The present invention relates generally to game tables and, more particularly, to a multi-game collapsible game table.
Poker tables generally consist of a relatively flat surface with a felt or comparable material positioned thereover. In order to maintain the quality and condition of the cover material of the table as well as reduce any obstructions to game play, players often prefer some additional space away from the play surface for food and drink as well as poker chips or other win/loss indicators. Additionally, ancillaries associated with game play such as cards, dice, poker chips, and the like, should preferably be kept with the table in order to keep these related game-playing elements from being misplaced.
Another consideration of game table design is the collapsibility of the table system. These tables are often only used periodically and are frequently set up for game time and collapsed and stored shortly thereafter. It is often desirable to store the table in a minimum of space compared to the amount of space occupied by the table when it is set up.
Another consideration of game table design is game format. The game format is the table inlay or indicia provided on the game playing surface to aid in game flow. Several game formats that can be provided on the game playing surface include a roulette, craps, poker, cricket, dog track, and blackjack to name but a few. A variety of table inlays, each including distinct game indicia, positionable on the play surface provide for a multi-use game table.
It would therefore be desirable to have a game table and method of altering a game format that is quickly and simply collapsible and provides a plurality of interchangeable game formats.
The present invention is directed to a folding game table that solves the aforementioned problems. The game table has a plurality of table top portions pivotably connected to be movable between an extended position and a folded position. A table inlay is interchangeably secured across a play surface of the game table.
Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a folding game table is disclosed that includes a plurality of table top portions and at least one hinge connecting the plurality of table top portions and configured to permit each of the plurality of table top portions to move between an extended position and a folded position. The folding game table also includes at least one table inlay and at least one retention coupler configured to removably attach the at least one table inlay to the plurality of table top portions.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a table-top apparatus for playing multiple games is disclosed that includes a pair of table sections, means for connecting the pair of table sections to form a foldable table top, and a game mat. The apparatus also includes a coupler assembly engageable about a perimeter of the game mat and constructed to removably secure the game mat to the foldable table top.
In accordance with a yet another aspect of the present invention, a portable game table includes a first table member and a second table member pivotably attached to the first table member, the first and second table members moveable between an extended position and a collapsed position. A first rail is positioned about an edge of the first table member, and a second rail is positioned about an edge of the second table member. The portable game table includes at least one storage tray formed in at least one of the first rail and the second rail, the at least one storage tray having a lid pivotably attached thereabout, the lid having a closed position and an open position.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
Game table 10 includes a pair of table top sections 24 pivotably connected about a hinge axis 26. A leg assembly 28 includes a first set of legs 30 and a second set of legs 32 generally disposed at opposite ends of game table 10. Each set of legs 30, 32 includes a pair of legs 34, 36 and 38, 40, respectively. A brace 42 extends between legs 34, 36, 38, 40 of each set of legs 30, 32. A strap 44, or cable, extends under game table 10 between diagonally opposite legs of leg assembly 28. Such an orientation reduces interference of strap 44 with players positioned about game table 10 and forms a relatively robust support system of game table 10.
A bracket 46 extends between each set of legs 30, 32 and table top sections 24. Brackets 46 are constructed to allow each set of legs 30, 32 to be folded under table top sections 24 thereby collapsing game table 10 into a generally planar orientation without the legs extending perpendicularly therefrom. Additionally, a pocket 48 is formed into each table top section 24 generally proximate an axis of center of mass of each table top portion. The collapsed orientation of game table 10 is shown in
As shown in
To mount table inlay 20 to game table 10, table inlay 20 is placed on play surface 14 with rail 12 removed from game table 10. A plurality of holes 62 is formed in table inlay 20 to allow table inlay 20 to be coupled to a plurality of table inlay retainers 64. Table inlay retainers 64 are preferably hooks, pins, or clips and are attached to game table 10 about a perimeter 66 of table top sections 24. In a preferred embodiment, table inlay 20 is stretched tightly over play surface 14 to minimize wrinkles or slack in table inlay 20. Table inlay retainers 64 preferably maintain a stretched or taut position of table inlay 20 over play surface 14. Rail 12 is connected to game table 10 over table inlay 20. A plurality of apertures 68 is formed in table top sections 24 and is discussed further below with respect to
Table inlay 20 is removable for changing of game indicia 22 of side 20A and for folding of game table 10. Table inlay 20 may be removed from game table 10 by removing rails 16 from game table 10. With rails 16 removed, table inlay 20 may be de-coupled from table inlay retainers 64. Table inlay 20 can be turned over to reveal a different table inlay illustrated on the opposite side 20B or stored to expose game indicia 60.
