Abstract:
A game table includes a storage area with a center leaf horizontally mounted in the storage area. When the top cover is in a closed position, the center leaf is positioned at the bottom of the storage area. A pulley system is used to raise the center leaf into a playing position when the top cover is moved to the open position. When the top cover is closed again, the pulley system lowers the center leaf into the storage area. A game board and game pieces positioned on the center leaf are maintained in the same position when the top cover is closed and the center leaf is lowered into the storage area. By maintaining the center leaf in a horizontal position, persons playing a game can suspend the game and safely keep the game pieces in the same position by merely closing the top cover. The game may be resumed by opening the top cover to raise the center leaf back into the playing position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a game board table with a recessed storage area for storing a game board on a center leaf of the table. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide for a table having a center leaf with a pulley system connected to pivotable table top cover. When the top cover is opened and closed, the pulley system raises and lowers the center leaf, and any game board positioned on the center leaf, within a storage area formed in the center of the table. By maintaining the center leaf in a horizontal position, the game board and game pieces on the game board can temporarily be stored without disturbing the game pieces such that the game may be resumed at a later time. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Game boards for games such as chess, checkers, and backgammon are typically played on game boards which are laid flat on a supporting table surface. Tables may be designed specifically for games and recreational purposes, and such tables often include a game board painted on the surface of the table. Other game tables may include a game board integrally formed in the surface of the table by inlays into the permanent structure of the table. 
     The game board and the pieces for playing the game are typically stored in a game box or other storage container. To start the game, the board is placed on a table and the pieces are located on the game board in their appropriate starting positions. The game pieces are moved about the board during the playing of the game. When the game is completed, the pieces are removed from the board and returned to their storage container. 
     For game tables where the game board is integrally formed in the surface of the table, the game pieces are still generally stored either in a separate game box or in storage drawer formed in the table. The game pieces are removed from the storage drawer for playing of the game, and then returned to the storage drawer when the game is completed. 
     A feature which is not generally available with existing game boards and game tables is the ability to store game pieces on a game board for an extended period of time without disturbing the pieces. On occasion, individuals may start a game of chess, but they may not be able to complete the game in one setting. The players often desire to continue the game at a later time. The game board and/or game table must be kept in a safe place where the pieces on the game board will not be disturbed. If there is no place to temporarily store the game board with the game pieces in their position on the board when the game was suspended, then the players are forced to make a written record of the location of the game pieces before storing the game pieces. In order to continue the game at a later time, the pieces must be individually positioned in the proper location based on the written record. Often the players will just abandon the partially completed game if they are forced to move the pieces and the game board to their normal storage position in a game box. 
     Most players will not have a convenient place to store the game board without disturbing the game pieces. In homes with children and/or pets, it is even more difficult to find a space to store the game board without returning the game pieces to their typical storage location. In most cases when a game is suspended for a period of time, there is a high probability that the game pieces may accidentally be disturbed or otherwise moved from their position on the board when the game was halted. 
     Jig-saw puzzles are another table activity for which temporary storage is a problem. People working on jig-saw puzzles often work on puzzles over an extended period of time. Frequently, a partially assembled puzzle must be left on the table for extended periods of time while the puzzle is being completed. Many jig-saw puzzle players would welcome a game table which provides the capability of safely storing a partially completed puzzle. 
     The play of board games, such as Monopoly (registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc.), may also be temporarily suspended by the players during the middle of a game. Players could participate in a marathon game of Monopoly over an extended period of time if there was a safe and convenient means for storing the game board without disturbing the game pieces. For any game which requires an extended period of time to complete, there are often problems in temporarily suspending the game for completion at a later time because there is no convenient place to temporarily store the game in progress. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,466 discloses a table with a mechanism for varying the size of a table top. A center leaf is selectively positioned between a pair of side leaves. The center leaf is stored in a vertical position when not in use. The table top game container disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,925 has storage areas for storing game pieces when the table is not in use. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,360,264 and 3,563,624 describe tables with storage areas which can be configured in various different structures. The tables also include storage compartments for storing games and toys. None of these patens discloses a table which permits the temporary storage of game pieces on the game board when a game is in progress. 
     Other patents related to game tables and the storage of games pieces include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,400; 5,490,675; 3,880,429; 2,292,016; and 716,435. 
     In general, game players often have a need for an attractive game table which includes a convenient storage area for storing the game board and the game pieces in playing position when a game is temporarily suspended. Games which require an extended period of time to complete, such as chess and jig-saw puzzles, would be ideally suited for a game table having a storage area for storing a game in progress. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is a game table with a recessed storage area to store a game board and game pieces in playing position. The game table includes a center leaf which is used to support a game board. Alternatively, the game board could be integrally formed in the center leaf. A pulley system attached to the top cover of the game table is used to selectively raise and lower the center leaf within the storage area. 
