Tabletop drinking game apparatus

A tabletop drinking game apparatus includes a base, a tower, a plurality of dispensing units, a reservoir, a microcontroller, and a power source. The tower is concentrically attached to the base as the reservoir is concentrically connected to the tower, opposite of the base. Each user is able to enter their input command through a pair of control buttons of the base. The plurality of dispensing units is radially mounted around the tower and is in fluid communication with the reservoir so that the stored beverage can be dispensed according to the outcomes of the game. The power source is electrically connected to control buttons, the plurality of dispensing units, and the microcontroller to initiate the game play. The microcontroller is electronically connected to the plurality of dispensing units as the microcontroller determines the outcome of the game play.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a field of amusement devices. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus that facilitates a tabletop drinking game for any type of beverage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Existing beverage drinking games mainly target young adults and adults and generally requires some kind of game boards, mobile phones, or other game related elements. However, existing technologies for facilitating a drinking game are deficient with regard to several aspects. For instance, current technologies do not provide controlled dispensing of liquid for drinking based on an outcome of a game. In other words, all of the existing drinking games rely on the players to dispense of beverage based on the outcome of the game. This can sometimes lead into disagreements and altercation.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a tabletop drinking game apparatus that may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or limitations. The present invention provides a simple set of rules so that the game can be played by many different age groups as all input commands entered via a pair of buttons by each player. Furthermore, a microcontroller of the present invention completes the dispense of beverage thus removing the human interaction. As a result, the present invention is able to provide a fun and interactive tabletop drinking game for children, young adults, and adults.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tabletop drinking game apparatus that automatically completes dispensing of beverage after each completed round of gameplay. As a result, the present invention does not rely on players to dispense a beverage thus eliminating disagreements and altercation caused by human errors. The present invention comprises of a base1, a tower6, a plurality of dispensing units9, a reservoir15, a microcontroller16, and a power source18as shown inFIG.1andFIG.6-7.

In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, as shown inFIG.1-2, the tower6is concentrically attached to the base1as the base1provides the designated playing area for the present invention. The reservoir15is concentrically connected to the tower6and positioned opposite of the base1so that the reservoir15can be filled with any type of consumable beverage. The plurality of dispensing units9is radially mounted around the tower6so that the stored beverage can be automatically dispensed according to the input commands of the players. In order to facilitate the dispensing of the stored beverage, the plurality of dispensing units9is in fluid communication with the reservoir15. The power source18is electrically connected to the plurality of dispensing units9and the microcontroller16so that the present invention can be electrically powered. The microcontroller16is electronically connected to the plurality of dispensing units9so that the dispensing of the stored beverage can be controlled according to the rules and regulations of the game.

The base1that provides separate playing stations for each of the players comprises a top surface2, a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) lights3, a central axis4, and a plurality of paired control buttons5as shown inFIG.1-3. The central axis4concentrically traverses normal to the top surface2as a reference line so that the some of the components of the base1can be explained in relation of the central axis4. More specifically, the plurality of LED lights3is radially positioned around the central axis4and connected onto the top surface2. In other words, the plurality of LED lights3is positioned in front of the each playing station in a circular manner. As a result, the plurality of LED lights3is able to visually indicate different outcomes of the game to the players. The plurality of paired control buttons5is radially positioned around the central axis4and connected onto the top surface2thus allowing the players to enter their input commands during the game.

In reference toFIG.6-7, the plurality of paired control buttons5is electrically connected to the power source18. As a result, when players are prompted to press a specific button from each of the plurality of paired control buttons5as an input command, the corresponding button for each player is illuminated so that the players can easily identify the corresponding button that needs to be pressed. When a player presses the corresponding button from the plurality of paired control buttons5as an input command, the corresponding button stays illuminated so that the remaining players can easily identify which player has entered the input command. The plurality of paired control buttons5is electronically connected to the microcontroller16so that the input command from the specific button can be processed and executed through the microcontroller16according to the rules of the rules and regulations of the game. Furthermore, at least one button in each of the plurality of paired control buttons5is be colored differently to indicate different players of the game. For example, one control button from a first set of the plurality of paired control buttons5is colored red while another control button from a second set of the plurality of paired control buttons5is colored yellow so that the players can be easily differentiated from each other.

