Patent Application
20220241677
The subject matter of the disclosure relates to modular multi-use surfaces and, more specifically, to convertible tables that may be used as surfaces to play popular social games such as “Beer Pong” and “Cornhole.”
Over the past few decades, certain social games have become increasingly widespread, especially on college campuses. Among these are two particularly popular games known as “Beer Pong” and “Cornhole.”
Beer Pong, also known as Beirut, is a game in which players throw a ping pong ball across a table with the intent of landing the ball in a cup partially filled with liquid (usually beer) on the other end. The game typically consists of opposing teams of two or more players per side with 6 or 10 cups set up in a triangle formation on each side. Each team then takes turns attempting to shoot ping-pong balls into the opposing team's cups. If a ball lands in a cup, the cup is removed from the table. In some versions, the contents of the cup are consumed by the opposing team as the cup is removed. The first team to eliminate all of the opponent's cups is the winner. Beer Pong requires the following equipment to play: two ping pong balls; 12-20 plastic cups; and an elongated surface, often a folding table.
Cornhole (also known as Bean Bag Toss, or simply Bags) is a lawn game in which players take turns throwing bags of corn (or bean bags) at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. A bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on remaining on the to surface of the platform after the round is over scores 1 point. Cumulative or differential scoring may be used. Play continues until a team or player reaches (or exceeds) the score of 21, with most scoring systems using a win-by-two format. Cornhole requires the following equipment: two sets of bags; two platforms.
Both Beer Pong and Cornhole are often played outdoors, for example, at tailgate parties, at the beach, or in parks. It is therefore often difficult and cumbersome to carry all the equipment necessary to play these games to the desired location, especially given the relatively large size of the surfaces required to play them. This is especially true at gatherings where both games will be played.
Thus, there is a need for a compact, easily portable system that is capable of conversion between distinct gameplay modes, for example, a system that is convertible between a Beer Pong table and a Cornhole set.
Furthermore, another limitation of conventional social game tables is that they exist in a fixed configuration in regard to their setup and design. Therefore, a table with modular components to adjust the design and configuration of the table would be a significant improvement in the art.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of modular game tables that have features that can be modified by removing insert panels from the tables and replacing them with other insert panels having different features. For example, one panel might comprise cup holders to help facilitate the playing of beer pong, while another panel might comprise holes to help facilitate the playing of cornhole.
In one embodiment, a modular game table comprises base table frame, comprising at least one receptacle portion configured to receive at least one insert panel, a first insert panel comprising a first configuration, and a second insert panel comprising a second configuration. The table is therefore configured such that it can transition between the first insert panel and its corresponding properties and the second insert panel and its corresponding properties.
These and other further features and advantages of the invention would be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the figures, in which:
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments incorporating features of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that devices and methods according to the present disclosure can be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specifically recited details.
Modular game tables incorporating features of the present invention can include a base table frame, including the frame alone, or the frame with table legs and a connectable and removable panel. The panel can include different textures, levels of friction or other physical features, like varying holes or game fields, that can affect the playable conditions of a social game like, for example, cornhole or can convert the table into different game “modes,” for example, “cornhole mode,” or “beer pong mode.” In some embodiments, a replaceable panel can comprise different dimensions and heights. In some embodiments, the replaceable panel can be utilized to convert the game table into another structure, such as a food table, a bar or a cocktail serving table. Alternatively to, or in addition to, the panel having different physical characteristics, the panel can have different designs, for example, logos/names of popular sports teams, a “happy birthday” message, etc. This way a single table can be altered via a modular panel, for example, the panel corresponding to the play space of the table in order to better reflect a particular social event, for example, a game night, or a birthday party.
The replaceable insert panel can be configured to connect to the body of the table frame via the top of the table frame, for example, as shown in
The replaceable panel can be configured to connect and disconnect from the table frame either directly, or through use of an intermediate connector structure. The replaceable panel can connect and disconnect from the table frame utilizing a variety of different connection mechanisms, including, but not limited to: snap-fit connections, friction-fit connections, size-fit connections, male-female connections, screws, nuts and bolts, fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop connections (e.g., Velcro®), slide-into grooves, threaded connections, or any known connection structure or configuration that allows for removable connectivity.
Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples illustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the term “invention,” “device,” “method,” “present invention,” “present device,” or “present method” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “method,” “present invention,” or “present device,” or “present method” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, for example, in 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112.
It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can be directly on or adjacent the other element or feature or intervening elements or features may also be present. It is also understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly attached, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,” “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Please note, if used, relative terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom'” “forward,” “reverse,” “clockwise,” “counter-clockwise,” “outer,” “inner,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “below,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms, have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.
Although ordinal terms, e.g., first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” when used herein, 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.
Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to different views and illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
It is understood that when a first element is referred to as being “between” or “interposed between” two or more other elements, the first element can be directly between the two or more other elements or intervening elements may also be present between the two or more other elements. For example, if a first element is “between” or “interposed between” a second and third element, the first element can be directly between the second and third elements with no intervening elements, or the first element can be adjacent to one or more additional elements with the first element and these additional elements all between the second and third elements.
An exemplary modular game table 100 is shown in
The modular game table can further comprise one or more panel inserts 106 (one shown), which can be freely connectable to and removable from the base table frame 102 utilizing various suitable connection configurations, including, but not limited to, snap-fit connections, friction, fit connections, adhesive-based connections, male-female complimentary portion connections and/or any known connection configuration. The panel inserts 106 can comprise various alternative desirable features, for example, various levels of friction to alter the difficulty of a game, various different holes or features to change the type of game the modular game table 100 is configured to play entirely (for example, beer pong to cornhole), the designs on the panel portion of the game table between various event-themes, holidays or sporting occasions, and other desired interchangeable variants.
In the embodiment shown in
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.
The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in any future appended claims, wherein no portion of the disclosure is intended, expressly or implicitly, to be dedicated to the public domain if not set forth in the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/091,231 entitled Modular Game Table, filed on Oct. 13, 2020, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63091231 | Oct 2020 | US |
