Patent Application
20150335972
This Application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/285,493, filed May 22, 2014, entitled “Beer Pong Cup Holder,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to beer pong cup holders for playing the game of beer pong (also called Beirut).
Beer pong (also called Beirut) is a drinking game in which players throw a ball (e.g., a ping pong ball) across a table with the intent of landing the ball in an opponent's cup on the other end of the table. Although rules vary according to local customs, a typical game will involve two teams, each having one or more players (often two players per team), and each having a number of cups (e.g., 10 cups) arranged in a particular pattern (e.g., a triangle) and filled at least partially with a beverage (often beer, but non-alcoholic beverages can also be used). The teams take turns attempting to throw the ball into the opposing team's cups (an attempt is sometimes called a “shot”). When a shot lands in an opposing team's cup, the shot is said to be a “make” and the opposing team is required to consume the contents of the beverage cup and remove the beverage cup from play. For sanitation reasons, in some circumstances, a different cup (e.g., a clean cup, other than the beverage cup in which the ball landed) is used for the consumption. The object of the game is to remove, in the manner described above, all of the opposing team's cups from play.
Many variations of Beirut exist. For example, in accordance with some rules, a team's cups are “re-racked” at certain times. For example, when a team has four remaining cups out of an original 10, some rules dictate that the four remaining cups should be rearranged to form a diamond. Other rule variations may admit to differences from the general outline of the game description given above.
As described in greater detail below, beer pong is often played in dimly lit environments (e.g., parties). It can be difficult to see the beverage cups, and hence difficult for players to aim their shots.
Disclosed are beer pong cup holders that overcome the above mentioned difficulties experienced when playing beer pong. In particular, the beer pong cup holders described herein illuminate, at least partially, beverage cups used in the game of beer pong, and thus make it easier for players to aim their shots. In addition, the beer pong cup holders described herein are inexpensive, durable, portable, and provide enhanced visual effects (e.g., through the use of ultraviolet (UV) illumination, which can cause game objects such as balls and cups to “glow”).
In particular, to address the aforementioned problems with conventional equipment used for beer pong (e.g., a dining room table), the disclosed embodiments provide a beer pong cup holder that includes a frame for containing beverage cups. In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder is free-standing, while in other embodiments, the beer pong cup holder is incorporated into a playing surface of a beer pong table. In any event, the frame includes one or more segments. The one or more segments, continuously or discontinuously, collectively define an inner region of the beer pong cup holder. The beer pong cup holder also includes an illumination device disposed on or within the one or more segments that is arranged to shine light at least toward the inner region of the beer pong cup holder.
In some embodiments, the one or more segments include an inner wall and an outer wall. The respective inner walls of the one or more segments define the inner region of the beer pong cup holder and the illumination device is disposed between said inner wall and said outer wall of the one or more segments.
In some embodiments, the illumination device also includes an assembly arranged between said inner surface and said outer surface. The assembly includes a light source and circuitry for providing power to said light source. In some embodiments, the light source and the circuitry for providing power to said light source are mounted with the assembly such that, when the beer pong cup holder is placed on a table for use, the light source and the circuitry for providing power to said light source are elevated from the surface of the table. In some embodiments, the light source is one of a cold cathode or a light emitting diode (LED) strip. In some embodiments, the light source is an ultraviolet light source and the light is ultraviolet light.
In some embodiments, the inner wall and the outer wall are made from a material that is substantially transparent to the light.
In some embodiments, the inner region is substantially triangular. In some embodiments, the one or more segments comprise a plurality of straight segments. In some embodiments, the inner wall and the outer wall are coupled by a top wall. In some embodiments, the inner wall, outer wall, and top wall are continuous in cross-section and formed from extrusion of a material from which they are made.
In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder is arranged to contain a plurality of beverage cups within the inner region, each of the beverage cups having a top rim. The illumination device is arranged to shine the light toward the top rim of each of the plurality of beverage cups.
In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder also includes a plurality of second light sources arranged within the inner region. The plurality of second light sources is located between said beverage cups when the beverage cups are of a predefined size and arranged at a maximum capacity of beverage cups within the inner region of the beer pong cup holder. In some embodiments, the plurality of second light sources shines light substantially upward toward the rim of said beverage cups.
