Abstract:
A game table deployment system comprises a housing adapted to be mounted to a ceiling of a room, the housing including an opening facing downward into the room, a lift mechanism contained in the housing, and a game table operatively coupled to the lift mechanism. The game table is movable by operation of the lift mechanism between a stowed position in which the game table is substantially contained within the opening of the housing and a deployed position in which the game table is deployed for use within the room. The housing may include at least one door adapted to at least partially enclose the opening. The door may further include at least one electric light oriented to provide light onto the game table below when in the deployed position and the at least one door is opened. The lift mechanism may further comprise a motor and a plurality of cables operatively driven by the motor, the game table being coupled to respective ends of the plurality of cables. The plurality of cables may further comprise fasteners enabling selective coupling to and uncoupling from engagement with the game table. The game table may further comprise at least one folding leg. The game table may be a pool table, a ping pong table, a foosball table, a card table, a gaming table, and the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA  
       [0001]     This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional application Ser. No. 60/620,089, filed on Oct. 18, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to game tables, or more particularly, to an apparatus for deploying and stowing a game table in a storage area located above a living space.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     People of all ages enjoy playing games such as for pool, billiards, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, and assorted card games. In most cases, these games are played in commercial establishments, such as arcades, bars, recreational centers, and the like, because the size of the specialized game tables renders them generally impractical to play at all but the largest homes. Given the limited size of the average home, most homeowners either do not have sufficient space or are unwilling to devote precious living space necessary to accommodate such a game table. Some types of game tables are foldable, particularly ping pong tables, to permit them to be folded and stowed after use and thereby avoid permanent dedication of home space for the game table. But, most other game tables, such as for pool, billiards, and air hockey, cannot be easily stowed. To satisfy consumers&#39; demand for home game tables, miniaturized versions of these game tables are known in the art. A significant drawback of these miniaturized game tables is that the quality of play is substantially less than that experienced with a full-sized (up to regulation size) table. As a result, a home game room with a full-sized game table remains a luxury item that is out of reach for most homeowners.  
         [0006]     Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a home game table that can be easily stowed to eliminate the need for dedicated game space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention satisfies the need for a home game table that can be easily stowed and deployed within a room, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated game space.  
         [0008]     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a game table deployment system comprises a housing adapted to be mounted to a ceiling of a room, the housing including an opening facing downward into the room, a lift mechanism contained in the housing, and a game table operatively coupled to the lift mechanism. The game table is movable by operation of the lift mechanism between a stowed position in which the game table is substantially contained within the opening of the housing and a deployed position in which the game table is deployed for use within the room. The housing may include at least one door adapted to at least partially enclose the opening. The door may further include at least one electric light oriented to provide light onto the game table below when in the deployed position and the at least one door is opened. The lift mechanism may further comprise a motor and a plurality of cables operatively driven by the motor, the game table being coupled to respective ends of the plurality of cables. The plurality of cables may further comprise fasteners enabling selective coupling to and uncoupling from engagement with the game table. The game table may further comprise at least one folding leg. The game table may be a pool table, a ping pong table, a foosball table, a card table, a gaming table, and the like.  
         [0009]     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a game table deployment system comprises a housing adapted to be coupled to a ceiling, the housing further containing a lift mechanism, and a game table provided in the housing, the game table and housing being movable by operation of the lift mechanism between a stowed position in which the housing is in direct contact with the ceiling and a deployed position in which the housing is lowered into the room, the game table thereby being available for use within the room. The housing may further include at least one electric light oriented to provide light onto the room when in the stowed position. The lift mechanism may further comprises a motor and a plurality of cables operatively driven by the motor, respective ends of the plurality of cables being coupled to the ceiling. The plurality of cables may further comprise fasteners enabling selective coupling to and uncoupling from engagement with the ceiling. The housing may further comprise at least one folding leg. The game table may be a pool table, a ping pong table, a foosball table, a card table, a gaming table, and the like.  
