Abstract:
Air hockey tables are disclosed herein. An embodiment of an air hockey table comprises a playing surface and an opening wherein a puck is movable on the playing surface and is receivable in said opening. At least one barricade is movable proximate the opening, wherein the barricade has a first fixed position wherein the puck is prevented from entering the opening when the puck is shot from anywhere on the playing surface, and a second fixed position wherein the puck is able to enter the opening.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/732,338 filed on Mar. 26, 2010 for AIR HOCKEY TABLE of Timothy Crawford, which is hereby incorporated herein for all that is disclosed therein. 
     
    
     AIR HOCKEY TABLE 
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Air hockey tables have four sides wherein two opposite sides have goals. Such tables are usually limited to two players. Some tables have two goals on the same side which allow for four players. However, two players have to stand very close to each other in order to play. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a three sided air hockey table. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a partial, side cut away view of an embodiment of a side of the air hockey table of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the first goal of the air hockey table of  FIG. 1  with a barricade extended. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is the view of  FIG. 3  with the barricade recessed. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a barricade. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a side cut away view of a goal showing another embodiment of a barricade in a first or extended position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  is the view of  FIG. 6  with the barricade in a retracted or second position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a corner of the air hockey table of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a four sided air hockey table. 
           [0012]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of an embodiment of a six sided air hockey table. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of an embodiment of an eight sided air hockey table. 
           [0014]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart describing an embodiment of playing air hockey on the air hockey tables. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    A top perspective view of an air hockey table  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The air hockey table  100  is used to play the game of air hockey wherein the objective is to place a puck in an opposing goal or to prevent the puck from entering certain goals. Unlike conventional rectangular air hockey tables, the air hockey table  100  has more than two goals or more than two sides having goals associated therewith. Accordingly, several players may play each other. The air hockey table  100  and the other air hockey tables disclosed herein offer a different type of play in that there are many different sizes and shapes of air hockey tables. It is noted that the elements of the air hockey table  100  of  FIG. 1  may be out of proportion in order to accurately show the elements. 
         [0016]    The air hockey table  100  of  FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a three sided air hockey table in the shape of a triangle. More specifically, a playing surface  110  is in the shape of a triangle as defined by three sides. The sides are referred to individually as a first side  112 , a second side  114 , and a third side  116 . The sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  may extend substantially perpendicular from the playing surface  110  a distance  126  and serve to keep a puck  120  on the playing surface  110  during play. The distance  126  is large enough to keep the puck  120  on the playing surface  110 , but short enough so as not to impede play. The sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  have goals formed therein or associated with goals as described below. The term “side” as used herein refers to a side of an air hockey table that is able to accommodate or be associated with a goal. Therefore, a small corner section of an air hockey table does not constitute a side as used herein. 
         [0017]    A side cut away view of an embodiment of the air hockey table  100  and the first side  112  is shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the side  112  has a recessed portion recessed portion  134 . A material  132  may be located within the recessed portion  134 . The material  132  may be an elastic material, such as rubber. The material  132  may be material that is replaceable on the first side  112 . Therefore, after considerable wear, the material  132 , and not the entire first side  112 , may be replaced. In some embodiments, there is no material  132 , but there may be a recessed portion  134 . In other embodiments, the recessed portion  134  may be eliminated. In other embodiments, the material  130  may protrude from the first side  112 . 
         [0018]    The playing surface  110  has a plurality of through holes holes  130  that are connected to an air source, such as a pressurized air source (not shown). In some embodiments, a fan or the like is used to force air under the playing surface  110  where it passes through a duct  136  and to the holes  130 . The pressure created by the air passing through the holes  130  at least partially counteracts gravitational force on the puck  120  so that the puck  120  at least partially floats on the air. This is sometimes referred to as an air cushion. 