To address the aforementioned problems with conventional equipment used for beer pong, the disclosed embodiments provide another beer pong cup holder that includes a panel having a top surface. The top surface has a plurality of visual indicia, each indicating a respective location on which to position a beverage cup of a predefined size. Each of the beverage cups has a rim. The beer pong cup holder also includes a plurality of light sources coupled with the panel and arranged such that, when said beverage cups are arranged on the surface in accordance with the visual indicia, the light sources of the plurality of light sources are positioned between the beverage cups and shine light upward toward the rims of the beverage cups.
In some embodiments, the visual indicia are embodied as relief in the surface of the panel. In some embodiments, the visual indicia are embodied as visual markings on the surface of the panel.
In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources includes a light source position halfway between geometric centers of each pair of respective locations on which to position a beverage cup of predefined size.
In some embodiments, the plurality of visual indicia includes visual indicia corresponding to 10 beverage cup locations. In some embodiments, the 10 beverage cup locations are arranged in a triangular manner. In some embodiments, the 10 beverage cup locations are arranged in a first row of four cups, a second row of three cups, a third row of two cups, and a fourth row of one cup.
In some embodiments, the panel is a playing surface of a beer pong table.
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Beirut is a popular drinking game at parties, which are often held in a dimly lit atmosphere. Because players need to be able to see their targets in order to effectively aim, it is helpful to illuminate at least the tops (e.g., rims) of the beverage cups, if not the entire table. The embodiments described herein address the problem of beverage cup illumination in a manner that is cost effective, durable, convenient, affordable, and compatible with “enhanced visual effects” (e.g., fluorescent visual effects) that are popular at parties and other situations in which Beirut is played. To that end, a number of approaches can be employed to illuminate at least the tops of the beverage cups used for Beirut. One approach is overhead illumination, for example, with an ultraviolet (UV) lamp (a so-called “black light”) that provides a “glowing” effect to the table and cups. But this approach requires time and effort to install, is not easily portable, and can be exceedingly costly. Another approach, in accordance with some embodiments, is to provide illumination from underneath the beverage cups. The problem with this approach is that when beer is illuminated, particularly in a dark environment and even more particularly by ultraviolet (UV) light, the resulting color is unattractive and unsightly.
The embodiments described herein provide a beer pong cup holder (e.g., a rack) that avoids the problems associated with conventional equipment used for beer pong. To this end, some embodiments of the beer pong cup holder include a frame made up of one or more segments. The segments collectively define an inner region (e.g., the inner region takes on a triangular shape seen often in billiard racks that provide an arrangement of billiard balls similar to the arrangement of cups used for beer pong). In some embodiments, an illumination device is disposed on or within the one or more segments, as described in greater detail below. The illumination device shines light (e.g., UV light) toward the inner region where, in use, cups are placed. Specifically, in some embodiments, the illumination device shines light directionally toward the location of the tops of the beverage cups. The light is shone primarily on the tops of the beverage cups so as to illuminate the tops of the beverage cups without excessively illuminating the beverage and causing the unsightly appearance noted above. While, in some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder is built into (e.g., mechanically incorporated into) a beer pong table, in other embodiments, the beer pong cup holder is a free-standing, light weight beer pong cup holder (analogous to a billiard rack) and is thus portable, inexpensive, and hassle-free (e.g., does not require extensive setup, as might an overhead illumination setup).
As used herein, the terms “holder,” “frame,” and “rack” all refer to a framework on or in which articles (e.g., beverage cups) are placed. In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder provides structural support to engage and/or grasps cups used in a game of beer pong (e.g., depressions into which the beverage cups are placed, which provide a snug or secure fit for the beverage cups). In some embodiments, the beer pong cup holder includes visual indicia indicating proper placement of the beverage cups (e.g., first visual indicia indicating an initial placement and second visual indicia indicating a “re-rack” placement, as described with reference to the background section above).
Reference will now be made in detail to various implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure and the described implementations herein. However, implementations described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and mechanical apparatus have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the implementations.