     The storage area is an open-top rectangular box mounted in the frame of a table. The storage box is sized to permit the center leaf to be maintained in a horizontal position with sufficient depth to move the horizontal center leaf from a storage position at the bottom of the storage box to a playing position at the top of the storage box. 
     The game table includes a movable top cover to cover the storage box when the cover is in the closed position. The cover is connected to the table frame by hinges such that the cover is pivoted from the closed position to an open position to permit access to the storage area. In addition, the game table is provided with a pulley system having pulley wheels on the bottom of the center leaf. Pulley wires run from one section of the top cover through the pulley wheels under the center leaf and to the other section of the top cover. When the movable top cover is pivoted to the open position, the pulley system raises the center leaf to the top of the storage box. When the top cover is closed, the center leaf is returned towards the bottom of the storage area. The center leaf is maintained in a horizontal position such that the game pieces are not disturbed when the center leaf is raised or lowered in the storage box. 
     When the center leaf is at the bottom of the storage area, spacer bars are positioned to support and stabilize the center leaf. When the center leaf is at the top of the storage area, the center leaf engages the frame to steady the center leaf. Each pulley wire includes a spring segment which provides tension to keep the center leaf firmly engaged with the top frame. 
     The top cover will typically include four movable segments. The outer two segments are hinged to the frame and pivot open such that the surface of the outer segments are coplanar with the table frame when the top cover is in the open position. The two center segments are connected by hinges to the outer segments. When the top cover is fully opened, the center segments pivot under the outer segments to engage the side of the table frame. This provides additional support to stabilize the cover when the center leaf is positioned at the top of the storage area. 
     When a game is played, the game board is positioned on the center leaf. If the game is suspended in mid-game, then the top cover can be closed to lower the center leaf into the storage area without disturbing the game pieces on the game board. When the game players desire to resume the game, the top is opened to raise the center leaf and game board to the playing position. The game pieces will be located on the game board in the same position as when the game was suspended. 
     These as well as other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game table showing the right section of the top cover in a closed position and the left section in an open position, and showing the center leaf in the storage area; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the game table with the top cover in a fully closed position, and with the storage box only being shown in a front cross-sectional view to provide a view of the center leaf, pulleys, the pulley wire, and the spacer bars; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the center leaf; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the center leaf of the game table showing the pulley system and the spacer bars; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged, front fragmental, cross-sectional view of the center leaf and the left section of the top cover of the game table in a closed position, and showing the positioning of the pulley in the outer segment of the left section of the top cover; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the game table with the left section of the top the cover in a closed position and the right section of the top cover in an open position, and with the storage box only being shown in a front cross-sectional view to provide a view of the center leaf; the pulleys, the pulley wire, and the spacer bars; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmental, cross-sectional view of the right section of the top cover in an open position; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the game table with both the left section and the right section of the top cover in the open position, and with the storage box only being shown in a front cross-sectional view to provide a view of the center leaf; the pulleys, the pulley wire, and the spacer bars, with the center leaf being in position for playing a game; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the game table with the top cover in the open position and the center leaf positioned for playing a game, the center leaf including an integrally formed game board pattern for playing chess or checkers; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged, front fragmental, cross-sectional view showing the positioning of the center leaf against the frame, and the positioning of the pulley wire in the recessed groove of the frame, when the top cover is in the full open position; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the game table with the top cover in a fully closed position, and with the storage box only being shown in a front cross-sectional view to provide a view of the center leaf; the pulleys, the pulley wire, and the spacer bars, the center leaf including a game board and playing pieces for storing a game in progress; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the game table showing an additional storage drawer positioned between two legs at the front of the game table; 
     FIG. 13 is a fragmental, cross-sectional side view of the additional storage drawer mounted by hinges to a leg of the table, and showing the front side of the storage box; and 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a game table showing the top cover in a closed position and having a removable section positioned between the hingedly connected sections. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the game table  10  of the present invention includes four legs  12 , a storage box  14  which forms a storage area for horizontally storing the center leaf  16 , and a top cover  18  for selectively covering the storage open top of the storage box  14 . When the top cover  18  is in a closed position, the center leaf  16  is positioned towards the bottom of the storage box  14 . When the top cover  18  is moved to an open position, the center leaf  16  is maintained in a horizontal position and is raised up to the top of the storage box  14  to form a surface for supporting a game board for playing a game. 