         [0019]    At least two sides have at least one goal associated with them. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , each of the sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  has a goal associated therewith. The goals are referred to individually as the first goal  140 , the second goal  142 , and the third goal  144 . The goals  140 ,  142 ,  144  are openings in the respective sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  of the air hockey table  100 . The openings are sized to receive the puck  120 . In other embodiments, the goals maybe recessed portions of the playing surface  110 . In summary, the goals may be any device or portion of the air hockey table  110  that captures or otherwise stops the puck  120  when the puck  120  passes a predetermined location. 
         [0020]    During play, players are located adjacent the sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  of the air hockey table  100 . An embodiment will be described in greater detail below where two players may play on the air hockey table  100 , but for this example, three players are present. Each player tries to prevent the puck  120  from entering his goal (the goal proximate the player) and tries to get the puck  120  into the goal of an opposing player. The players may use mallets or paddles commonly used in the game of air hockey to strike and/or guide the puck  120 . There may be several ways to win. In one embodiment, the player with the least number of goals scored against him after a predetermined period is deemed the winner. In another embodiment, players are removed after a predetermined number of goals are scored against them. The last remaining player is deemed the winner. 
         [0021]    Having described some of the basic embodiments of the air hockey table  100 , other embodiments will now be described. In some embodiments of the air hockey table  100 , barricades or the like may be moved into a position to block the puck  120  from entering a goal  140 ,  142 ,  144 . For example, if only two players want to play on the air hockey table  100 , the third goal may be barricaded or blocked. In other embodiments, during play, if a player has a predetermined number of goals scored against him, he may have been deemed to have lost and the barricade associated with his goal may close. In such a situation, the remaining players may play without the game being impeded by an open goal of the player that lost. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , each of the goals  140 ,  142 ,  144  has a slot in front of it. The slots are referred to individually as the first slot  150 , the second slot  152 , and the third slot  154 . As described with reference to  FIG. 3 , the barricades may be in the slots  150 ,  152 ,  154  and may be raised through the slots to deactivate their respective goals. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the proximity of the first goal  140  with a barricade  160  in an extended position, which blocks the puck  120  from entering the first goal  140 . When a barricade is in an extended position to block the puck  120  from entering a goal, the barricade is sometimes referred to as being in a first position.  FIG. 4  is the same view as  FIG. 3 , except the barricade  160  is recessed below or even with the playing surface  110 . When a barricade is in a position to enable the puck  120  to pass to the goal, the barricade is sometimes referred to as being in a second position. Although  FIGS. 2 and 3  refer to the first goal  140 , they are applicable any of the other goals described herein. The barricade  160  of  FIG. 2  has a front face  162  and a top surface  164 . The front face  162  serves to stop the puck  120  from entering the first goal  140 . In many circumstances, the puck  120  will be deflected off the front face  162  of the barricade  160 . In other circumstances, the puck  120  is deflected off either side of the barricade  160 . 
         [0024]    When the barricade  160  is recessed as shown in  FIG. 3 , the puck  120  may enter the first goal  140 . In addition, the top surface  164  of the barricade  160  may be even with the playing surface  110 . When the surfaces  110 ,  164  are even, the movement of the puck  120  over the first slot  150  is less likely to be impeded. In addition, the slot  150  may be narrow enough to as not to impede the movement of the puck  120  as the puck  120  passes over the slot  150 . The slot  150  has a perimeter  168  that may be tapered downward from the playing surface  110 . This taper reduces the interference that the puck  120  may encounter when it passes over the slot  150 . The above-described devices for enabling the puck  120  to pass unimpeded over the slot  150  also apply to mallets or paddles used by players to strike the puck  120 . Mallets and paddles may also pass over the slot  150  unimpeded. 
         [0025]    In other embodiments, air is forced out of the slot  150 . The air serves to keep the puck  120  elevated as it passes over the slot  150 . More specifically, as the puck  120  passes over the slot  150 , air emitted from the slot serves to elevate the puck  120  so that the puck travels unimpeded over the slot  150 . 
