Abstract:
A game table television and method that allows for more frequent or continuous use of the game table by enabling additional and/or simultaneous use as a television, which may be conveniently enjoyed and/or controlled by the participants and/or spectators of the table game.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to games or amusement devices, and more specifically to a game table system including a television screen or monitor and method for same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Numerous games played either for recreation, or as a profession, involve the use of a game table. Such a game table is often specifically designed for a particular game or a particular type of game. One example of such a game type, and associated table, is billiards (or pool). A pool table typically consists of a level planar surface bounded around its perimeter by elastic or semi-elastic bumpers and intervally spaced pockets. Pool table dimensions vary, but most are large: usually being or exceeding 7 feet in length. When not in use for playing pool, the pool table constitutes a large unused space in whatever room it is placed. To address the problem of wasted space, conversions have been developed that allow the pool table to serve another purpose, such as to provide a game surface for another game, such as table tennis. Thus, even when the table is not used for playing pool, it may be used for another game, thereby allowing increased utilization of the space occupied by the pool table. Unfortunately, such modifications to convert a game table for a first game to a game table for a second game fail to greatly expand the uses of the game table, and the table may often go unused, during which time it continues to waste a large amount of space in the room. 
         [0005]    Additionally, many game tables are found in business establishments, such as pool halls, game rooms, or bars. In many such establishments, different forms of entertainment are provided to customers simultaneously in order to provide a more enjoyable experience for the customer. For example, music, television, or both may be played as background entertainment for participants of a table game for their enjoyment either while playing or while they are waiting to play. Unfortunately, however, the players of the game must usually remain in close proximity to the game table, and are, thus, usually not positioned to take full advantage of the additional forms of entertainment by selecting different programs or songs, as desired, which may be different than those desired by others in the establishment. 
         [0006]    It is desirable, therefore, to provide a game table that allows for more frequent or continuous use of the game table by enabling additional and/or simultaneous uses for various different forms of entertainment which may be conveniently enjoyed and/or controlled by the participants and/or spectators of the table game. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a game table comprising a table, a game surface on the table on which a table game may be played, and a television, wherein at least a portion of the television is integrally incorporated in the game table. 
         [0008]    According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a game table including at least a portion of a television integrally incorporated therewith. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the game surface serves as the screen. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the screen is disposed proximate the game surface. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the screen is movable, removable, adjustable, and/or retractable. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the television is a front projection, rear projection, flat panel, LCD, plasma, CRT, and/or DLP television. 
         [0013]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a method by providing a method of displaying a television image comprising the steps of forming a television image and displaying the television image on a screen, the screen being selected from the group comprised of a screen integrally formed with at least a portion of a game table and a screen operably attached to at least a portion of a game table. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the image is projected onto a front of the screen. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the image is projected onto a back of the screen. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the image is projected onto the game surface. 
         [0017]    Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide an additional or alternative entertainment to a game table. 
         [0018]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to allow participants and/or spectators of a table game to watch television on or proximate to the game table. 
         [0019]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to increase the usefulness and/or enjoyment of a game table. 
         [0020]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the present invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to such specific terminology, and it will be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0027]    Now referring to the figures, in that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIG. 1  shows game table  100  preferably in the form of pool table  110 , and preferably including rails  111  and pockets  113  disposed around a perimeter of game surface  115 . Game table  100  preferably further includes television system  150  comprising television projector  151 , projected television image  153  (shown in dashed lines), and screen  155 . Preferably, screen  155  is formed of at least a portion of game surface  115  and the projected television image is visible on the portion of game surface  115  comprising screen  155 . Television system  150 , and/or pool table  110  may optionally include speakers to provide sound and/or controls to allow adjustment of television image  153 , such as changing a channel, image size, volume, picture-in-picture, contrast, brightness, hue, or other television setting. 
         [0028]    In use, television projector  151  is preferably mounted in a position above game table  100  such that game surface  115  acts as screen  155  of television system  150  and projected television image  153  is clearly displayed in a prominent position on game surface  115 . The size and position of screen  155  may be adjusted relative to game surface  115  as desired or as necessary depending on the game being played and/or the number of television projectors or images included in television system  150 , among other factors. Players may optionally play a table game on game surface  115  while television images  153  are displayed on screen  155 , and the players and/or spectators may watch television images  153  for their enjoyment. 
         [0029]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , game table  200 , in the form of an air hockey table, preferably includes table  210 , rails  211 , goals  213 , and game surface  215 . Game table  200  preferably further includes television system  250  mounted to rail  211  by mounting structure  257 . Television system  250  preferably includes screen  255  for displaying television image  253  such that it is visible by players or spectators of a table game played on game surface  215 . Optionally, television system  250 , or at least screen  255 , is adjustable in a direction along or about axes  261 , and  263  to provide for improved viewing of television image  253 . Television system  250  may further optionally retract at least partially within opening  217  for storage or for protection, such as when moving game table  200 . Preferably, such adjustment, movement, rotation, and/or retraction of television system  250 , or at least screen  255 , is accomplished by adjustment of mounting structure  257 , which may include ball and socket joints, hinges, flexible members, track and carriage systems, pneumatic or hydraulic members, telescoping members, or other structure to accomplish such adjustment. 
         [0030]    As will be understood by one skilled in the art, television system  250  may be any conventional television system including front projection, rear projection, flat panel, LCD, plasma, CRT, and/or DLP, or other televisions. Preferably, television system  250  comprises an LCD or plasma flat panel television. Alternatively, however, television  250  may optionally be a projection television with a projector (not shown) disposed within a housing together with screen  255  or with a projector mounted remotely from screen  255 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . As will be further understood by one skilled in the art, television system  250  may optionally include a protective cover over screen  255  and/or over other elements thereof to protect such screen or other elements from damage. 
         [0031]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , game table  300 , in the form of a table tennis table, preferably includes table  310 , posts  311 , net  313 , and game surface  315 . Game table  300 , preferably further includes television system  350  mounted to table  310  such that screen  355  is visible from above game surface  315 . Optionally, screen  355  may be mounted flush with game surface  315 , and the upper surface of screen  355  may function as game surface  315 , or, alternatively, a transparent protective member may serve as game surface  315  in the area above screen  355 , such that according to either alternative, television image  353  displayed on screen  355  is visible to players and/or spectators of a game played on game surface  315 . Television system  350  preferably comprises a rear projection television or a CRT television, and is preferably securely mounted to table  310 . In another embodiments, however, television, system  350  may optionally be a any conventional television system including front projection, rear projection, flat panel, LCD, plasma, CRT, DLP, and/or other television. 
         [0032]    Having thus described the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that these disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as described and illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.