CROSS- REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present PCT patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. Utility patent application 15/071,087 filed 15-MAR-2016 entitled "TABLETOP HORSESHOE GAME WITH SWINGING PROJECTING MEMBER" under 35 USC 111(a). The contents of this related Utility application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to amusement devices and, more particularly, to a tabletop horseshoe game in which the horseshoe is projected toward the target.

Description of the Prior Art

[0003] The game of horseshoes is a well known outdoor game which involves two opposing teams throwing horseshoes at ground mounted stakes set in a sandbox area. A problem which still exists, however, is that while the game of horseshoes typically played outside, it is generally not something which can be done in wet or excessively cold conditions. Thus, there remains a need for a tabletop horseshoe game which would provide a modified version of horseshoes that could be played indoors. It would be helpful if such a tabletop horseshoe game included a portable game board which included a fixed stake at one end and a launching pad at the other end. It would be additionally desirable for such a tabletop horseshoe game to include a swinging horseshoe projecting member which was operative to project a mini horseshoe element from the launching pad towards the fixed stake at a desired speed and angle. [0004] The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a tabletop horseshoe game adapted to allow a user to project a mini horseshoe element towards a fixed stake all from a single portable game board. The primary components in Applicant's tabletop horseshoe game are a game board base, a fixed stake, a launching pad, a projecting member, and a mini horseshoe element. When in operation, the tabletop horseshoe game enables a user to play a miniature version of the game of horseshoes in substantially any desired setting. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A tabletop horseshoe game for playing a horseshoes style game on a self contained game board. The tabletop horseshoe game comprises a game board base having a substantially planar playing surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, a horseshoe projecting mechanism adjacent to the proximal end, and a fixed stake across the playing surface towards the distal end. The horseshoe projecting mechanism, which in one embodiment defines a pendulum style projecting member and an elevated launching pad is operative to be swung toward a mini horseshoe positioned on the launching pad so that it contacts the mini horseshoe and launches it towards the stake at a desired velocity and angle so that it may encircle the stake or otherwise be moved to a position close to the stake.

[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide an extension bar for a tabletop horseshoe game which would provide a modified version of horseshoes that could be played indoors.

[0007] It is another object of this invention to provide a tabletop horseshoe game which includes a portable game board which included a fixed stake at one end and a launching pad at the other end. [0008] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a tabletop horseshoe game which includes a swinging horseshoe projecting member which was operative to project a mini horseshoe element from the launching pad towards the fixed stake at a desired speed and angle.

[0009] These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00010] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a tabletop horseshoe game built in accordance with the present invention.

[00011] Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of a launching pad of a tabletop horseshoe game built in accordance with the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00012] Referring now to the drawings and in particular Figures 1 and 2, a tabletop horseshoe game 10 is shown having a game board base 11 having a substantially planar playing surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. Adjacent to the proximal end of the game board base 11 is a horseshoe projecting mechanism, and across the playing surface towards the distal end is a fixed stake 12. While being positioned across the playing surface relative to one another, the horseshoe projecting mechanism and stake 12 are aligned linearly such that a mini horseshoe element 13 projected at a desired velocity and angle from the horseshoe projecting mechanism will contact the stake 12. [00013] In the preferred embodiment, the horseshoe projecting mechanism defines a fixed launching pad 20 and a swinging projecting member 30. The launching pad 20 defines a platform which has a launching surface elevated above the playing surface. The launching surface and includes two spaced apart track pins 21 positioned thereon adjacent to a back edge. As illustrated in Figure 1, a mini horseshoe element 13 built in accordance with the present invention may be positioned on the front edge of the launching surface, in front of the track pins 21, in order to be launched toward the stake 12 in accordance with the preferred embodiment.

[00014] The swinging projecting member 30 includes a vertical pole 31 which extends vertically from the playing surface and is positioned to the side of the launching pad 20, a horizontal pole 32 integral with the vertical pole 31 which extends horizontally to a position above and slightly behind the launching pad 20, and a ball and chain assembly which extends down from the horizontal pole 32 and includes a weighted ball 33 that forms a pendulum. Through the positioning and orientation of the swinging projecting member 30, the weighted ball 33 be manually pulled away from the launching pad 20 and released so as to swing over the launching pad 20, in between the pins 21, and contact a mini horseshoe element 13 positioned on the front edge of the launching surface, thereby launching the mini horseshoe element 13 towards the stake 12.

[00015] It is contemplated that in the preferred embodiment, the weighted ball 33 is sized such that it can pass in between the pins 21 without contacting either pin if it swung in an aligned direction. In this regard, it is appreciated that a mini horseshoe element 13 positioned on the front edge may be contacted at an optimal velocity by ensuring the weighted ball 33 passes clean through the pins 21 as it swings toward the mini horseshoe element 13. [00016] It is contemplated that the pins 21 are positioned such that if the weighted ball 33 is not swung in an aligned direction, the weighted ball 33 will contact one of the pins 21 and be knocked off course and/or slowed down. As a result, the weighted ball 33 would not optimally contact and launch the target mini horseshoe element 13 towards the stake 12.

[00017] In the preferred embodiment, the launching surface of the launching pad 20 is angled such that the back edge is lower than the front edge. It is appreciated that such a design allows the weighted ball 33 to remain close to the launching surface as it passes over the launching pad 20 in a pendulum manner.

[00018] In the preferred embodiment, the game board base 11 includes a retaining wall 14 which surrounds the portion of the playing surface which surrounds the stake 12.

[00019] It is appreciated that the tabletop horseshoe game 10 may be employed in a similar manner as conventional horseshoe games, with users scoring points by causing the mini horseshoe element 13 to encircle the stake 12 or otherwise be moved to a position close to the stake 12.

[00020] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.