Abstract:
A table for a bowling establishment or center having a size and shape for use by patrons during bowling and being positioned relative the lane approach section and the ball return rack to provide space for scoring, eating food, drinking beverages, and allowing ease of access for bowling.

Description:
This invention relates in general to a table for a bowling center, and more particularly to an improved table for bowlers and friends that allows them to sit at and which provides for ample space for the consumption of food and beverages while facilitating ease of access to the lanes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bowling has been and remains a popular sport or hobby for many people. While the decorum of bowling centers or establishments that have bowling lanes may vary greatly, the layout of the bowling areas is substantially the same in all establishments or centers. The bowling areas are divided into three distinct but interrelated sections: the bowling lanes section, the approach section, and the sitting/scoring section. Persons patronizing bowling centers will generally be referred to herein as patrons, which include bowlers, friends, and other people having bowling interests. 
     The first or bowling lanes section normally includes a plurality of bowling lanes that are subgrouped into pairs of lanes. Each lane includes a bowling lane or surface and a gutter on each side of the bowling lane. A ball return section including a ball return track is disposed between each lane of a pair of lanes, while a capping is located between each adjacent pair of lanes. The total width of a pair of lanes between the median of consecutive capping sections is about 133½ inches. That width can be broken down into two lanes that are 42 inches wide, four gutters (2 on each lane) that are each 9½ inches wide, a ball return section that is also 9½ inches wide, and half of two capping sections that are each 2 inches wide. 
     The ball return track extends the length of the lanes and into the approach section, where it extends upward to deposit or return the balls to a ball return rack at a level that allows bowlers to easily pick up their bowling balls. An open area is provided on each side of the ball return rack that represents the approach areas of the approach section. Usually the ball return track is below floor level and emerges upwardly through the floor in the approach area to the ball return rack. The approach section, which extends to the beginning (or foul line) of the bowling lane section, allows a bowler to ‘run up’ and deliver a ball down the lane without impairments during a bowling turn. 
     Behind the approach section, generally on a lower level, is a section for the bowlers to sit and keep score. In most centers, a small table is located directly behind the ball return rack for each pair of lanes. The table generally allows one person from each lane to sit and keep score, while offering a few cupholders. The remaining bowlers or friends either stand or sit behind the table in additional seating provided. It has been known that some bowling centers utilize an oval table in the spectator area behind the sitting/scoring section that may seat up to six patrons. 
     Throughout the years, the services in bowling centers have changed. Instead of merely offering a form of entertainment or sport, bowling establishments now often offer food and drinks as well. Furthermore, it is often common for various organizations or groups to rent out part or all of the bowling lanes for private parties, whereby numerous bowlers might want to bowl on each lane. Generally, only two bowlers or other patrons per pair of lanes may sit at the table. The remaining patrons have to either sit behind the table in whatever seating is available, remain standing, or go to the area behind the bowling area. If the patrons order food or beverages, most have to either hold their food or drinks, or place them in the area behind the bowling platform. This layout is inconvenient for patrons who want to socialize, eat and drink with others at bowling centers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a unique solution to the problems mentioned above by providing a table in a bowling establishment or center sized and shaped to serve a pair of lanes with ample space for several patrons to eat food and drink beverages on the table and to allow easy access for moving into the approach areas and about the ball return rack when taking bowling turns. The table is preferably substantially triangular in shape and is located with its apex substantially in line with and adjacent to the ball return rack between the lanes of a pair of lanes. The base of the table is about eight (8) feet wide, with sides of about six and a half (6½) feet. Thus, the location and size of a table allows space for patrons to walk between adjacent tables and along the tables to the approach sections, and around the ball return rack. Each table provides ample space to accommodate at least six patrons. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved bowling table for a bowling area in a bowling center that is sized, shaped and located in the sitting/scoring section to allow a plurality of patrons to sit around and comfortably eat food and/or drink beverages while providing easy access to the approach section. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a bowling table that does not interfere with the movement of the patrons in approaching the lanes and movement between lanes. 
    
    
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of two pair of bowling lanes in a bowling center with tables according to the present invention to show the relative placement of the tables to the bowling lanes and ball return section; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational side view taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 to illustrate the spacing between the table and the ball return section and the beginning of the bowling lane; and 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table according to the invention with seating for ten patrons. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a typical layout in a bowling establishment or center includes a plurality of pairs of bowling alleys or lanes in a bowling lanes section, an approach return where the ball section racks are located, and a sitting/scoring section where the tables according to the invention are located. 
     The layout illustrated in FIG. 1 shows two pairs of alleys arranged in side-by-side relation. One pair includes alleys or lanes  10  and  11 , and the other pair includes alleys or lanes  12  and  13 . The alleys respectively include gutters  10   a ,  10   b ,  11   a ,  11   b ,  12   a ,  12   b , and  13   a ,  13   b  at opposite sides of the alleys or lanes. A capping  14  is provided between the pairs of lanes, and particularly between gutters  11   b  and  12   a.    
     The pair of alleys  10  and  11  are serviced by a ball return track  15  that extends beneath the floor and emerges upwardly to a ball return rack  16  that is located in the approach section. Similarly, the lanes  12  and  13  are serviced by a ball return track  17  which emerges to a ball return rack  18  located in the approach section for that pair of lanes. 
