Game apparatus

Abstract

A game apparatus includes a pair of ramps, each ramp having a first surface for rolling a game ball and a second surface including at least one target for receiving a game ball. The ramps can be positioned such that a player can roll a game ball on the first surface of one ramp with the goal of hitting a target on the second surface of another ramp.

1 . A game apparatus comprising:
 at least one game ball;   a pair of ramps, each ramp having a first surface for rolling a game ball, the first surface having a near end and a far end, the far end having a straight edge, and a second surface including at least one target for receiving a game ball, the first surface and the second surface being joined along a straight edge and forming an angle from about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees.   
     
     
         2 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one target portion comprises an aperture formed in the second surface, the aperture having a diameter greater than the diameter of the at least one game ball. 
     
     
         3 . The game apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one target portion comprises a plurality of circular apertures formed in the second surface, each circular aperture having a different diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The game apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the second surface has a generally vertical centerline, and the plurality of circular apertures is centered on the centerline. 
     
     
         5 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first surface slopes upward from the near end to the far end. 
     
     
         6 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first surface slopes upward at an angle of from about 5 degrees to 20 degrees from the horizontal. 
     
     
         7 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the angle formed by the first and second planar surfaces is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first surface is generally planar. 
     
     
         9 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the height of the near end of the first surface is from about 12 to 30 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is formed from weather-resistant materials. 
     
     
         11 . The game apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first surface comprises a near section and a far section, the far section extending generally upward from the near section, 
     
     
         12 . The game apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the near section and the far section are generally planar. 
     
     
         13 . The game apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the far section extends from the near section at an angle of about 27 to 35 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . A method of using a game apparatus by at least one game player, the method comprising:
 providing a pair of ramps, each ramp having a first surface for rolling a game ball, the first surface having a near end and a far end, the far end having a straight edge, and a second surface including at least one target for receiving a game ball, the first surface and the second surface being joined along a straight edge and forming an angle from about 90 degrees to about 110 degrees;   positioning the at least two ramps such that the at least two ramps are aligned along a common axis, and separated by a gap, the far ends of each ramp being positioned proximate one another;   providing at least one game ball;   the at least one player rolling the at least one game ball up a first ramp such that the ball traverses the gap between two ramps and lands upon the second ramp;   noting the point score each time the at least one game ball falls through the at least one aperture;   calculating a cumulative point score for the at least one player.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein at least two players take turns rolling the at least one game ball, each turn comprising at least one roll. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the at least two players roll from opposite ends of the game apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein two teams of at least two players each take turns rolling the at least one game ball. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  further comprising providing at least one ball distinguishable as being associated with each team. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  further comprising providing three balls for each team.