In reference toFIG.6-7, the plurality of LED lights3is electrically connected to the power source18and electronically connected to the microcontroller16so that the plurality of LED lights3can be illuminated with respect to the input commands of the plurality of paired control buttons5and the output commands of the microcontroller16. The plurality of LED lights3displays different colors and different illumination patterns with respect to the output commands so that the players of the present invention are able to separately identify different outcomes of the game.

The microcontroller16functions as the processor core of the present invention. More specifically, the microcontroller16is programmed with the rules and regulations of the game so that any input commands from the players can be processed and executed according to the rules and regulations. As a result, the microcontroller16is able to facilitate the operation of the plurality of LED lights3, the plurality of dispensing units9, and the plurality of paired control buttons5. The microcontroller16is preferably mounted within the base1to protect from any foreign elements.

The tower6functions as the intermediate member between the base1and the reservoir15so that the reservoir15can be elevated from the base1. In reference toFIG.2andFIG.4, the tower6comprises a support7and a housing8. More specifically, the housing8is adjacently connected to the support7so that the plurality of dispensing units9can be radially mounted within the housing8. As a result, the housing8is able to protect the plurality of dispensing units9from any beverage spillage or any other types of foreign objects. The support7is concentrically attached into the base1so that the housing8can be positioned atop the top surface2of the base1. The height of the support7allows each player to place a cup below each of the plurality of dispensing units9so that the automatic dispensing of beverage can be collected according to the outcomes of the game. As explained in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tower6is attached into the base1so that the present invention can be easily shipped and stored away as the base1and the tower6can be separated into two components. However, in some embodiment of the present invention, the base1and the tower6can also be connected to each other as a singular component.

In reference toFIG.1-2, the reservoir15provides the necessary storage area for the beverage to be stored. Furthermore, the top of the reservoir15is kept open so that the atmospheric air pressure can be applied to the stored beverage during the dispensing process to allow the liquid to flow downwards towards the base1. The stored beverage for the present invention can be water, soda, juice, liquor, beer, wine, whiskey, or any other type of consumable liquid.

Each of the plurality of dispensing units9enables the automatic dispensing of beverage according to the outcomes of the game. Furthermore, the number of dispensing units of the present invention is equal to the number of paired control buttons. For example, when some embodiment of the present invention supports only four players, base1is equipped with four sets of paired control buttons and the tower6is equipped with four dispensing units. In reference toFIG.5, each of the plurality of dispensing units9comprises an inlet tube10, a solenoid actuator14, and an outlet tube11. More specifically, a first end12of the inlet tube10is in fluid communication with the reservoir15so that the stored beverage can be discharged from the reservoir15. A second end13of the inlet tube10is in fluid communication with the solenoid actuator14to control the flow of the stored beverage. A first end12of the outlet tube11is in fluid communication with the solenoid actuator14so that the beverage flow from the reservoir15can discharge into the outlet tube11through the solenoid actuator14. A second end13of the outlet tube11is positioned offset from the base1thus allowing a cup to be placed below. For example, when the solenoid actuator14is in an opened position, the stored beverage from the reservoir15flows into the inlet tube10, travels through the solenoid actuator14, and into the outlet tube11so that a quantity of stored beverage can be dispensed into a cup via the gravitational force. When the solenoid actuator14is in a closed position, the stored beverage from the reservoir15flows into the inlet tube10but does not flows through the outlet tube11as the solenoid actuator14restricts the flow of beverage.

In order to switch between the opened position and the closed position of the solenoid actuator14, the power source18is electrically connected to the solenoid actuator14and the microcontroller16is electronically connected to the solenoid actuator14as shown inFIG.6-7. As a result, the present invention is able to restrict or automatically dispense the stored beverage according to the rules and regulations of the game.

In reference toFIG.1andFIG.6, the present invention further comprises a power switch17that is integrated into the base1. The power switch17is electrically connected to the power source18so that the players can turn on the present invention before playing a game or turn off the present invention after playing a game.

The power source18provides necessary electrical energy to power some of the electrical components of the present invention. The power source18of the present invention can be an integrated rechargeable battery that is housed within the base1, at least one disposable battery that is removable placed within the base1, or an external alternating current with integrated alternating current to direct current converter.

The present invention further comprises a cleaning button. The cleaning button is preferably mounted to the base1so that the players can easily access the cleaning button when necessary. More specifically, the cleaning button allows the plurality of dispensing units9and the reservoir15to be cleaned when necessary. The cleaning button is electrically connected to the power source18and electronically connected to the microcontroller16. In order to initiate the cleaning process, the reservoir15needs to be filled with water or any other type of cleaning solution wherein the activation of the cleaning button sets the plurality of dispensing units9into the opened position.