         [0010]     A more complete understanding of the game table apparatus will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, which will first be described briefly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a deployable game table in a fully stowed configuration within a ceiling enclosure;  
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a side sectional view of the game table of  FIG. 1A  in a partially deployed configuration;  
         [0013]      FIG. 1C  is a top view of the game table of  FIG. 1A  in a fully deployed configuration;  
         [0014]      FIG. 1D  is a side sectional view of the game table of  FIG. 1A  in a fully deployed configuration;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged side sectional view of a foldable door of the ceiling enclosure of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a side sectional view of the foldable door of  FIG. 2A  in an opened configuration;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a ceiling enclosure;  
         [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are front and side views of a latch release tool for use with the ceiling enclosure of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage as shown in a partially deployed configuration;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage as shown in a partially deployed configuration;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side sectional view of the deployable game table of  FIG. 6  with the foldable legs in a deployed configuration;  
         [0022]      FIG. 8A  is a side sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a deployable game table as shown in a stowed configuration within a ceiling enclosure;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8B  is a side sectional view of the deployable game table of  FIG. 8A  as shown in a partially deployed configuration; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the deployable game table of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  in a stowed configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     The present invention satisfies the need for a full-size home game table that can be easily stowed to eliminate the need for dedicated game space. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements illustrated in one or more figures.  
         [0026]     More particularly, the invention provides a deployable game table that can be stowed in a ceiling enclosure. When not in use, the game table remains hidden from view within the ceiling enclosure. The ceiling enclosure may double as a light fixture that provides overhead lighting for a living space. Then, when it is desired to use the game table, the ceiling enclosure opens to permit vertical deployment of the game table, which descends from the ceiling by use of a drive system having a plurality of lift cables. The game table may be raised by withdrawing the lift cables, and lowered by paying out the lift cables. The game table may further include foldable legs that permit the game table to stand in an upright position to enable full enjoyment of the game table while in the fully deployed position. The game table may further include hidden racks for storing game play implements, such as pool cues, balls and racks.  
         [0027]     Referring first to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a first embodiment of a deployable game table  10  is shown in fully stowed and partially deployed configurations, respectively. While fully stowed, the game table  10  is entirely contained within a ceiling enclosure that includes a housing  22  and doors  24 ,  26 . The housing  22  is attached to and extends downward from a ceiling of a living space, and may include decoratively shaped surfaces. The doors  24 ,  26  are attached to the housing  22  at respective hinges  25 ,  27  to enable selective movement between a fully closed position (as shown in  FIG. 1A ) and a fully open position (as shown in  FIG. 1B ). As will be further described below, the doors  24 ,  26  may be either manually or automatically opened and closed. The doors  24 ,  26  may further include internally mounted light bulbs  28  disposed behind a light transmissive surface (e.g., formed of plexiglass or like materials). This way, when the doors  24 ,  26  are fully closed, the housing  22  may provide the function and appearance of a ceiling mounted light fixture and the game table  10  is hidden from view. The housing  22  may also include internally mounted lighting so that the housing can also provide light when the doors are opened.  
         [0028]     When it is desired to deploy the game table  10  for use, the doors  24 ,  26  are fully opened and a drive mechanism is used to deploy the game table through the opening in the housing  22  formed by the open doors. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor  32  operatively connected to a cable spool  34  using a suitable belt, chain or gear connection. The cable spool  34  carries plural lengths of wound cable that are driven to rotation by the drive motor  32 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable spool  34  carries four separate cables that extend from the cable spool  34  to respective corners of the game table  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , two such cables  36 ,  38  pass through respective cable idlers  37 ,  38  and are redirected vertically to attach to two corners of the game table  10 . When driven by the motor  32  in a first direction, the cable spool  34  pays out the wound cable to cause the game table  10  to descend from the stowed position within the ceiling enclosure. Conversely, when driven in the opposite direction, the cable spool  34  withdraws the wound cable to cause the game table  10  to rise back into the stowed position.  
