Abstract:
A display device having a segment of a functional game table, and display means attached to the segment for providing information about the segment to a viewer is disclosed. The segment of a functional game table may be taken along a longitudinal axis, transverse axis, or other section of the table.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to point of purchase displays generally and, more specifically, to point of purchase displays for game tables. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Customers generally prefer to be able to see and touch items prior to purchasing. Oftentimes it is difficult to convey the appearance and textures of items through photographs on packaging. Display items are often used to facilitate pre-purchase decision making. When an item is manageably small, the item may simply be placed within view or otherwise made available for handling or viewing. However, display of large items such as game tables may force the retailer into a compromise between the display of available items and the forfeiture of floor space for other items. 
         [0003]    In some instances, a retailer may wish to highlight various features and selling points of large item on display for a customer. Packaging may display some of this information, but the packaging may not be readily available for the customer to view. This is particularly so were the decision has been made to actually display a large item itself. The packaged goods may be in a warehouse or otherwise out of view to the customer. Placards and signage may be placed on display items but generally only a limited amount of information can be displayed in this way. Additionally, unless the signage is repeated from every angle, it is not certain that every customer will have the benefit of viewing this information since large items such as game tables may be viewed and used from multiple angles 
         [0004]    What is needed is a system and method for addressing the above and related issues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a display device having a segment of a functional game table, and display means attached to the segment for providing information about the segment to a viewer. A base may be attached to the segment of a functional game table and the display means may include a surface providing textual information regarding the game table. The display means may include a sample of a portion of the game table. In some embodiments, the segment of a functional game table is taken along a longitudinal axis of the table. In other embodiments, the segment of a functional game table is taken along a transverse axis of the table. The functional game table may be a pool table, a foosball table, a hockey game table, or another game table. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a point-of-purchase display system according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another point-of-purchase display system according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a point-of-purchase display system according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The display device  100  generally comprises a portion, segment, or cutaway  102  of a game table. In some embodiments, the segment  102  will be a portion of a full-sized, fully-functioning game table. The game table may be a foosball table as shown in  FIG. 1 , but it may also be a pool table, an air hockey table, a card table, a bowling table, a tennis table, or another type of game table. In some embodiments, the segment  102  will be fully functioning in that it will feature whatever handles, slides, openings, ball returns, and other equipment are normally associated with the full sized game table. In the present embodiment, the full sized game table is segmented to form the display segment  102 . The segment  102  may also be purpose built as half (or another portion) of a game table in order to demonstrate the features and functionality of the game table in a reduced amount of space. 
         [0009]    In the present embodiment, the game table segment  102  will be attached to a display device  104 . The display device  104  provides information and/or displays equipment samples related to the game table segment  102 . In the present embodiment, a base  106  is provided that may attach to the display device  104 . In some embodiments, legs  110  associated with the game table segment  102  will also contact the base  106 . The base  106  may be decorated with tiles, carpet, or other decorations to reflect a game table environment. In some embodiments, the base  106  provides a horizontal floor surface  108 . In some embodiments, the base  106  may be provided with short legs  107  or placed on a forklift pallet for easier transport and placement. 
         [0010]    It can be seen that the display device  104  in the present embodiment provides a vertical surface  105  upon which an information area  112  may be provided for viewing. The information area  112  may provide textual information relating to the game table segment  102 . This information may include, but is not limited to, information regarding the structure of the segment  102 , the materials of its construction, and/or the game and functionality of the display segment  102 . 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, product samples may also be provided on the information area  112 . The samples may include game balls  114 , game handle samples  116 , and/or wood or other material samples  118 . In this way, a customer viewing the display  100  will be able to see and appreciate not only the hardware and features of the display table  102 , but also optional or additional hardware that may be available for purchase. As mentioned, textual information may be provided on the display device  104 . In addition, photographs or diagrams shown at  120  may also be provided. The diagrams  120  may provide information relating to the structure of the game table  102 , rules of game play, and/or other optional features. 
         [0012]    It can be seen with reference to  FIG. 1  that the display table  102  comprises a foosball table that has been segmented or cut approximately in half lengthwise. It will be appreciated, though, that the game table  102  need not necessarily be segmented in the exact manner shown. For example, referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of another point-of-purchase display system according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Here, the display  100  comprises a game table  102  made from a lateral segmentation of a pool table. Whether or not the game table  102  is segmented laterally or transversely, or according to some other section, can be determined based upon the needs of the user or retailer, and the features and functionality to be shown to the potential customer. 
         [0013]    In the present example, it can be seen that display device  100  comprises a display device  104  attached to a game table segment  102  and to a base  106 . However, since the game table segment  102  is a pool table, different features will be provided for the customer to review. Those include, but are not limited to, a slate surface  206 , cushions  204 , a ball return  208 , a cue ball collection  210 , and a cue stick collection  212 . As can be seen, some of the samples (cue sticks  212  and game balls  210 ) will be placed on the display device  104 . The features and highlights of the game table  102  combined with the hardware and material samples provided on the display device  104  will allow a customer to see and evaluate a full range of options available for the game table  102  without resorting only to pictures or miniaturized displays. 
         [0014]    Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.