In some embodiments, the segments discontinuously define the inner region, meaning that the segments do not entirely encompass the inner region (i.e., there are one or more gaps between respective segments). For example, in some embodiments, the segments are fastened to a beer pong table in the shape of a triangle with gaps between the various segments. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the segments are connected by a non-rigid electrical wire, such that the non-rigid electrical wire results in gaps between the segments. In some embodiments, the one or more segments comprise a single circular segment that is continuous (i.e., has no gaps).
The standard beverage cups 106 shown in
As an example, in some embodiments, beer pong cup holder 100 is configured (e.g., the dimensions are sized) so as to contain the described arrangement of beverage cups when the beverage cups are 16-ounce “red cups” produced by the Solo Cup Company, or a similar “generic” beverage cup. Although such beverage cups are described as “red cups” for the sake of explanation, the beverage cups are not typically part of beer pong cup holder 100 and can therefore be any color, or can be clear (e.g., transparent), or can be largely transparent and coated with a fluorescent material (e.g., so as to “glow”) and/or a phosphorescent material (e.g., so as to “glow-in-the-dark”).
As shown in inset 116, beer pong cup holder 100 also includes an illumination device 122 disposed within the segments 102. Illumination device 122 is arranged to shine light 118 at least toward the inner region defined by the one or more segments. More specifically, in some embodiments, each beverage cup has a top rim and illumination device 122 is arranged to shine the light toward the top rim of each of the plurality of beverage cups. This arrangement, in which the light is primarily shone from the sides or edges of the beer pong cup holder 100 inwardly toward the beverage cups, is referred to as “side of cup illumination.”
In some embodiments, illumination device 122 is arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously toward the inner region defined by the one or more segments. The terms “persistently” and/or “continuously” are used herein to indicate that light is shone toward the inner region while beer pong cup holder 100 is in use. In some circumstances, beer pong cup holder 100 is considered “in use” when a player is aiming at beer pong cup holder 100 and/or when the player is shooting at beer pong cup holder 100. To that end, in some embodiments, illumination device 122 is arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously toward the inner region for a predefined amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes or 1 hour). In some embodiment, illumination device 122 is arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously toward the inner region until illumination device 122 is turned off (e.g., by a switch).
In some circumstances, the top rims of the beverage cups may be coated with or otherwise incorporated with a fluorescent material that “glows” when ultraviolet light is shone on it, thus providing an enhanced visual effect that allows players to more clearly see their target (e.g., the top rims of the beverage cups). In some embodiments, the one or more segments include an inner wall 108 and an outer wall 110. The respective inner walls 108 of the one or more segments define the inner region of beer pong cup holder 100 and illumination device 122 is disposed between inner wall 108 and outer wall 110. In some embodiments, illumination device 122 includes an assembly 120 arranged between inner surface 108 and outer surface 110, one or more light sources 104, and circuitry (not shown) for providing power to light sources 104. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, LEDs 104 are ultraviolet LEDs, meaning that LEDs 104 produce light 118 having a wavelength in the ultraviolet range of 100-450 nanometers (nm). Alternatively, LEDs 104 comprise LEDs of any color (e.g., red, green, yellow, blue). In some embodiments, the LEDs 104 comprise multi-color LEDs. In some embodiments, a user (e.g., a play of the game) can select a color to display using an affordance (such as a button) coupled to a processors that controls the display of LEDs 104 (thus, in some embodiments, beer pong cup holder 100 includes a processor, sometimes called a “microprocessor”). In some embodiments, LEDs 104 transition through a predefined sequence of colors and/or illumination states (or a respective user selected predefined sequence of a plurality of pre. For example, LEDs 104 may illuminate in a temporally shifting circular pattern to give the impression of “a wave.”
In some embodiments, LEDs 104 are SMD LED modules (where SMD stands for surface mounted diode, meaning that such diodes are manufactured using surface mount technology). A variety of SMD LED sizes can be used for LEDs 104 in accordance with a variety of implementations. For example, in various embodiments, LEDs 104 are: 5050 SMD LEDs (5.0 mm×5.0 mm LEDs); 3528 SMD LEDs (3.5 mm×2.8 mm LEDs); 3020 SMD LEDs (3.0 mm×2.0 mm LEDs); 5630 SMD LEDs (5.6 mm×3.0 mm LEDs); or 2835 SMD LEDs (2.8 mm×3.5 mm LEDs). In some embodiments, the LEDs 104 are configured to operate at a predefined working voltage (e.g., 12V). This relatively low-voltage, which can be provided by common batteries (e.g., AA batteries) in series, provides an additional level of safety-of-use.