         [0029]     The game table  10  further comprises a playing surface  12  on which a game is played. It is anticipated that the game table  10  have a generally rectangular shape and configuration for playing known games such as pool, billiards, foosball, and air hockey, but may additionally have other shapes suitable for other uses including various games of chance such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and the like. The playing surface  12  may be permanently affixed to the game table  10 , or in the alternative, the game table may be adapted to receive a number of different playing surfaces. This way, a single unit could be selectively transformed to provide different types of games.  
         [0030]     The game table  10  further includes folded legs  14 ,  16  affixed to the bottom surface of the game table using respective hinges  15 ,  17 . The game table  10  may further includes guide surfaces  11 ,  13  coupled to sides of the game table and that are oriented to engage corresponding guide surfaces  21 ,  23  of doors  24 ,  26  to facilitate guiding of the game table into the stowed position as it is raised in the ceiling enclosure. The guide surfaces  11 ,  13  may be removable so as to not interfere with game play. The game table  10  may further include suitable connectors  18 ,  19  for engaging mating elements  41 ,  42  arranged at the ends of the cables  36 ,  38 . The connectors  18 ,  19  allow the cables  26 ,  38  to be disengaged from the game table  10  after deployment so that the cables do not interfere with the use and enjoyment of the game table.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  illustrate an exemplary game table  10  in the fully deployed position. In  FIG. 1C , the game table  10  is shown from above, and it should be apparent that the exemplary game table is configured for the game of pool, having a flat, cloth covered playing surface and plurality of pockets. It should be appreciated that the exemplary game table  10  would further include hanging pockets or channels for guiding pool balls to a central retrieval point and other features known in the art. Alternatively, the game table  10  could be configured for other gaming uses as discussed above.  FIG. 1 C  further illustrates connectors  18 ,  19  disposed in respective corners of the game table  10 , as will as guide surfaces  11 ,  13  extending from side surfaces of the game table  10 . In  FIG. 1D , the folded legs  14 ,  16  are unfolded to support the game table  10  in the fully deployed position. The folded legs  14 ,  16  may additionally include adjustable feet at ends thereof to permit accurate leveling of the game table. It should be appreciated that when the game table  10  is in the fully deployed position and the cables retracted into the ceiling enclosure, the doors  24 ,  26  of the housing  22  may be closed and the integrated light fixture used to provide light onto the surface of the game table  10 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an enlarged side sectional view of one of the foldable doors  24 ,  26  of the ceiling enclosure of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . A door articulation mechanism includes an actuator  44  and linkages  46 ,  48 . The actuator  44  is affixed at a first end to an actuator pivot point  51  located internal to the housing of the ceiling enclosure or mounted directly to the ceiling. The actuator  44  includes an arm  45  that extends outward coaxially of the actuator body. The first linkage  46  is coupled at one end to a pivot point  43  mounting internal to the housing of the ceiling enclosure or mounted directly to the ceiling. The second linkage  48  is coupled at one end to a pivot point  49  mounting to an interior surface of the door  26 . The second ends of the first and second linkages  46 ,  48  are commonly coupled to the end  47  of the actuator arm  45 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the actuator arm  45  is retracted into the actuator  44 , pulling with it the first and second linkages  46 ,  48  to thereby cause the door  26  to articulate into a closed position. Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the actuator arm  45  is extended from the actuator  44 , pushing outwardly the common ends of the first and second linkages  46 ,  48  and causing the door  26  to articulate to an open position. It should be appreciated that the actuator  44  may be electrically responsive to a suitable control signal, such as provided by control unit  53 , to extend and retract the arm  45 . Alternatively, the actuator  44  may be manually operated and include a spring and damper or like mechanism to cause retraction and/or extension of the actuator.  
