Patent Application
20080227557
The present invention relates generally to game tables and more specifically to a rotary game table, which provides a full size pool table; and an air powered hockey table, a gaming table or table soccer by rotation of a combination game table.
It appears that the prior art does not disclose a combination full size pool table and air powered hockey table in one rotatable structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,581 to Neuharth discloses a pivotable playing table. A billiard table is pivotally supported by two pedestals in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,564 to Tsai discloses an air system structure of rotary game table. A double sided game surface is pivotally retained in a game table base. The double sided game surface includes table soccer on one surface and an air powered hockey table on the opposite surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,797 discloses a game table with using modes convertible by way of rotation. A table body is pivotally retained in a table frame. The table body includes table soccer on one surface and a pool table on the opposite surface.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a rotary game table, which provides a full size pool table, an air powered hockey table, a gaming table, a table soccer game, or a ping-pong surface by rotation of a combination game table and manipulation of a securing device.
The present invention provides a rotary game that is rotated to provide two of the following, a full size pool table, an air powered hockey table, a gaming table or table soccer. A rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table includes a full size pool table surface formed on one side of the combination game table and an air powered hockey table surface formed on the opposite side. The size of the pool table surface is the same as a regulation size pool table. A plurality of pool ball pockets are formed in the pool table surface that are sized to receive normal sized pool balls. A net is preferably used to capture a billiard ball that falls into one of the pool ball pockets. However, other devices may be used to capture a billiard ball that falls into a pool ball pocket, such as a plastic molded pocket.
The air powered hockey table surface includes a plurality of air holes formed through the table surface. A diffuser plate is disposed below the air powered hockey table surface. An air blower is preferably retained in a sliding drawer between the pool table surface and the diffuser plate. An air hole is formed through the diffuser plate to receive an output of the air blower. The air blower draws air from inside the combination game table and pushes the air through the plurality of air holes. A puck slot is disposed on each end of the air powered hockey table to provide scoring in a game of air powered hockey.
Preferably, at least one accessory retainer is terminated on each end with a single side support member. The at least one cross member is also terminated on each end by a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by a single side support member on each end thereof. At least one locking pin device is disposed in each side support member. Each locking pin device is preferably spring loaded such that a spring pin is in a normally extended position. At least one pin cavity is formed in each end of the combination game table to receive the at least one locking pin. The at least one locking pin is withdrawn from the at least one pin cavity to allow the game table to be rotated. A separate locking pin may also be used that is withdrawn from each side support member.
A second embodiment of a rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, at least two pivotal support arms and at least one cross member. The combination game table is the same as in the first embodiment. Preferably, at least one accessory retainer acts as the at least one cross member. The at least one accessory retainer is terminated on each end with a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by one side support member on each end thereof. Each pivotal support arm is pivotally attached to one end of one side support member. The pivotal support arms are swung such that they are parallel with the side support members when rotating the combination game table. Each pivotal support arm is attachable to a single accessory retainer with any suitable quick release fastener. The at least one locking pin device may also be disposed in each side support member.
A third embodiment of a rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table is the same as in the first embodiment. The at least one cross member is terminated on each end with a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by one side support member on each end thereof. At least one locking pin device is disposed in each side support member.
A pivotal support arm may be substituted for the at least one locking pin device. Each pivotal support arm would be pivotally attached to one end of one side support member. The pivotal support arms are swung such that they are parallel with the side support members when rotating the combination game table. Each pivotal support arm is attachable to a single cross member with any suitable quick release fastener.
At least one of the two side support members is preferably configured to retain game accessories such as a plurality of billiard balls, cue sticks, a rack, a puck, and two hockey paddles. A plurality of game accessories is defined by at least two billiard balls.
A fourth embodiment of a rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table is the same as in the first embodiment. The at least one cross member is terminated on each end with a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by one side support member on each end thereof. Preferably, two support latches are in each side support member. One of the two side support members is preferably configured to retain game pool accessories such as a plurality of billiard balls, a rack and a brush, and the other one of the two side support member is preferably configured to retain hockey accessories such as two paddles and a puck.
A gaming table surface may be substituted for the air hockey table surface. The gaming table surface includes a gaming pocket formed in the combination game table and at least one gaming insert. The gaming insert is preferably retained with a plurality of lock clips. A dealer chip holder and player chip holders are also formed adjacent the gaming table surface.
