The present invention relates to a game and, in particular, to a unique type of throwing game involving bouncing of thrown objects. Also, games such as tiddly-winks have been played for many years and such games are typified by some sort of "chip" of the game pieces which may thereby move forward to land successfully in a desired location. The present invention offers a novel and exciting means whereby the game pieces may be projected to a desired location.

According to the present invention there is provided a game comprising at least one game piece, bounding means off which the game piece will bounce after being thrown thereon by a player and at least one landing piece on which the game piece may land after bouncing off the bouncing piece.

Preferably, the bouncing means comprises a bouncing surface and a base support which is designed to be placed on a substantially horizontal surface, typically, the ground or floor of a room. In a preferred embodiment, the bouncing surface is disposed at an angle to the base support. The bouncing means may be collapsible. A further feature in a preferred embodiment of the base support is a frame in which the bouncing means is held and which is held, in use, at an angle to the base support and thus keeps the bouncing means disposed at the same angle. The angling of the bouncing surface with respect to the base support may be effected by hingedly securing the bouncing surface at its periphery to the base support so that it may be inclined with respect to the base support. One or more collapsible supports such as fold away legs may be provided to support the bouncing surface in the inclined position. The legs may be provided on the base support and/or at the periphery of the bouncing surface. The inclinable bouncing surface has the advantage, in use, of lifting the bouncing surface clear of the ground/floor on which the base sits so that it may resiliently deform, in use, without coming into contact with the ground, floor or base support. The bouncing frame

can be packed and stored flat to save space. A further advantage of the inclined surface is that it tends to impel the game pieces forward onto the floor or ground in front of the frame and, with sufficient skill from the player, onto a landing piece. Typically, in use, the angle of the bouncing means with respect to the ground or floor is between 0-90°. Preferably, the angle is between 10 and 80° . In the preferred embodiment, the angle is between 20 and 45°. Preferably the bouncing surface is resiliently deformable. It may be a trampoline. Typically, a surrounding frame having the same shape as the bouncing surface is provided. A bouncing surface having a continuously curved periphery such as an ovoid, oval or circular shape is preferred. This provides a bouncing surface to which a user can impel a game piece over a wide range of angles.

Typically, a plurality of landing pieces and game pieces are provided. The landing pieces may be arranged on the ground in front of the frame in a random arrangement, at a distance and spacing according to the skill level required. Scores may be printed on or assigned to each landing piece to increase the versatility of the game. The landing pieces are, typically, comprised of flat mats to minimise packing space. Preferably, the landing pieces are plastic such as vinyl. In a preferred embodiment, the game pieces mimic frogs and the landing pieces mimic pond leaves. The frame is in the form of a miniature trampoline and the player directs the frogs towards the trampoline and the trampoline impels the frogs off the surface of the trampoline. By a combination of skill and chance, the frogs may land on one of the landing pieces and a score may be taken.

The bouncing surface comprises, typically, a resiliently deformable fabric, such as lycra or nylon, held suitably taut by the surrounding frame but any suitable material may be used as long as it imparts sufficient rebound force to the game piece. The bouncing force required is determined

by the nature and thickness of the fabric and its degree of tautness as against the weight and size of the game piece. In the arrangement described below, the game pieces are in the form of stuffed fabric beanbags which bounce off the fabric trampoline but a similar effect could be produced if the bouncing means comprised a hard surface and resiliently deformable means were present in the game pieces to cause the game pieces to bounce off the hard surface. Nevertheless, the lycra like fabric and beanbag combination provides a harmless low bounce game which is peculiarly suitable for young children and adapted to fulfil the object of the game in bouncing onto nearby landing pieces.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1A shows a schematic plan view of a trampoline in accordance with the present invention.

Figure IB shows a schematic underneath view of the trampoline of Fig. 1A.

Figure 1C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the trampoline of Fig. IB along AA' .

Figure ID shows schematic side and front views of an assembled trampoline in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a set of game pieces according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a set of landing pieces in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to figures 1A-1D, a collapsible bouncing stand 2 has a frame 4 which defines an irregular ovoid ring. The hole formed by the ring is covered by a piece of lycra fabric 6 which is secured and held taut in the ring 4.