         [0026]    Another embodiment of a barricade system is shown in  FIG. 5  which discloses a plurality of pins  170  that extend through a plurality of holes  172  from the playing surface  110 . The pins  170  have top surfaces  174  that may be substantially flat. When the pins  170  are extended as shown in  FIG. 5 , the puck  120  is prevented from entering the first goal  140 . When the pins  170  are retracted into the holes  172 , the flat surfaces  174  of the pins  170  may be even with the playing surface  110 . Accordingly, neither the puck  120  nor mallets or paddles will interfere with the pins  170  as they travel across the holes  172 . 
         [0027]    Another embodiment of a barricade  180  is shown in  FIG. 6 , which is a side cut away view of the first goal  140 . The first goal  140  and, in some embodiments, all the goals, have a puck receiver  178  that is used to hold the puck  120  after it passes through the goal. Depending on the status of the game, the puck  120  may be kept in the puck receiver  178  to end a game or returned to a player to continue game play. The barricade  180  extends into the first side  112  and, therefore, does not interfere or modify the playing surface  110  when it is extended. The barricade  180  has a front or first surface  182  that resembles the portion of the first side  112  that intersects the playing surface  110 . With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , the barricade  180  has a recessed portion  184  and a material  182  that are substantially similar or identical to the recessed portion  134  and material  132  of the first side  112  as described with reference to  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, when the barricade  180  is in the extended or first position as shown in  FIG. 6 , the first side  112  is substantially uniform without any, or very few, inconsistencies and the first goal  140  is blocked. 
         [0028]    The barricade  180  has a top surface  185  that may be shaped to fit into a corresponding surface  187  within the first side. The top surface  185  as shown in  FIG. 6  is curved and fits into an opposing curve in the surface  187  within the first side  112 . The curved, or otherwise slanted shape, of the top surface  185  serves to maintain the barricade  180  in a fixed position relative to the first side  112  even if the barricade  180  is struck by the puck  120 . Therefore, there will be little difference in the rebounding characteristics of the puck  120  between the first side  112  and the barricade  180 . When the barricade  180  is in the second or retracted position that allows the puck  120  to enter the puck receiver  178 , the curved top surface  185  facilitates the puck  120  entering the puck receiver  178 . 
         [0029]    The barricade  180  is connected to or otherwise coupled with an actuator  186  which moves the barricade  180  between the extended position shown in  FIG. 6  and a retracted position shown in  FIG. 7 . The actuator  186  may use electromagnetism, servos, hydraulics, or other systems to move the barricade  180 . 
         [0030]    Having described the barricades, embodiments of the corners of the air hockey table  100  will now be described. Reference is made to  FIG. 8 , which is a top plan view of the intersection of the first side  112  and the third side  116 . It is noted that  FIG. 8  shows the intersection of the first side  112  and the third side  116 , however, the description is applicable to all sides of the air hockey table  100  and its related embodiments, such as air hockey tables described below with more than three sides. The intersections of the sides form corners that may stop the puck  120 , which may temporarily stop game play. For example, the puck  120  may be wedged into the corner  190  at the intersection of the sides  112 ,  116  where its speed is reduced or stopped. In order to prevent the puck  120  from becoming slowed by contacting the corner  190 , a corner piece  192  is placed in the corner  190 . The corner piece  192  may be any piece of material that is placed in the corner  190  and that is able to withstand being struck by the puck  120 . In some embodiments, the corner piece  192  has the same profile as the sides  112 ,  116  as shown in  FIG. 6  so as to prevent any inconsistencies in the sides. In some embodiments, the corner piece  192  is concave and has a radius  194 . The radius  194  is greater than the radius  196  of the puck  120 . Accordingly, the puck  120  will not get stuck in the corner  190 . 