A table soccer game may be substituted for the air hockey table surface. The table soccer game is preferably regulation size. The table soccer game includes a game cavity, a plurality of moveable rods and two rod retainers. The game cavity is formed below the surface of the combination game table. A first rod flange and a second rod flange form the side boundaries of the game cavity. The plurality of moveable rods are pivotally and slidably retained by the first and second rod flanges. A first rod retainer is pivotally attached to one side rail of the combination game table, adjacent the first rod flange and a second rod retainer is pivotally attached to an opposite side of the combination game table, adjacent the second rod flange. The first and second rod retainers reduce the amount of sliding of the plurality of moveable rods, when the combination game table is revolved.
A ping-pong surface may be formed on one side of a combination game table and a pool table surface, an air powered hockey surface, a gaming table or a table soccer game formed on the other side. A pair of net retainers are attached to the opposing sided of the combination game table at a middle thereof.
A fifth embodiment of a rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, two cross members, and two substantially U-shaped side members. The combination game table includes one of the pool table surface, air powered hockey surface, game table, table soccer game, and ping-pong surface on one side and one other of the above on the other side. Each cross member preferably has an “L” shaped cross section. One end of each cross member is attached to one of the two side support members and the other end of each cross member is attached to the other one of the two side support members. A first substantially U-shaped side member is attached to a first end of each side support member and a length of a first cross member. A second substantially U-shaped side cover member is attached to a second end of each side support member and a length of a second cross member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by the two side support members and rotatably secured by any of the previously disclosed retention devices. The side support members may be configured to retain appropriate accessories.
A sixth embodiment of a rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, two cross members, and at least two collapsible supports. The combination game table includes one of the pool table surface, air powered hockey surface, game table, table soccer game, and ping-pong surface on one side and one other of the above on the other side. One end of each cross member is attached to one of the two side support members and the other end of each cross member is attached to the other one of the two side support members. A pair of support latches are retained in at least one of the two side support members. The combination game table is pivotally retained by the two side support members and rotatably secured by the pair of support latches. A single slide bar is slidably retained within one of the two side support members, adjacent each support latch. One end of a pusher link is pivotally retained on an end of the support link of the support latch and the other end is pivotally retained on the slide bar. One end of a collapsible support is pivotally attached to the cross member. The collapsible support locks in place when the support latch is locked. The at least two collapsible supports increase the rigidity of the sixth embodiment of the rotary game table. The side support members may be configured to retain appropriate accessories.
A method for improving the rigidity of the side support member to cross member connection includes preferably at least eight threaded fasteners and at least eight traversely tapped cylinders. At least two cylinder holes are formed through the side of a single cross member at an end thereof. Each hole is sized to receive a single traversely tapped cylinder. Each traversely tapped cylinder includes a traversely tapped hole. At least two fastener holes are formed through a side of a single side support member at one end thereof. Each cross member is preferably tubular. The end of the cross member is retained against the side support member by tightening the at least two threaded fasteners in the traversely tapped holes.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary game table, which provides a pool (billiards) table; and an air powered hockey table, a gaming table or table soccer on a combination game table.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.
a is a cross sectional view of an electrical cord of an air blower routed through a pivot pin of a rotary game table in accordance with the present invention.
b is a cross sectional view of a male plug formed in an end or lengthwise frame member for receiving a female electrical plug to power an air blower of a rotary game table in accordance with the present invention.
With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to
A perimeter of the pool table surface 16 is preferably attached to an inside perimeter of the game frame 14 with threaded fasteners, but other attachment methods may also be used. The air powered hockey surface 18 is preferably attached to an inside perimeter of the game frame 14 with glue, but other attachment methods may also be used. Pool ball pockets 26 are formed in the end frame members 22, the lengthwise frame members 24 and the pool table surface 16. The pool ball pockets 26 are formed substantially through a height of the end and lengthwise frame members. Preferably, a net 28 is attached to a wall of each pool ball pocket 26 to capture a billiard ball that falls therein.
The air powered hockey table surface 18 includes a plurality of air holes 30 formed therethrough. A diffuser plate 35 is disposed below the air powered hockey table surface 18 such that an air gap 37 is maintained therebetween. The air blower 20 is preferably retained in a sliding drawer 34 between the pool and air powered hockey table surfaces. An air hole 39 is formed through the diffuser plate 35 to receive an output of the air blower 20. The air blower 20 draws air from inside the combination game table 10 and preferably through at least one air vent 41 formed through the frame 14. The air output from the air blower 20 flows through the air hole 39 into the air gap 37 created by the diffuser plate 35 and through the plurality of air holes 30 in the air powered hockey table surface 18. The drawer 34 is required to allow the air blower 20 to be removed from the combination game table 10 for replacement. A puck slot 36 is formed through each end frame member 22 to enable scoring in a game of air powered hockey.