         [0033]     Alternatively, the linkages  46 ,  48  may comprise a unitary rigid structure that is mounted at one end to a slide disposed in a linear track. The door  26  would opened with the slide located substantially at one end of the track, and closed with the slide located substantially at the other end of the track. As before, the actuator  44  may be automatically or manually operated.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a ceiling enclosure. In this embodiment, the doors  24 ,  26  are held closed by a latch mechanism that includes hooks  62 ,  64 , catch rods  66 ,  68 , and linkage  72 . The hooks  62 ,  64  are suspended pivotally from the ceiling or from an interior surface of the housing  22 . The catch rods  66 ,  68  are coupled to the doors  26 ,  24 , respectively, through suitable brackets such that the catch rods extend parallel to the ceiling. With the doors  24 ,  26  in a closed position, the rods  66 ,  68  are oriented into alignment with the hooks  62 ,  64 , allowing the hooks to engage the rods and thereby hold the doors in a closed position. The linkage  72  extends between the hooks  62 ,  64  so that upward pressure on the linkage causes the hooks to pivot inward toward each other and thereby disengage from the rods  66 ,  68  and allow the doors  24 ,  26  to open.  
         [0035]     A gap may be provided between the doors  24 ,  26  to enable a tool  80  to be inserted to apply pressure to the linkage  72  and open the doors. As shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the exemplary tool  80  has an elongated handle  82  with a wide blade  84  affixed to a working end thereof. The blade  84  may further include a blunt end  86  intended to come into contact with the linkage  72 . The elongated handle  82  should have suitable length to permit a user to reach a ceiling mounted enclosure, and may additionally be telescoping to accommodate varying ceiling heights. The tool  80  can also be used to close the doors  24 ,  26  by pressing against the external surface of the doors until the hooks  62 ,  64  engage with the rods  66 ,  68 . The embodiment of  FIGS. 3, 4A  and  4 B is advantageous in that it does not require electrical power to open and close the doors  24 ,  26 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage as shown in a partially deployed configuration. In this embodiment, there is no ceiling enclosure. Instead, the entire unit deploys from the ceiling and becomes a game table. Specifically, the game table  112  includes foldable legs  114 ,  116  that may unfold similar to the legs  14 ,  16  described above in the preceding embodiments. The legs  114 ,  116  have adjustable feet  122 ,  124  to permit leveling of the game table  112  when in the fully deployed position. The legs  114 ,  116  may further include integrated lights  118  that are operable when the legs  114 ,  116  are folded and the game table  112  raised to the stowed position adjacent the ceiling. This way, the stowed game table  112  provides the appearance of a ceiling mounted light fixture when stowed. Decorative covers  126 ,  128  may be used to cover the adjustable feet  122 ,  124  of the legs while folded. Louver  120  may also be used as a decorative feature to hide the hinge mechanism when the legs are folded.  
         [0037]     Unlike the preceding embodiments, the drive mechanism to raise and lower the game table is integrated into the game table as opposed to being in a housing that remains mounted to the ceiling. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor  132  operatively connected to a cable spool  134  using a suitable belt, chain or gear connection. The cable spool  134  carries plural lengths of wound cable that are driven to rotation by the drive motor  132 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable spool  134  carries four separate cables that extend from the cable spool  134  to respective corners of the game table  112 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , two such cables  136 ,  138  pass through respective cable idlers  146 ,  148  and are redirected vertically to attach to the ceiling. The ceiling may include hooks  152 ,  154  that engage ends of the cables  136 ,  138 , respectively. When driven by the motor  132  in a first direction, the cable spool  134  pays out the wound cable to cause the game table  112  to descend from the stowed position adjacent the ceiling. Conversely, when driven in the opposite direction, the cable spool  134  withdraws the wound cable to cause the game table  112  to rise back into the stowed position. The game table  112  may further include recesses  142 ,  144  around the exit points of the cables  136 ,  138  into which the hooks  152 ,  154  would extend when the game table  112  is in the stowed position. An electrical outlet  150  is shown mounted to the ceiling, permitting electrical wiring to follow one of the cables to the game table  112  to provide electrical power to the lights  118 .  