Frame 4 and lycra 6 form in effect a trampoline. The ring is divided into upper and lower halves 3A, 3B so that the lycra 6 may be placed over the lower half 3B with the tautness and the upper half 3A to hold the lycra in position. Screws in the lower part of the ring (not shown) are used to secure the two halves of the ring together. The ring 4 is inclinable with respect to a base 8 which is hinged to the front underside of the ring 4. The base 8 is the same shape as the ring 4 but defines a smaller cross- section which is approximately semi-circular and which is accommodated in a close fitting recess 11. Recess 11 is formed in and extends completely around the underside of ring 4. In its flat unextended position, base 8 is fully contained within the recess for ease of storage. The outer surface of base 8 is typically flush with the outer surface of lower half 3B. The hinge is formed by means of a tongue 10 which extends completely across a small part of the front portion of the recess and the base contained therein. In the region of the lounge 10, base 8 narrows slightly in a step wise manner. Due to this narrowing, the circular cross-section of the base and matching recess and the arrangement of the tongue with respect to the base, the tongue 10 allows the base 8 to be inclinable to a limited angle with respect to the frame. Two foldable legs 12, 14 are provided at the other end of the base with respect to the tongue 10. The legs, which are each hinged to the base at one end, can extend upwardly from the base to be slotted in accommodating grooves, formed at suitable points in the recess 11, at their other end, when the stand is in the inclined position. A connecting string 16 extends from the frame 4 to the rear position of the base 8 to prevent any inclination of the stand beyond the limit of rotation permitted by the hinge 10 and thus prevent any damage to the tongue or the stand at the limit of the inclination. String 16 also aids extraction of base 8 from recess 11 during assembly. Anti-slip pads 18, 20 and 22 are provided on the base of the tongue 10 and on the underside of the base, below the legs 12 and 14, to prevent slippage of the miniature trampoline in use. A small amount of slack is

provided in the string 16 when the inclined stand is in position so that the tops of the foldable legs may be lifted clear of the accommodating grooves (not shown) when the stand is to be folded into the recess. The legs 12, 14 fold inwardly with respect to the base to extend into the ring formed by the frame and base when in the folded position. Suitable channels 13 are formed in the inner lip of the recess 11 of the frame 4 to allow the legs to fold inwardly at right angles to the base without preventing the containment of the base 8 within the ringed recess 11 of the frame 4.

For aesthetic purposes the trampoline mimics the appearance of a large frog by having a pair of projecting eyes formed in the top of the ring and by having four legs extending from the outside of the ring at suitable points.

Referring to figure 2, a series of game pieces are provided which are comprised of a fabric beanbag body which is approximately two inches (50 mm) in diameter and has four legs and two rear legs, which extend from suitable points at the front and rear of the bag. A pair of eyes are provided on the front upper surface of the bag to complete the appearance of a frog.

Referring to figure 3, a series of vinyl pads or mats are provided which mimic the shape of a lily pad. The lily pads are arranged in front of the assembled trampoline and are spaced from each other to present a series of targets or areas to avoid for the game pieces. Game pieces are thrown by the user onto the trampoline. The game pieces bounce off the trampoline and land either on a lily pad or on the surrounding floor or ground. The lily pads may be spaced from each other to a greater or lesser extend depending upon the skill level required and they may also be placed further from or nearer to the trampoline for the same purpose. Each lily pad has a number imprinted thereon so that the game may be scored by the player or players. Any number of players may play the game and the rules may

vary. For instance, the aim of the game may be to score a high number of a particular number or to score the lowest number by avoiding the pads altogether.

In a typical game, the player or players will stand in front of the arrangement of lily pads which are themselves in front of the trampoline which is inclined towards the player. The frogs are then thrown into the trampoline and are bounced off onto the lily pads or onto the surrounding floor or ground and the game proceeds accordingly.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in a preferred embodiment, by providing a trampoline with a continuously curved periphery such as a circular, oval or ovoid periphery, the trampoline presents a useful bouncing surface to a user over a wider range of angles than if it had been square for example. The nature of the resultant bounce from the trampoline is also more consistent over a greater range of angles.

Also, where an ovoid shaped, inclined trampoline is provided this typically has the narrower end of the ovoid closer to the base section. This means that the broader part of the ovoid shaped trampoline provides the most prominent part of the bouncing surface available to the user. The rebound power provided by the broader region of the ovoid shape is normally greater than that provided by the narrower region.

The theme of the game ie. frogs and lily pads is not intended to limit the invention and it is obvious that other themes can be used without departing from the invention as described.