US20090091086A1

US20090091086A1 - Game table with a level indicating device

Info

Publication number: US20090091086A1
Application number: US11/973,523
Authority: US
Inventors: Luke E. Debevec; David Fitzgibbon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-09
Filing date: 2007-10-09
Publication date: 2009-04-09

Abstract

Certain game tables requiring a level playing surface for an unbiased playing experience. However, due to physical motion and natural settling most game tables pitch and roll change over time, thereby developing a table bias. Most of the time a player would not know if and when a table bias was affecting their game. Therefore a player could never be sure that they were engaged in an entirely fair competition. This is very unsatisfactory. I propose incorporating a level indicating device into a game table so that a player will always be assured that the playing surface is in an equilibrium orientation. Alternatively if bias were to occur it could be easily identified and corrected through use of the level-indicating device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

Not Applicable

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to games and particularly game tables. A game table is a piece of furniture shaped generally like a table, where the top provides a surface for playing a game. Conventional game tables include billiards, foosball, airhockey, etc.
More particularly, the present invention relates to game tables requiring an exactly level playing surface for an unbiased playing experience. An unbiased playing experience occurs when the game play or outcome is not influenced by the pitch or roll of the table. To prevent the table's pitch or roll from influencing the game play or outcome the game table must be in an equilibrium orientation. For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a game table whose pitch and roll may be determined and adjusted if needed.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for a game table whose pitch and roll may be determined and adjusted if needed. A game table having features of the present invention comprises a housing unit which provides a surface for playing a game supported on one or more legs or other supports, and a level indicating device for determining the pitch and roll of the playing surface connected to the housing unit. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

DRAWINGS

Not applicable

DESCRIPTION

The game table of the present invention includes a housing unit which provides a surface for playing a game. The housing unit is supported on and connected to a support structure. Connected to the housing unit is a level indicating device, which allows the pitch and roll of the playing surface to be determined.
The playing surface of the present invention relates to games requiring an equilibrium orientation for an unbiased playing experience. In this equilibrium orientation the pitch and roll of the playing surface do not affect the game in any manner. Current examples of conventional table games that require playing surface in an equilibrium orientation for an unbiased playing experience are billiards, foosball, and airhockey.
The housing unit of the present invention has a longitudinally opposed ends, transversely spaced apart sides; and provides a surface for playing a game. The height of each corner of the housing unit may be adjustable relative to other corners. This adjustment would allow for the pitch and roll of the playing surface to be altered to attain an equilibrium orientation.
The support structure of the present invention includes legs, legs connected to a surface on which the housing unit may rest, and all other methods which may support the housing unit. The support's height may be adjustable to allow for the height of corners of the housing unit relative to other corners of the housing unit to be adjusted. In addition the connection distance between the housing unit and the supports may be adjustable so as to allow the height of corners of the housing unit to be adjusted relative to other corners.
The level-indicating device of the present invention includes devices, which register the pitch and roll of the playing surface. This level-indicating device is attached to the housing unit. This level-indicating device may be removable. The advantage of having such a level indicating device is that the pitch and roll of the playing surface may be quickly ascertained and corrected if needed; thereby permitting the playing surface to be placed in an equilibrium orientation.
It will be understood that various changes can be made in the form details, arrangements, and proportions of the various parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A game table comprising:

a substantially planar housing unit having longitudinally opposed ends and transversely spaced apart sides; which provides a surface for playing a game

a support structure which is connected to said housing unit; and

at least one level-indicating device connected to said housing unit.

2. The game table of claim 1 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points.

3. The game table of claim 1 wherein the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

4. The game table of claim 1 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points and the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

5. The game table of claim 1 wherein said housing unit is a foosball game structure comprising:

a playing field portion surrounded by raise opposite side walls and end walls, said end walls each having a goal opening therein, a plurality of actuating rods extending through said opposite side walls spaced transversely and above said playing field portion and supporting game figures thereon depending adjacent said playing field portion and adapted to contact a ball thereon, said actuating rods being rotatively and axially movable relative to said side walls; and a ball drop opening extending through said side wall

6. The game table of claim 5 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points.

7. The game table of claim 5 wherein the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

8. The game table of claim 5 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points and the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

9. The game table of claim 1 wherein said housing unit is a billiards game structure comprising:

a playing field bordered by an upwardly extending bumper wall, said field including a plurality of pockets

10. The game table of claim 9 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points.

11. The game table of claim 9 wherein the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

12. The game table of claim 9 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points and the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

13. The game table of claim 1 wherein said housing unit is an airhockey game structure comprising:

an air bed including a powered fan discharging air upwardly through holes in the surface of the air bed;

a bumper strip of high-density, substantially non-deformable material extending substantially around the perimeter of and defining a playing area upon said air bed, the face of the bumper strip being smooth and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the air bed; and

a goal associated with said playing area, said goal communicating with said playing area via an opening in said bumper strip through which a game piece may pass to said goal, said goal including means for detecting the passage of the game piece therethrough and wherein said game further includes means responsive to said detecting means for automatically indicating to a player that a goal has been scored, said goal including a passage therein through which said game piece passes upon the scoring of a goal and said detecting means including means for sensing the passage of said game piece through said passage

14. The game table of claim 13 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points.

15. The game table of claim 13 wherein the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.

16. The game table of claim 13 wherein said support structure's height is individually adjustable at two or more points and the connection distance between said support structure and said housing unit is independently adjustable at two or more points.