         [0038]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are side sectional views of a third embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage. This embodiment includes a decorative trim  214  that remains mounted to the ceiling, while the rest of the game table and drive mechanism is deployed as a self-contained unit. An advantage of this embodiment is that it does not require the doors used to conceal the stowed game table in the manner described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . The game table  212  includes foldable legs  224  (only one leg shown for simplification) that is unfolded using a slid linkage arrangement. More specifically, a slide rail  244  extends parallel with the surface of the game table  112  and carries a slide block  246 . The slide block  246  is operatively coupled to the leg  224  through a linkage  242 . In  FIG. 6 , the leg  224  is fully folded with the slide block  242  near to a first end of travel along the slide rail  244 . In  FIG. 7 , the leg  224  is fully deployed with the slide block  242  near to the opposite end of travel along the slide rail  244 . As above, the legs  224  has an adjustable foot  226  to permit leveling of the game table  212  when in the fully deployed position.  
         [0039]     As in the preceding embodiment, the drive mechanism to raise and lower the game table is integrated into the game table as opposed to remaining with the housing mounted to the ceiling. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor (not shown) operatively connected to a cable spool  234  using a suitable belt, chain or gear connection. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable spool  234  carries four separate cables that extend from the cable spool  234  to respective corners of the game table  212 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , two such cables  236 ,  238  pass through respective cable idlers and are redirected vertically to attach to the ceiling. The ceiling may include hooks that engage ends of the cables  136 ,  138 , respectively. The operation of the drive mechanism is substantially as described above.  
         [0040]     A light panel  228  is affixed to the surface of the leg  224  that is operable when the leg is folded and the game table  212  raised to the stowed position adjacent the ceiling. This way, the stowed game table  212  provides the appearance of a ceiling mounted light fixture when stowed. Decorative cover  248  may be used to cover the adjustable foot  226  of the legs while folded. The decorative cover  248  may be slidable with respect to the leg  224  so that it covers the foot  226  when folded and can be moved out of the way when the leg is unfolded. Louver  220  may also be used as a decorative feature to hide the hinge mechanism when the legs are folded.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side sectional views of a fourth embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage. This embodiment includes a decorative trim  322  that remains mounted to the ceiling, while the rest of the game table and drive mechanism is deployed as a self-contained unit. Instead of doors, the embodiment includes a cover that unrolls to conceal the game table. A housing  322  is mounted to the ceiling and a game table  312  is contained within the housing while stowed. The game table  312  includes legs  324 ,  326  that can be unfolded as in any of the preceding embodiments. As in the first embodiment, the drive mechanism to raise and lower the game table is integrated into the housing  322 . The drive mechanism includes a drive motor  332  operatively connected to a cable spool  334  using a suitable belt, chain or gear connection. The cable spool  334  carries four separate cables that extend from the cable spool to respective corners of the game table  312 . As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , two such cables  336 ,  338  pass through respective cable idlers  337 ,  339  and are redirected vertically to attach to the game table  312 . The operation of the drive mechanism is substantially as described above.  
         [0042]     A cover is carried by a pair of roller spools  352 ,  354 . A length of cover material, such as a fabric, vinyl, or like material, is wound onto each spool  353 ,  354 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , the cover is fully deployed with a first cover sheet  356  extending from the first side spool  352  and a second cover sheet  358  extending from a second side spool  354 . The two cover sheets  356 ,  358  meet in the middle, thereby substantially covering bottom surface of the game table  312 . The cover sheets  356 ,  358  may further include an edge frame  362 ,  364  that define an end boundary of the respective cover sheets and which meet together to seal the opening into the housing  322 . The edge frames  362 ,  364  may couple together, such as using magnets. In  FIG. 8B , the cover sheets  356 ,  358  are completely rolled up onto the respective rollers spools  352 ,  354  to permit the game table  312  to be deployed by operation of the drive mechanism (described above). The roller spools  352 ,  354  may be driven to rotation by respective motors (not shown), or they may be manually operated.  
         [0043]     Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a home game table deployment and stowage apparatus, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the described system have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is defined solely by the following claims.