At least one cross member 38 is preferably terminated by an end cap 40 on each end thereof. The end cap 40 is attached to an end of the at least cross member 38 and to one of the two side support members 12 with any suitable fastening method. Preferably, an end of at least one accessory retainer 42 is attached to one of the side support members 12 with any suitable fastening method. Each accessory retainer 42 includes an accessory trough 44. The accessory trough is configured to retain a plurality of game accessories such as a plurality of billiard balls, cue sticks, a rack, a puck, and two hockey paddles. With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
To rotate the combination game table 10, the pivotal support arms 64 are swung outward such that they are parallel with the side support members 12. The pivotal support arms 64 are swung inward to retain the combination game table 10 in a horizontal orientation. Each pivotal support arm 64 is attachable to a single accessory retainer 42 with any suitable quick release fastener 66. Quick release fasteners are well known in the art and need not be explained in detail. Use of the at least two pivotal support arms 64 eliminates the need for the use of locking pin devices 52 or locking pins 60. However, the locking pin devices 52 or locking pins 60 may also be used in conjunction with the four pivotal support arms 64.
With reference to
A hockey puck housing 70 is preferably attached to the support member 12. When a player is successful in scoring, a hockey puck 72 will fall into a puck tray 74 in the hockey puck housing 70. At least one ball tray 76 is preferably mounted to one of the two side support members 12 to retain a plurality of billiard balls 78. At least two pool cue racks 80 are preferably attached to at least one side support member 12. A rack holder 82 is preferably attached to one of the two side support members 12 to retain a rack 84. At least one paddle holder 86 preferably retains a single hockey paddle 88. To rotate the combination game table 10, at least one spring pin 56 of the at least one locking pin device 52 is withdrawn from the at least one pin cavity 58 to allow the game table to be rotated for storage or to change the game surface.
At least one locking pin 60 may be substituted for the at least one locking pin device 52. Further, the at least two pivotal support arms 64 of the second embodiment may also be substituted for the at least one locking pin device 52. Each pivotal support arm 64 would be pivotally attached to a single side support member 12 with at least one hinge or any other suitable pivotal retention device. Each pivotal support arm 64 would be attached to a single cross member 68 with any suitable quick release fastener 66. Quick release fasteners are well known in the art and need not be explained in detail. Four height adjustable feet 90 are preferably used to level the rotary game table 3. The four height adjustable feet 90 may also used on the rotary game table 1, 2.
With reference to
A hockey puck housing 96 is preferably attached to each side support member 92. When a player is successful in scoring, the hockey puck 72 will fall into a puck tray 97 in the hockey puck housing 96, disposed on each side support member 92. At least one ball tray 98 is preferably mounted to one of the two side support members 92 to retain a plurality of billiard balls 78. A rack holder 82 is preferably attached to one of the two side support members 12 to retain a rack 84. A paddle/puck holder 100 preferably retains the hockey puck 72 and two hockey paddles 88. Four height adjustable feet 90 are preferably used to level the rotary game table 4.
With reference to
A first latch opening 118 is formed through the first wall 93 to receive the outer periphery of the lever housing 112. A second latch opening 120 is formed through the second wall 95 to provide clearance for the movement of the support link 108. The latch lever 102 is preferably retained in the side support member 92 with at least two fasteners 122. The substantially rectangular opening 114 is sized to receive the latch lever 106. The latch lever 106 is pivotally retained by the latch frame 104 with a lever pin 122 or the like. The support link 108 is pivotally retained by the latch frame 104 with a support pin 124 or the like, adjacent the latch lever 106. One end of the latch link 110 is pivotally retained by the lever 106 with a first link pin 126 and the other end of the latch link 110 is pivotally retained by the support link 108 with a second link pin 128 or the like.
A slack adjuster 130 extends from a top of each support link 108. The slack adjuster ensures that the combination game table 10 does not rock or wobble, when both support latches 102 are in a locked position. The support link 108 is in a support position, when the support latch is in a locked position and the support link 108 is in a retracted position, when the support latch is in a retracted position. The slack adjuster 130 preferably includes a contact base 132 and a threaded rod 134 extending from a bottom of the contact base 132. The contact base 132 is preferably fabricated from a resilient material to prevent damage to the combination game table 10. A threaded hole is formed in the support link 108 to threadably receive the threaded rod 134. The slack adjuster 130 is rotated upward to prevent the combination game table 10 from pivoting relative to the two side support members 92. The combination game table 10 is rotated by retracting the two support latches 102 in at least one side support member 92. After the combination game table 10 is rotated to the opposite game surface, the support latches 102 are locked.