         [0031]    With regard to the corner  190 , the air hockey table  100  may be manufactured in a manner where a corner section  208  is attached to two sides. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the first side ends at a location  200  and the third side ends at a location  202 . A corner section  208  that may include the corner piece  192  is attached to the sides  112 ,  116 . During the manufacturing process, the corner section  208  may be manufactured separate from the sides  112 ,  116  and attached during assembly of the air hockey table  100 . 
         [0032]    The air hockey table  100  shown in the figures above has three sides, but has been described as having virtually any number of sides. For example, the air hockey tables described herein may have between four and ten sides. Air hockey tables with numerous sides will now be described. 
         [0033]    A top plan view of an embodiment of four sided air hockey table  220  is shown in  FIG. 9 . The air hockey table  220  may be rectangular, square, or any other shape with four sides. The air hockey table  220  has a first side  222  with a first goal  223 , a second side  224  with a second goal  225 , a third side  226  with a third goal  227 , and a fourth side  228  with a fourth goal  229 . The goals  223 ,  225 ,  227 ,  229  may be substantially the same as the goals described above with reference to the air hockey table  100 . Likewise, the sides  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228  may be substantially the same as described. The playing surface  110  may be the same as described above except for the shape. The sides  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228  may be joined by four corner portions  229 . The corner portions  229  may be substantially similar to the corner portion  208 ,  FIG. 8 , except for the angle in which the sides join the corner portions. 
         [0034]    The air hockey table  220  enables up to four players to play simultaneously. Because the goals  223 ,  225 ,  227 ,  229  may have barricades associated with them, fewer than four players may play because a goal will not be left open. When a player has a predetermined number of goals scored against him, the barricade associated with his goal may block the goal, so the player may not continue to play. The last remaining player may be deemed the winner. In another embodiment of a game, the players may play for a predetermined period. The player with the fewest goals scored against him at the end of the period may be deemed the winner. In yet another embodiment, the players may be on teams. For example, players on the first side  222  and the third side  226  may play players on the second side  224  and the fourth side  228 . Again, the team with the fewest goals scored against it after a predetermined period may be deemed the winner. 
         [0035]    A top plan view of a six sided air hockey table  250  is shown in  FIG. 10 . As with the other tables, the air hockey table  250  may include goals that have barricades associated with them. The air hockey table  250  has six goals  252  wherein one goal is associated with each of the six sides  256 . It is noted that the air hockey table  250  need not have six goals  252 . Depending on the user requirements, the air hockey table  250  may be manufactured with fewer than six goals  252 . For example, the air hockey table  250  may be manufactured with three goals rather than six. Likewise, the sides do not have to have a single goal associated therewith. 
         [0036]    The playing surface  110  of the air hockey table  250  is defined by the six sides  256 , which are shown in  FIG. 10  as being substantially uniform. It is noted that the sides  256  of the air hockey table  250  do not all have to be uniform in length. Varying the lengths of the sides  256  will vary the angles between the adjacent sides, which will vary the game play. The sides  256  are joined together by corner portions  258 . In the embodiments wherein all the sides  256  are all the same length, the corner portions are substantially similar to each other. In such an embodiment, the air hockey table  250  may be manufactured by fabricating six substantially similar sides  256  and six substantially similar corner portions  258  and then joining them together. 
         [0037]    A top plan view of an eight sided air hockey table  270  is shown in  FIG. 11 . As with the other tables, the air hockey table  270  may include goals that have barricades associated with them. It is noted that the air hockey table  270  need not have eight goals. Depending on the user requirements, the air hockey table  270  may be manufactured with fewer than eight goals. For example, the air hockey table  270  may be manufactured with four goals rather than eight. In addition, the sides of the air hockey table  270  do not all have to be uniform in length. 
         [0038]    Other embodiments of air hockey tables may have two goals with more than five sides. In such embodiments, goals may be associated with two sides wherein the total number of sides is five or greater. In a six sided air hockey table, the goals may be opposite each other. The sides without goals may be facing each other. The intersections of these sides may be the same or different angles. 