A retaining system 90 is used to secure game accessories 71 in storage locations 79 of game table 10. Retaining system 90 includes a plurality of straps 91, for example, to secure box 72, roulette wheel 74, and table inlays 92, 94 in each respective storage location. Straps 91 may be made of a non-elastic material such as leather or webbing and may be connectable to game table 10 through the use of snaps, interlocking hook and loop fasteners, and the like. Straps 91 may also be made of an elastic material and may be permanently secured to game table 10. Retaining system 90 may also include forming the shapes of cavities 84 and 86 to closely match the shape of game accessories 76 and 78 such that friction secures game accessories 76 and 78 therein. Rubber, foam, or other similar material may also be placed in cavities 84 and 86 to secure the game accessories 76 and 78 therein. For example, rectangular-shaped cavity 84 may frictionally secure box 76 simply by pushing or pressing box 76 therein, and cavity 86 may frictionally secure craps stick 78 by pressing craps stick 78 into cavity 84.
As previously referred to,
Game table 120 includes a pair of table top sections 134 pivotably connected about a rotation axis 136. As shown in
To mount table inlay 130 to game table 120, table inlay 130 is placed on play surface 124 with retention couplers 122 removed from game table 120. Each of a plurality of holes 156 formed in table inlay 130 aligns with a corresponding opening 158 formed in table top sections 134. Retention couplers 122 have a plurality of quick-connect fasteners 160 attached thereto. Each quick-connect fastener 160 aligns with a corresponding hole 156 and engages game table 120 via a corresponding opening 158. In a preferred embodiment, quick-connect fasteners 160 couple to game table 120 via snap fit connections. Retention couplers 122 secure table inlay 130 to game table 120 when coupled to game table 120.
A cover 172 rotatably attaches to edge rail 128 and encloses recess 170 when positioned in a closed position. In this manner, cover 172 encloses game accessories placed in recess 170 such that the game accessories may be stored with game table 120. In this manner, the game accessories can remain with game table 120 when stored or transported to assist in preventing loss or misplacement of the game accessories.
A pair of rotation pins 174, 176 extend from cover 172 and are insertable into corresponding recesses 178, 180 formed in edge rail 128 to provide a rotation axis 182 about which cover 172 rotates. A pair of bosses 184, 186 formed in cover 172 are insertable into corresponding recesses 188, 190, respectively, formed in edge rail 128 to maintain cover 172 in a closed position. A recess 192 formed in edge rail 128 permits an object such as a finger to be inserted under a lip 194 of cover 172 to allow cover 172 rotation from a closed position to an open position.
A second recess 196 may be formed in edge rail 128 to hold objects such as a cup or food items. In this manner, recess 196 provides player positioning of drinks and chips off of play surface 124, improves the flow of the game, and maintains the cleanliness of play surface 124.
As illustrated by an assortment of depressions 205 formed in the bottom surface 202 of table 120, in one embodiment, table top sections 134 are formed from a plastic material using a blow molding technique. Forming table top sections 134 from plastic creates a lightweight, yet sturdy game table. However, table top sections 134 may be constructed of other processes and materials, such as wood, polypropylene, or recycled materials. The depressions 205 also add strength to bottom surface 202.
A plurality of bosses 204 extend from a bottom surface 202 of game table 120. Bosses 204 are used to raise game table 120 off a supporting surface and, preferably, minimize lateral movement of game table 120 when placed on the supporting surface. Bosses 204 are preferably constructed of a rubber material; however, other suitable materials may be used. Bosses 204 may also be formed in the bottom surface 202 of game table 120 such that bosses 204 are integral to game table 120. For example, bosses 204 may be formed during the blow molding process.
A card storage bin 206 formed in bottom surface 202 allows placement of a deck of cards therein for storing with game table 120. A card storage lid 208 encloses card storage bin 206 and keeps cards placed in card storage bin 206 together with game table 120. Alternatively, a card storage container may be formed in an edge rail 128.
Game table 120 provides a portable table system having compact storage. Game ancillaries such as poker chips, dice, and cards may be stored with the game table 120 in recesses 170. Covers 172 enclose recesses 170 to keep game ancillaries placed therein with game table 120 to reduce misplacement of the game ancillaries when not in use.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a folding game table is disclosed that includes a plurality of table top portions and at least one hinge connecting the plurality of table top portions and configured to permit each of the plurality of table top portions to move between an extended position and a folded position. The folding game table also includes at least one table inlay and at least one retention coupler configured to removably attach the at least one table inlay to the plurality of table top portions.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a table-top apparatus for playing multiple games is disclosed that includes a pair of table sections, means for connecting the pair of table sections to form a foldable table top, and a game mat. The apparatus also includes a coupler assembly engageable about a perimeter of the game mat and constructed to removably secure the game mat to the foldable table top.
In accordance with a yet another embodiment of the present invention, a portable game table includes a first table member and a second table member pivotably attached to the first table member, the first and second table members moveable between an extended position and a collapsed position. A first rail is positioned about an edge of the first table member, and a second rail is positioned about an edge of the second table member. The portable game table includes at least one storage tray formed in at least one of the first rail and the second rail, the at least one storage tray having a lid pivotably attached thereabout, the lid having a closed position and an open position.
The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.
The present application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority of U.S. Ser. No. 10/710,171 filed Jun. 23, 2004.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10710171 | Jun 2004 | US |
Child | 10908426 | US |