The method of playing the game is here in after explained in relation to the preferred embodiment that allows only four players to compete against each other. However, the same set of rules can be applied to any number of players.

Firstly, the beverage of a choice is poured into the reservoir15from the top, four cups are placed below the second end13of the outlet tubes11, and the power switch17is turned on so that the players can start a game. Once the power switch17is turned on, a series illumination patterns make the game as simple as possible via the plurality of LED lights3. To clearly identify each player, one notification LED light from the plurality of LED lights3is assigned to each player wherein the one notification LED light is directly positioned in front of each of the plurality of the paired control buttons5and continuously illuminated throughout the game as a stagnant red light. Furthermore, a first button of each of the plurality of paired control buttons5is also illuminated so that all four players are aware of which button to press during the game play.

Then, a green light is randomly illuminated within the plurality of LED lights3and starts to quickly circle around the plurality of LED lights3thus allowing any of the players to stop the green light directly in front of them so as to align the moving green light with the stagnant red notification LED light. The circling of the green light can be stopped by any player with the first button. If a specific player is skilled and able to stop the green light in the place of the stagnant red light, the plurality of LED lights3flashes a rainbow color display that wraps around the plurality of LED lights3to demonstrate “a winner” sequence thus indicating that the specific player is the winner of that round. At the same time, illumination of the first button for the remaining three players terminates, indicating gameplay mode has stopped. When the rainbow color display stops, the plurality of paired control buttons5that is designated only to the winner stays illuminated. Then, the winner is able to select any player from the remaining three players to drink the stored beverage. Each time the winner presses the second button of the paired control buttons5, the selection of the player to drink the stored beverage changes clockwise. The player for which the selection is about to be made is indicated by the illumination of three LED lights from the plurality of LED lights3which is centered on a specific player's notification LED. The three aforementioned LED lights are illuminated with the same color as the paired control buttons5of the player who won the previous round and is now making the selection of who receives the beverage. When the winner is ready to make the selection, the winner presses the first button of the plurality of paired control buttons5. Then, the selected player's notification LED light changes into red color from the matching paired control buttons5color while activating the corresponding dispensing unit of the selected player. More specifically, the solenoid actuator14of the corresponding dispensing unit switches from the closed position into the opened position. As a result, a quantity of stored beverage pours from the reservoir15to the cup. Once the pouring of the stored beverage is completed, the solenoid actuator14closes thus halting the beverage flow so that the selected player can then remove the cup for consumption of the beverage. The selected player is indicated to take a drink by the three illuminated LED lights centered around the notification LED light turning from red to green. After a short delay, the three aforementioned LED lights turn off and the four notification LED lights are illuminated with red color indicating a new round of game has started.

The game starts the new round as a green light randomly illuminated within the plurality of LED lights3starts to quickly circle around the plurality of LED light at a random speed. When a specific player tries again to stop the circling of the green light but fails to stop it in the place of the stagnant red light, the game pauses for a short time to show how far off the specific player is from the stagnant red light. Then, the plurality of LED lights3flashes in red color demonstrating “a loser” sequence. After the demonstration of the loser sequence, the three LED lights centered on the player's notification LED light illuminate red and a quantity of stored beverage is poured into the specific player's cup. After the pouring of the stored beverage, the cup can be removed for consumption of the beverage, once again indicated by the three red LED lights changing to a green color.

Furthermore, the present disclosure “on fire” game feature to improve the competitiveness. From round to round, the present invention keeps track of the winner of the previous rounds. For example, when a specific player wins two rounds without losing, five LED lights of the plurality of LED lights3centered on the player's notification light illuminate orange to indicate the rest of the players that the specific player has won two in a row. When the specific player wins three rounds in a row, eleven LED lights of the plurality of LED lights3centered on the player's notification light illuminate in flashing orange/red color to indicate the rest of the player that the specific player has won three in a row. If any player wins three rounds in a row, the present invention pours the stored beverage in a larger quantity than usually prescribed to the player chosen by the winner to receive the beverage.

If a given round is designated the fastest random speed, then an additional reward is possible for an added challenge. When a player succeeds in stopping the circling green LED light on the notification light during the fastest speed, the player is rewarded by all three other players receiving a beverage from the dispensing unit instead of just the standard one player.