Hoop toss game

Abstract

The invention generally relates to a game (G, G′, G″) requiring the use of manual dexterity and skill in projecting hoops, or rings ( 12 ), by one player in manner to slip each hoop ( 12 ) onto a distanced and immobilized target. The target ( 10, 10 a , 10 b ) comprises a main post ( 14, 14 a , 14 b ) adapted to be secured into or on the ground and a number of secondary hooks ( 16, 16 b ) extending from the main post ( 14, 14 a , 14 b ). The main post ( 14, 14 a , 14 b ) and the secondary hooks ( 16, 16 b ) are each adapted to be engaged by a properly thrown hoop ( 12 ). The main post ( 14, 14 a , 14 b ) and the secondary hooks, e.g. there are four secondary hooks ( 16, 16 b ) include vibration dampers ( 20 ) in order to reduce a hoop ( 12 ) accurately thrown thereon to bounce off the target member ( 10, 10 a , 10 b ). Four secondary hooks can be embodied in a pair of hook units ( 30, 31 ), each having two opposed secondary hooks ( 16 b ). The two hook units ( 30, 31 ) are capable of being relatively displaced from a cross-like configuration, i.e. game position of target member, to a collapsed configuration, i.e. storage position of target member ( 10 b ).

1 . A hoop toss game comprising a target member and at least one aerial projectile, said target member including at least one projecting catching element and a vibration damper provided on said catching element.  
   
   
       2 . The hoop toss game of  claim 1 , wherein said aerial projectile is a ring.  
   
   
       3 . The hoop toss game of  claim 1 , wherein said target member comprises a base member, a main post extending upwardly from said base member, and at least one secondary hook, said main post and said secondary hook each constituting a catching element, whereby said aerial projectile is adapted to engage at least one of said main post and said secondary hook.  
   
   
       4 . The hoop toss game of  claim 1 , wherein said vibration damper defines an enlargement with respect to said catching element.  
   
   
       5 . The hoop toss game of  claim 3 , wherein one said vibration damper is provided on said main post and said secondary hook.  
   
   
       6 . The hoop toss game of  claim 5 , wherein said vibration dampers are provided at upper free ends of said main post and of said secondary hook.  
   
   
       7 . The hoop toss game of  claim 3 , wherein there are provided four said secondary hooks extending outwardly from said main post, whereby there are five catching elements.  
   
   
       8 . The hoop toss game of  claim 7 , wherein said secondary hooks extend in diametrically opposed pairs from said main post.  
   
   
       9 . The hoop toss game of  claim 3 , wherein there are provided four said secondary hooks extending outwardly from said main post.  
   
   
       10 . The hoop toss game of  claim 9 , wherein one said vibration damper is provided on each said secondary hook.  
   
   
       11 . The hoop toss game of  claim 10 , wherein one said vibration damper is provided on said main post.  
   
   
       12 . The hoop toss game of  claim 7 , wherein said secondary hooks extend in diametrically opposed pairs from said main post.  
   
   
       13 . The hoop toss game of  claim 1 , wherein said target member comprises a base member, a main post extending upwardly from said base member, and four secondary hooks extending outwardly from said main post, at least each said secondary hook constituting a catching element, whereby said aerial projectile is adapted to engage at least one of said main post and said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       14 . The hoop toss game of  claim 13 , wherein said main post also constitutes a catching element such that there are five catching elements, whereby said aerial projectile is adapted to engage at least one of said main post and said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       15 . The hoop toss game of  claim 1 , wherein said target member comprises a base member and a main post extending upwardly from said base member, said at least one catching element comprising two hook units adapted to extend in cross-like fashion about said main post, each said hook unit having a pair of opposed secondary hooks, said hook units being relatively displaceable one relative to the other such that, for storage, said hook units can be positioned in a generally side-by-side and substantially parallel relationship, said main post and said secondary hooks each constituting a catching element such that there are five catching elements, whereby said aerial projectile is adapted to engage at least one of said main post and said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       16 . The hoop toss game of  claim 15 , wherein said aerial projectile is a ring.  
   
   
       17 . The hoop toss game of  claim 15 , wherein a first one of said hook units is fixedly mounted to said main post, whereas a second one of said hook units is displaceable along said main post for moving said target member between a game position and a storage position.  
   
   
       18 . The hoop toss game of  claim 17 , wherein said second hook unit is displaceable between lower and upper positions, wherein in said lower position a locking member of said second hook unit engages said first second hook unit with said first and second hook units being in said cross-like fashion and said target member being in said game position, and wherein in said upper position said locking member is released thereby allowing said first hook unit to be rotated relative to said main post and to said second hook unit and allowing said target member to assume said storage position.  
   
   
       19 . A hoop toss game comprising a target member and at least one aerial projectile, said target member comprising a base member, a main post extending upwardly from said base member, and four secondary hooks extending outwardly from said main post, said main post and said secondary hooks each constituting a catching element such that there are five catching elements, whereby said aerial projectile is adapted to engage at least one of said main post and said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       20 . The hoop toss game of  claim 19 , wherein said aerial projectile is a ring.  
   
   
       21 . The hoop toss game of  claim 19 , wherein a vibration damper is provided on each of said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       22 . The hoop toss game of  claim 21 , wherein said vibration damper defines an enlargement with respect to said secondary hook.  
   
   
       23 . The hoop toss game of  claim 19 , wherein a vibration damper is provided on said main post.  
   
   
       24 . The hoop toss game of  claim 23 , wherein said vibration damper defines an enlargement with respect to said secondary hook.  
   
   
       25 . The hoop toss game of  claim 19 , wherein a vibration damper is provided at upper free ends of each of said main post and said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       26 . The hoop toss game of  claim 19 , wherein said secondary hooks extend in diametrically opposed pairs from said main post.  
   
   
       27 . A hoop toss game comprising a target member and at least one aerial projectile, said target member comprising a base member, a main post extending upwardly from said base member, and two hook units adapted to extend in cross-like fashion about said main post, each said hook unit having a pair of opposed secondary hooks, said hook units being relatively displaceable one relative to the other such that, for storage, said hook units can be positioned in a generally side-by-side and substantially parallel relationship, said main post and said secondary hooks each constituting a catching element such that there are five catching elements, whereby said aerial projectile is adapted to engage at least one of said main post and said secondary hooks.  
   
   
       28 . The hoop toss game of  claim 27 , wherein said aerial projectile is a ring.  
   
   
       29 . The hoop toss game of  claim 27 , wherein a first one of said hook units is fixedly mounted to said main post, whereas a second one of said hook units is displaceable along said main post for moving said target member between a game position and a storage position.  
   
   
       30 . The hoop toss game of  claim 29 , wherein said second hook unit is displaceable between lower and upper positions, wherein in said lower position a locking member of said second hook unit engages said first second hook unit with said first and second hook units being in said cross-like fashion and said target member being in said game position, and wherein in said upper position said locking member is released thereby allowing said first hook unit to be rotated relative to said main post and to said second hook unit and allowing said target member to assume said storage position.