Although beer pong cup holder 100 is shown as a free-standing beer pong cup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 100 is mechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. In addition, beer pong cup holder 100 optionally includes any of the features of the beer pong cup holders described with references to any of the other figures, although such features may not be shown in
In addition, inset 216 in
In embodiments that make use of ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light can charge a printed ink or paint infused with glow powder (translucent, transparent, or opaque) thereby causing the glow powder to emit visible light, charge a plastic or rubber (like PU) infused with glow powder thereby causing the glow powder to emit visible light, or illuminate a fluorescent color ink, paint, plastic, rubber, etc., thereby causing the fluorescent color ink, paint, plastic, or rubber to emit a visible light. For example, as shown in inset 218, in some embodiments, a respective wall (e.g., in this case inner wall 108) is printed, embedded, or otherwise impregnated with a fluorescent or phosphorescent material in any of these manners with a graphical design 220 (e.g., the words “Glow Pong”), such that the graphical design 220 emits visible light and thereby “glows.” In some embodiments, the graphical design 220 is “aimed” toward the location where the beverage cups are placed when in use, so that the visible light emitted by the graphical design is shone (e.g., projected) onto the beverage cups placed therein.
Regarding fluorescence, this type of luminescence occurs when some form of radiation, such as ultraviolet light, causes an object to glow. For example, fluorescent papers and poster boards glow in the daylight. They may seem to glow even brighter under black light (ultraviolet), but in either case, as soon as the light is removed, the glow stops. Fluorescent objects do not glow in the dark all by themselves; they require some other form of energy such as ultraviolet light to “excite” them. One manufacturer of suitable fluorescent pigments that can be used in the disclosed embodiments is Glow, Inc. Severn, Md.
In some embodiments a phosphorescent compound is used. Phosphorescence is just like fluorescence, except that the glow continues even after the light used to excite it is removed. “Glow-in-the-dark” toys phosphoresce brightly in total darkness after being “charged” or excited by ordinary white or ultraviolet light. Glow powder works by absorbing surrounding light energy and then releases that energy when the lights go out. Glow powder is typically made with zinc sulfide or other materials like strontium aluminate pigments. In some embodiments, light source 204 is used to charge a phosphorescent compound that is part of beer pong cup holder 200 (e.g., graphical design 220) or a phosphorescent material that is not part of beer pong cup holder 200. For example, in some embodiments, the beverage cups are at least partially printed with a phosphorescent material (e.g., a graphical design is printed on the beverage cups with a phosphorescent material, or the top rims of the beverage cups are printed with a phosphorescent material). Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the ball used in the beer pong game is printed with a phosphorescent material (e.g., in some circumstances, a set of beverage cups and balls having such properties is marketed with beer pong cup holder 200). In these embodiments, light source 204 charges the phosphorescent portions of the ball and/or beverage cups. This is advantageous in the case of beverage cups because, for example, the top rims of the beverage cups will glow more uniformly in these embodiments, and, in the case of the ball, the ball will glow when being thrown or shot by a player.
In some embodiments, graphical design 220 is a cyan-magenta-yellow-key (CMYK) graphic. In some embodiments, graphical design 220 is transferred onto the inner wall 108 using hydrographics, also known as water transfer imaging. In one such process, the inner wall 108 is pre-treated and a base coat material is applied. A polyvinyl alcohol film is gravure-printed with an image of graphical design 220 to be transferred, and is then floated on the surface of a vat of water. An activator chemical is sprayed on the film to dissolve it into a liquid and activate a bonding agent. Inner wall 108 is then lowered (e.g., together with the outer wall 110 and top wall 224) into the vat, through the floating ink layer, which wraps around and adheres to it. After removing inner wall 108 from the water, a top coat is applied to protect the design. A kit for performing such a transfer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,239, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
In some embodiments, although not shown, beer pong cup holder 200 further includes a plurality of second light sources arranged within the inner region. The light sources of the plurality of second light sources are located between the beverage cups when the beverage cups are of predefined (e.g., standard) size and arranged at maximum capacity.
