Tabletop game with lights

Abstract

The present invention provides a game having a playing surface illuminated by a lamp.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to tabletop games and, more particularly, to tabletop sports games, such as foosball, baseball, hockey, or the like, having a lights to illuminate the playing field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many arcade style tabletop games exists. Some of the more popular arcade style tabletop games simulate soccer (or football as it is known outside of the United States) and hockey. These games typically comprise a tabletop playing field that simulates the field and players of the actual game. While the below application refers to soccer simulations, a.k.a. foosball games, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other tabletop games can be substituted for foosball.

[0003] A foosball table includes rows of representative athletes, suspended like pendulums from control rods that are mounted transversely above a playing field. Players slide and rotate the control rods to make the athletes kick a small ball, attempting to score a goal. The representative athletes are suspended over a playing field that represents a traditional soccer field. Often times, the traditional field is modified in the corners to provide a slope so the foosball does not get caught in the corner.

[0004] While generally enjoyable in its own right, these tabletop games frequently are located in areas of the house having dim or little lighting. The reduced lighting often makes it difficult to play the game. Thus, it would be desirable to produce a tabletop game having additional features to increase the illumination of the tabletop game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a tabletop game is provided having at least one light to illuminate the playing surface.

[0006] The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are referred to using the same numerical reference.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a foosball game illustrative of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The present invention will be further explained with reference to FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, a representation of a soccer field 10 is generally illustrated by playing field 12. Playing field 12 may include various indicia including a regulation soccer field including, for example, goalie box, Center kickoff circle, center line, and the like (not specifically labeled), whimsical designs, or the like. Playing field 12 is surrounded by sidewall 14.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, a superstructure 20 exists over playing field 12. In this example, superstructure 20 includes a plurality of support posts 22 and a crossbeam 24. Attached to crossbeam 24 resides a plurality of lamps 26. Lamps 26 shine light on playing surface 12. Superstructure 20 is arranged so support posts 22 and crossbeam 24 will not interfere with users playing the shown foosball game. Thus, in this case, superstructure 20 is arranged length wise to playing surface 12 because player controls are arranged length wise along sidewalls 14. A tabletop hockey game, however, conventionally has player control arranged across the width of the sidewalls, so superstructure 20 would be arranged width wise. Of course, superstructure 20 could be arranged using a number of variations, including, for example, diagonally across playing surface 12, single support post 22 supporting crossbeam 24. A support post could support lamp 26 directly instead of attaching the lamp to the crossbeam. Multiple posts 22 (arranged at for example, each corner) containing a single lamp 26.

[0011] A power source (not specifically shown) would be used to power lamps 26. The power source could be a conventional wall socket or a battery installed on the foosball table. Cable would run from the power source through superstructure 20 to power lamps 26. Between the power source and the lamps, a power switch could be installed. The power switch could be either a simple on/off switch or a dimmer style switch.

[0012] Alternative to a superstructure, lamps 26 could be arranged in sidewall 14. For example, (as shown in phantom) lamps 26 could be placed at strategic intervals along a top edge 16 of sidewalls 14. Lamps 26 would provide light to the playing surface.

[0013] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiment(s) thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tabletop game, comprising: a playing surface; at least one superstructure; at least one lamp; and the at least one lamp is supported by the at least one superstructure such that the at least one lamp is arranged to illuminate the playing surface.

2. The tabletop game according to claim 1, wherein the tabletop game comprises at least one of a foosball game, a hockey game, a baseball game, a football game, and a basketball game

3. The tabletop game according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one sidewall.

4. The tabletop game according to claim 3, wherein the at least one superstructure comprises: at least one support post; at least one cross-beam; the at least one support post is coupled to the at least one sidewall; and the at least one cross-beam is coupled to the at least one support post such that the at least one lamp resides on the at least one cross-beam and is arranged to illuminate the playing surface.

5. The tabletop game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lamp comprises at least one of a halogen lamp, a florescent lamp, a filament lamp, a LASER, a light emitting diode, a liquid crystal display, a light string, and a chemical light.

6. The game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lamp comprises a plurality of lamps.

7. The tabletop game according to claim 1, further comprising a power switch.

8. The tabletop game according to claim 1, further comprising a dimmer switch.

9. The tabletop game according to claim 1, wherein the superstructure comprises at least one support post; and the at least one lamp is coupled to the at least one support post.

10. The tabletop game according to claim 4, further comprising at least a second support post such that the at least one crossbeam is supported by the at least one support post and at least the second support post.

11. The tabletop game according to claim 1, wherein the superstructure is arranged at least one of lengthwise, widthwise, and diagonal to the playing surface.

12. A tabletop game, comprising: a playing surface; at least one sidewall; the at least one sidewall adjacent the playing surface; at least one lamp; and the at least one lamp is supported by the at least one sidewall such that the at least one lamp is arranged to illuminate the playing surface.

13. The game according to claim 12, wherein the playing surface simulates at least one of a hockey game, a baseball game, a golf game, a football game, or a soccer game.

14. The tabletop game according to claim 12, further comprising a power switch.

15. The tabletop game according to claim 12, further comprising a dimmer switch.

16. The tabletop game according to claim 12, wherein the at least one lamp comprises at least one of a halogen lamp, a florescent lamp, a filament lamp, a LASER, a light emitting diode, a liquid crystal display, a light string, and a chemical light.

17. A tabletop game, comprising: a playing surface; and means for illuminating the playing surface.

18. The tabletop game according to claim 17, wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface comprises at least one superstructure.

19. The tabletop game according to claim 17, wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface comprises at least one lamp coupled to a sidewall adjacent the playing surface.

20. The tabletop game according to claim 17, further comprising means for controlling the means for illuminating.