To retain the combination game table 10 in a vertical orientation, a pin hole would be formed through at least one side support member 92, similar to the pin hole 61 shown in
With reference to
A plate opening 148 is formed through the gaming plate 137 and a rim opening 150 is formed through the support rim 141 to provide clearance for a dealer chip holder 152. The plate and rim openings provide enough clearance for a dealer to insert their finger therethrough to retrieve chips from the dealer chip holder 152. The dealer chip holder 152 is attached to a side frame member 154 with any suitable attachment method. The dealer chip holder 152 retains a plurality of chips 156. Chip holders are well known in the art and need not be explained in detail. A chip cover 158 is preferably removably attached to a top of the plate opening 148 with any suitable method. A plurality of chip pockets 160 are formed in the gaming plate 137 to receive an individual player's chips.
With reference to
A first rod retainer 170 is pivotally attached to one side rail of the combination game table 162 with at least one hinge 176, adjacent the first rod flange 172. The second rod retainer 171 is pivotally attached to an opposing side rail of the combination game table 162 with at least one hinge 176, adjacent the second rod flange 174. The first and second rod retainers reduce the amount of sliding of the plurality of moveable rods 168, when the combination game table 162 is revolved. The first and second rod retainers pivot from a lowered position to a raised position. The first and second rod retainers are locked in a raised position with any suitable locking device, such as a latch. A first side pocket opening 178 is formed through the pool table surface 16, adjacent the one side rail and a second side pocket opening 180 is formed through the pool table surface 16, adjacent the opposing side rail. A ball net 182 is attached to a bottom of each side pocket opening 178, 180 with any suitable method to retain a ball during a game of pool.
With reference to
With reference to
The first substantially U-shaped side member 196 is attached to a first end of each side support member 192 and a length of the first cross member 194 with fasteners or the like. A second substantially U-shaped side member 197 is attached to a second end of each side support member and a length of a second cross member 195 with fasteners or the like. The attachment of the first and second cross members and the first and second substantially U-shaped side members to the two side support members 192 has the nonobvious result of not allowing the rotary table 5 to wobble. The combination game table 190 is pivotally retained by the two side support members 192 and rotatably secured by the spring pins 56, locking pins 60, support latches 102, or any other suitable device. The side support members 192 may be configured to retain appropriate accessories.
With reference to
A single slide bar 212 is slidably retained within one of the two side support members 206, adjacent each support latch 102. The slide bar 212 includes slider body 214. The thickness of the slider body 214 is preferably sized to be received by a pair of slider slots 216 formed on each side of a slider pocket 218. A first yoke 220 formed on a first end of the slider body 214 and a second yoke 222 is formed on a second end of the slider body 214. One end of a pusher link 224 is pivotally retained on an end of the support link 108 with a first pivot in 226 and the other end is pivotally retained in the first yoke 220 with a second pivot pin 228 on the slide bar 212. Each collapsible support 210 preferably includes a first locking arm 230 and a second locking arm 232. One end of the first locking arm 230 is pivotally retained in the second yoke 222 with a third pivot pin 234. The other end of the first locking arm 230 is pivotally attached to one end of the second locking arm 232.
A locking projection 236 is formed on the other end of the first locking arm 230 and a locking hook 238 is formed on an end of the second locking arm 232 to receive the locking projection 236. The combination of the locking projection 236 and the locking hook 238 improve the rigidity of the collapsible support 210 in a locking position. However other methods of locking the first and second locking arms may also be used. The other end of the second locking arm 232 is pivotally retained by the cross member 208 with a fourth pivot pin 240. The collapsible support 210 locks in place, when the support latch 102 is locked. The at least two collapsible supports 210 increase the rigidity of the rotary game table 6. The side support members 206 may be configured to retain appropriate accessories.
With reference to
The tapped hole 248 is formed traversely through the traversely tapped cylinder 244 relative to an axis thereof. The retention portion 250 is formed on one end of the traversely tapped cylinder 244 to prevent axial movement in one of both directions. The turning cavity 252 preferably has a hex shape, but other shapes may also be used, such as a rectangular slot. A turning projection (not shown) would extend outward from the retention portion 250. The turning projection would replace the turning cavity 252. The turning projection would preferably also have a hex shape, but other shapes may also be used. The end of the cross member 94, 208 is retained against the side support member 92,206 by tightening the at least two threaded fasteners 242 in the traversely tapped holes 248.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
This is a divisional application claiming priority to Ser. No. 10/884,764, filed on Jun. 2, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/768,512, filed on Jan. 29, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/455,666, filed on Jun. 5, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,409, filed Jan. 7, 2003.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10884764 | Jul 2004 | US |
| Child | 12127862 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10768512 | Jan 2004 | US |
| Child | 10884764 | US | |
| Parent | 10455666 | Jun 2003 | US |
| Child | 10768512 | US | |
| Parent | 10337623 | Jan 2003 | US |
| Child | 10455666 | US |