     As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the layout showing the approach section is designated as A and extends from the foul lines  10   c ,  11   c ,  12   c  and  13   c  to the back ends  16   a  and  18   a  of the ball return racks  16  and  18 . While the approach section A extends to the backs  16   a  and  18   a  of the ball return racks  16  and  18 , the approach section may also extend beyond the back ends  16   a  and  18   a  of the ball return racks. The approach section can be divided into individual approach areas  22 ,  23 ,  24  and  25 . The approach areas are thus immediately adjacent the bowling lanes or bowling lane section to allow the running up of a bowler for releasing a bowling ball to the respective lane during a bowling turn. 
     With respect to the pair of lanes  10  and  11 , approach areas  22  and  23  are disposed at opposite sides of the ball rack  16  to service these lanes. Similarly, with respect to lanes  12  and  13 , approach areas  24  and  25  are located at opposite sides of the ball return rack  18  to service those lanes. 
     Behind the approach section is the sitting/scoring section, generally indicated by dimensions B and C in FIGS. 1 and 2. The sitting/scoring section B and C may be divided into individual sitting/scoring areas  26 ,  27 ,  28  and  29 . Sitting/scoring areas  26  and  27  service the pair of lanes  10  and  11 , while sitting/scoring sections  28  and  29  service the pair of lanes  12  and  13 . The sitting/scoring areas extend away from the approach areas a suitable distance for providing an area for locating the tables according to the present invention. As seen particularly in FIG. 1, a table  30  according to the invention is provided to service the lanes  10  and  11  and approach areas  22  and  23 , while a table  32  according to the present invention is provided to service lanes  12  and  13  and approach areas  24  and  25 . While the tables may take any suitable shape, it is preferable that they be triangular in shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with side edges that are preferably straight but may be slightly arcuate. 
     The tables respectively include base or back edges  30   a  and  32   a  and side edges  30   b  and  30   c  and  32   b  and  32   c . The back or base edges  30   a  and  32   a  extend parallel to the foul lines of the lanes and perpendicular to the long axis of the lanes and the direction of approach to the lanes by the bowler. While the base edges  30   a  and  32   a  are shown as straight, the base edges  30   a  and  32   a  may be arcuate in shape. The side edges of each of the tables extend inwardly from the back edges and toward one another to the apexes  30   d  and  32   d . The apexes are spaced from the ends  16   a  and  18   a  of the ball return racks a sufficient distance (indicated by dimension B in FIGS. 1 and 2) in order to allow a bowler or patron to easily move between the pair of alleys serviced by the tables so that a bowler may easily use whichever alley designated in the pair of alleys for a bowling turn. 
     Table  30  is shown in perspective in FIG.  3  and includes a tabletop  40 , while table  32  includes a tabletop  42 . Reference will be made more particularly now to table  30  to illustrate its serviceability to patrons utilizing the table for the respective approach section and lanes, and it will be understood table  32  functions in the same way for the lanes it services. Table  30 , which includes tabletop  40 , is supported by a plurality of legs  44  at a suitable height which may either be counter height or bar height. Stools or chairs are provided around the edges of the table in order to accommodate patrons using the lanes. Preferably, the size of the table would be such that the rear edge or rear side  40  is about eight feet long and the side edges  30   b  and  30   c  are about six feet six inches long. Accordingly, along the rear edge  40 , four patrons can easily be accommodated, while along each of the side edges three patrons may be accommodated. 
     Stools or chairs  46  are provided along the back edge  40 , while stools or chairs  48  are provided along the side edges  30   b  and  30   c . It will be appreciated that the size of the table may be only to accommodate six patrons if desired, where two patrons would be accommodated at each side of the table. However, it is preferable that ten patrons are accommodated so as to accommodate two teams of five each. The area on the tabletop is sized to provide adequate spaces for placement of food to eat and beverages to drink, as well as scoring equipment. Accordingly, where ten bowlers or patrons are using a pair of alleys, table space is provided for each patron to have food and/or beverages served at the table, as well as space for scoring the games played on the alleys. The table as sized above provides about twenty square feet of tabletop area. 
     While simple stools having a round seat supported on a pedestal are illustrated, it may be appreciated that any type of stool or swivel chair, both stationary and movable, may be provided at the desired height to allow the patron to comfortably sit at the table. Preferably, the table would be between  36  and  42  inches off the floor to accommodate either counter- or bar-height stools or chairs. 
     While the tables  30  and  32  are shown to have three legs, it may be appreciated that any number of legs may be provided for support of the tabletop. Moreover, any suitable framework may be provided to support and/or reinforce the tabletop and to which the legs may be secured. 
     Although the preferred embodiment shows a triangular table, any shape and size of the table may be provided which allows adequate space for the seating and movement of at least six patrons. Moreover, the shape of the table should be such as to allow freedom of movement to and from the table and the approach section and ball return rack. 
     The corners of the tables are suitably rounded to avoid the exposure of patrons to sharp corners. Further, the table may be trapezoidally shaped wherein it would include a side edge opposite the base edge and parallel to the base edge that may accommodate one or more patrons. In such an embodiment, the trapezoidal shape must provide ample room for a sufficient number of patrons as well as the freedom of access between the lanes and to the approach areas or sections. 
     It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.