         [0039]    As shown above, the air hockey tables may be made with any number of sides and goals. For example, in addition to the air hockey tables described above, air hockey tables may have five, seven, nine, or ten sides. With regard to the goals, they may be placed on any of the sides and, in some embodiments, at least one side may have more than one goal associated therewith. In some embodiments, the air hockey tables with fewer goals than sides may be configured so that the goals oppose each other. In other embodiments, the goals may be adjacent each other. For example, an eight sided air hockey table may be made with four goals all associated with adjacent sides. This configuration may also be achieved by an eight sided air hockey table with eight goals wherein only four goals are active or have their barricades in a position to allow the puck  120  to enter. 
         [0040]    Having described embodiments of air hockey tables, methods of manufacturing air hockey tables will now be described. Reference is made to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11 . All the air hockey tables  100 ,  220 ,  250 ,  270  may be manufactured using similar components. In some embodiments, all the sides of the air hockey tables are the same size. Therefore, one size side will fit air hockey tables with three sides, four sides, five sides, and so on. The manufacturer only needs to put the correct corner portion on the air hockey table. In some embodiments, the sides may have slightly different sizes depending on the different shaped air hockey tables. However, the barricade mechanisms may be the same. In these situations, the sides only need to be cut to fit the specific air hockey table shape. 
         [0041]    Some embodiments of the air hockey tables have scoring mechanisms associated with them. The scoring mechanisms may be in the form of a score board located above the playing surface  110  or score indications associated with each goal, wherein each goal is associated with a specific player. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a scoreboard  300  may be suspended above the playing surface  110  by a plurality of rods  304 . The rods  304  may extend between holes  310  in the corner portions  229  and the scoreboard  300 . The rods  304  may be used with all of the configurations of the air hockey tables. Although, their lengths may have to be modified slightly depending on the shape of the air hockey tables. 
         [0042]    The scoreboard  300  may have a plurality of sides that display score. The number of sides on the scoreboard may correspond to the number of goals or sides of the air hockey table. With regard to the four sided air hockey table  220  of  FIG. 9 , the scoreboard has four sides, one for each player when the maximum of four players are playing. Each side of the scoreboard  300  may display the number of goals or points scored against the goal the side is facing. For example, the player at the first goal  223  can look at the scoreboard  300  and see the number of goals or points that have been scored in the first goal  223 . In addition, each side may display the number of goals or points scored against other players. The scoreboard  300  may also indicate the scores of teams during team play. 
         [0043]    The air hockey tables described above may have different numbers of players playing at any time. For example, the six sided air hockey table  250  may have four players starting the game. As the game progresses, players may be eliminated. In some embodiments, new players may join a game in progress. A computer or computer processor running a program on a computer-readable medium may control the game, including barricades, scoring, puck return, and air flow to the playing surface  110  as described below. 
         [0044]    One embodiment of playing a multiple player air hockey game is shown by the flowchart  400  of  FIG. 12 . The flowchart  400  is applicable to many of the air hockey tables described above. The steps described in regard to the flowchart  400  may be performed by a computer or other electronic device. In some embodiments, the steps of the flowchart  400  are performed by software running on a computer. In step  404 , the air hockey table receives an input indicating that a player wants to play. The input is received at or in association with a goal. For example, the input may be in the form of money inserted into a money receiving device associated with the first goal. In other embodiments, buttons or the like may be depressed indicating that a player wants to play at the first goal. 
         [0045]    At step  406 , the air hockey table may wait a preselected period for other players to join the game. This joining may be accomplished by the players inserting more coins or providing other indications. The indications may also indicate which goal the players are to be associated with. 
         [0046]    At this time, the number of players and their positions are established. At step  408 , the barricades associated with these players are then removed or put in the second position that enables the puck  120  to pass past the barricades and into the goals. At the same time, the air may be turned on so that air passes to the playing surface  110  as described above and as shown at step  410 . A puck  120  may then be released as shown in the step  412 . 
