 can be entirely or partially made from a material such as mesh, mat, cloth, or the like having a passage therein for allowing gameplay articles to be retrieved therethrough (e.g., through a slot/slit therein) from within theinterior space 114 of theenclosure 104. - In view of the disclosures made herein, a skilled person will understand that an airmail box configured in accordance with one or more embodiments enables a method of providing a target for achieving airmail gameplays. This target for achieving such airmail gameplays can be used for practicing such gameplays or for playing a cornhole game. The method of providing the target for cornholing airmail gameplays begins with a step of laying a cornhole board flat on a support surface with a gameplay surface thereof facing upward. The gameplay surface has a gameplay hole therein. Next, a step is performed for providing an airmail box configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention (e.g., the airmail box 100). Then, a step is performed for placing the airmail box on the gameplay surface of the cornhole board with a mounting structure of the airmail box engaged within the gameplay hole of the cornhole board.
- An airmail box configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be made using any suitable material. Plywood is an example of a suitable material as specified in a gameplay equipment specification of one or more gameplay regulating organizations. Airmail box configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be made using any suitable fabrication techniques. Laser cutting, mechanical cutting, gluing, nailing, threaded fastening, and the like are examples of suitable fabrication techniques.
- Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in all its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
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US16/687,743 US20210146210A1 (en) | 2019-11-19 | 2019-11-19 | Toss game targeting structure and method of using same |
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US16/687,743 US20210146210A1 (en) | 2019-11-19 | 2019-11-19 | Toss game targeting structure and method of using same |
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