Although beer pong cup holder 200 is shown as a free-standing beer pong cup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 200 is mechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. In addition, beer pong cup holder 200 optionally includes any of the features of the beer pong cup holders described with references to any of the other figures, although such features may not be shown in
Typically, each of the beverage cups has a rim 310 (e.g., a top rim). Further, beer pong cup holder 300 also includes a plurality of light sources 312. For the sake of visual clarity, only selected light sources 312 are labeled with a reference number (e.g., light sources 312-a, 312-b, and 312-c). Also, in some embodiments, the second light sources described with reference to
Further, in some embodiments, visual indicia 306 are embodied as relief in top surface 304 of panel 302. In some embodiments, the relief in top surface 304 of panel 302 also serves as a mechanical holder for the beverage cups, in that it provides a snug or secure fit for the beverage cups. Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, visual indicia 306 are embodied as visual markings (e.g., objects such as circles, crosses, logos, icons, or “bulls-eye” targets). In some embodiments (not shown), the panel is a beer pong table (e.g., beer pong cup holder 300 is incorporated into the surface of a beer pong table).
Light sources 312 can be arranged in any number of ways. Typically, to avoid the problem of unsightly illumination of beer, light sources 312 are disposed on top surface 304 at locations other than those locations upon which beverage cups rest when the beverage cups are placed in accordance with visual indicia 306. For example, in some embodiments, light sources 312 are disposed in between the respective locations of the beverage cups when the beverage cups are placed in accordance with visual indicia 306 (e.g., the plurality of light sources includes a light source positioned halfway between geometric centers of each pair of respective locations on which to position a beverage cup of predefined size). In this manner, the light is shone upwardly from the side of each beverage cup, and is thus referred to as “under side of cup illumination.” Such embodiments are advantageous because, by positioning the light sources between the beverage cups when in use, the problem of unsightly illumination of beer is mitigated.
In some embodiments, light sources 312 are arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously. The terms “persistently” and/or “continuously” are used herein to indicate that light is shone toward the inner region while the beer pong cup holder is in use. In some circumstances, a beer pong cup holder is considered “in use” when a player is aiming at the beer pong cup holder and/or when the player is shooting at the beer pong cup holder. To that end, in some embodiments, light sources 312 are arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously for a predefined amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes or 1 hour). In some embodiment, light sources 312 are arranged to shine light persistently and/or continuously until light source 312 are turned off (e.g., by a switch).
Although beer pong cup holder 300 is shown as a free-standing beer pong cup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 300 is mechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. In addition, beer pong cup holder 300 optionally includes any of the features of the beer pong cup holders described with references to any of the other figures, although such features may not be shown in
Although beer pong cup holder 400 is shown as a free-standing beer pong cup holder, in other embodiments, beer pong cup holder 400 is mechanically coupled to or incorporated into a beer pong table. In addition, beer pong cup holder 400 optionally includes any of the features of the beer pong cup holders described with references to any of the other figures, although such features may not be shown in
Although the current embodiments have generally been described with reference to a beer pong cup holder, the ideas described above are equally applicable to any sort of frame. For example, it is envisioned that the principles described above could be used to illuminate beverage cups on any sort of table (e.g., a bar table). It is also envisioned that the principles described above could be used to illuminate beverage cups on any sort of beverage cup holder (e.g., a holder that restaurant servers use to transport and serve beverages to a table). Therefore, stated more generally, the present disclosure is intended to support claims for an apparatus that includes a frame for containing objects, where the frame includes one or more segments that continuously, or discontinuously, collectively define an inner region of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes an illumination device disposed on or within the one or more segments and arranged to shine light at least toward the inner region of the apparatus and thus toward the objects. Further, in accordance with a wide variety of embodiments, the apparatus can optionally have or include any of the features of the beer pong cup holder described here.
The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first wall could be termed a second wall, and, similarly, a second wall could be termed a first wall, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first wall” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second wall” are renamed consistently. The first wall and the wall are both walls, but they are not the same wall.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a stated condition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent is true]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “upon a determination that” or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting” or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14285493 | May 2014 | US |
| Child | 14289299 | US |