         [0047]    The game may then commence. During the game, the players may try to eliminate other players by scoring goals or points against the other players. The number of goals scored against each player may be recorded as shown at step  414 . The game may be played in several different versions that are applicable to step  416 . In one version, the goals are counted. When a player has a preselected number of goals scored against him, his barricade is placed into the first position, which prevents the puck  120  from entering the goal. This player has been eliminated. A light or other indicator may also provide an indication that the player has been eliminated. The game may continue until there is one player remaining, who is deemed the winner. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment, the goals or points are counted for a specific period. The person with the least number of goals scored against him after the end of the period is deemed the winner. In yet another embodiment, teams may play. A keypad or other input device may be used to establish teams. For example, with the six sided air hockey table  250  of  FIG. 10 , the players may be in teams, such as three teams of two players or two teams of three players. A keyboard or the like may be used to enter team information into the air hockey table or a computer operating the air hockey table. As with the previous versions of the games, a team may be eliminated when a preselected number of goals are scored against it. Alternatively, after a preselected period, the game may end and the team with the fewest goals scored against it is deemed the winner. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, players may enter a game that is in play. For example, if three players are playing the six sided air hockey table  250  of  FIG. 10 , a fourth player may enter the game. The fourth player may provide an input to the air hockey table  250  or the computer controlling the air hockey table  250  that he wants to enter the game. In some embodiments, the fourth player puts money into a money receiver associated with a goal. The barricade associated with the goals moves to the second position to allow the puck to enter the goal. The new player may commence playing with the greatest number of points or goals of any other player. As an example, if the second player is losing with two goals, the fourth player may start the game with two goals. 
         [0050]    The description above relates to many embodiments of air hockey tables and different methods to play air hockey. Further embodiments of air hockey tables will now be disclosed. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , lights  450  may be put on the sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  to indicate whether the goal or goals associated with a side are active. More specifically, the lights  450  may indicate the status of the barricade. For example, a first color light may indicate that the barricade is in the first position meaning that a player using the goal has been eliminated or has not yet entered a game. A second color light may indicate that the barricade is recessed or in the second position, which enables the player to play. This indication may inform the player of his status. For example, a player may not be able to see his goal because of his position relative to the air hockey table. The lights provide such an indication. In a similar embodiment, lights  460  may be placed on the sides  112 ,  114 ,  116  facing the playing surface  110 . The lights  460  may serve the same function as the lights  450 , but they may be seen better by the other players and may also illuminate the playing surface  110  proximate their respective goals. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , lighting may also be used in the goals. For example, a light may be located in the puck receiver  178 , which causes light to be emitted from the associated goal when the barricade  180  is recessed or in the second position. In a related embodiment, at least a part of the barricade may be translucent and two different colored light sources may be located in the puck receiver  178 . The light emitted by the translucent portion of the barricade  180  indicates that the barricade is up and the player associated therewith should not be playing. 
         [0053]    The lights  450 ,  460  may also be used for other purposes. For example, at the start of a game, the players need to obtain a puck  120  from a puck receiver  178 . Lights  450 ,  460  may provide an indication as to the location of the puck. In addition, the lights  450  may indicate which player is in the lead during a game or which player is losing. At the end of a game, the lights  450 ,  460  may indicate which player won. The lights may also indicate when a goal has been scored and against whom. 
         [0054]    The outer sides of the air hockey tables may contain ledges or the like that may hold beverages or other items. These ledges are on the outer sides in order to prevent the beverages or other items from being spilled or otherwise place on the playing surfaces  110 . The tops of the sides may be curved or otherwise shaped to prevent people from placing items on the tops of the sides. Accordingly, by preventing items from being so placed, the items are less likely to spill or otherwise be located on the playing surfaces  110 .