     The legs  12  may be any style, such as L-shaped, rectangular, or round. The legs are may be made of any material which is used to build tables and other furniture, such as wood, metal, or plastic, and may be stained or painted to any desired color. The height of the legs  12  are selected so that the top cover  18  is at an appropriate table height for playing a game. There are a number of other configurations which could be used to support the storage box  14  and top cover  18 . Instead of positioning the legs  12  on the corner of the storage box  14 , the legs could be secured to the storage box at the middle of the side panels. An alternative embodiment could have a center pedestal secured to the bottom of the storage box  14  instead of four corner legs. 
     The height of the game table  10  may be provided at any convenient height. The table  10  may have a height of a typical card table or end table of 26 to 32 inches. At such a height, chairs could be positioned about the table  10  for playing games. The table  10  could also be configured at a lower height, similar to a coffee table. In such a shorter configuration, the storage box  14  would have to be sized accordingly. Dimensions of the top cover  18  could also be set at any convenient dimensions. 
     The storage box  14  includes a bottom  20  and four sides  22  having an open top which is selectively covered by the top cover  18 . Two inner support members  24  are used to secure and support the bottom  20 . The two support members  24  are secured on the inside of the legs  12  and extend in parallel between the legs  12  along the side of the table  10 . Alternatively, the bottom  20  of the storage box  14  may be secured directly to the legs  12  using brackets or other fastening means. The inner support members  24  are secured to the legs  12  at an appropriate height in the middle of the legs based on the size of the storage box  14 . The depth of the storage box  14  is sized to provide the desired storage area. A depth of twelve inches or less would be sufficient for most games to be stored in the storage box  14 . 
     A rectangular frame  26  is secured to the tops of the legs  12 . The frame  26  includes a center aperture which is aligned with the open top of the storage box  14 . The aperture of the frame  26  is smaller than the open top of the storage box  14 . The aperture of the frame  26  is typically square or rectangular in shape because most games boards and puzzles are square or rectangular in shape, but the aperture could also have an oval or other configurations. The size of the game table  10 , and the corresponding size of the storage box  14  and the frame  26  can be manufactured to different sizes. The preferred size of the storage box  14  and frame  26  would provide an aperture of approximately two feet by two feet, which would accommodate a standard size chess board. Larger sizes could be used to provide larger apertures for use with jig-saw puzzles or other game boards. 
     The frame  26  includes a top frame surface  28  which supports the top cover  18  when the top cover  18  is closed. When the top cover  18  is open, the top frame surface  28  provides an exposed surface. The top frame surface  28  can be used for temporarily supporting game pieces, snacks, drinks or other items typically placed on a table when playing a game or puzzle. The tope frame surface  28  will be a finished surface since it will be used when playing games. The surface  28  may also be covered with felt or other similar game table finish. 
     The top cover  18  is divided into at least two sections ( 30 R,  30 L), and each of the sections  30 R,  30 L may further be divided into an outer segment  32 R,  32 L and center segment  34 R,  34 L such that the top cover  18  can be pivoted from a closed position to an open position. For the four segment top cover, the outer segment  32 R has one edge connected by recessed hinges  36  to an outer edge of the frame  26  and the other edge connected by recessed hinges  38  to the edge of the center segment  34 R. The other outer segment  32 L is similarly connected by hinges  36  to the outer edge of the frame  26  opposite from the outer segment  32 R. The center segments  34 R,  34 L are connected by hinges  38  to their respective outer segments  32 R,  32 L. When the top cover is in the closed position, the edges of the two center segments  34 R,  34 L are adjacent each other to cover the aperture of frame  26  and the top opening of the storage box  14 . Hinges  36 ,  38  may be butler type hinges or other similar hinges that have a relatively flat profile. 
     When the top cover  18  includes the four segments  32 R,  32 L,  34 R,  34 L, the left section  30 L is moved from a closed position to an open position by pivoting the outer segment  32 L approximately 180 degrees so that the outer segment  32 L is coplanar with the frame  26 . As part of the process of opening the left section  30 L, the center section  34 L is further pivoted approximately 135 degrees until the edge of center section  34 L engages the top surface of support member  40 L. The outer segment  32 R and center segment  34 R of the other top cover section  30 R are similarly pivoted to engage the top surface on top support member  40 R. In this configuration when the center segments  34 R,  34 L are pivoted to engage the top support members  40 R,  40 L, the center segments  34 R,  34 L must be wider than the outer segments  32 R,  32 L in order for the outer segments to be coplanar with the frame  26 . The depth of the support members  40 R,  40 L must be great enough to provide a surface for supporting the center segments  34 R,  34 L. The preferred depth would be 0.625 inches or greater. For a typical game table to be used with a chess board, the width of the top cover can be set at 22 inches with the center segments  34 R,  34 L being 6.0 inches and the outer segments  32 R,  32 L being 5.0 inches. The center segments  34 R,  34 L are typically 8-20 percent wider than the outer segments  32 R,  32 L. Other dimensions would also be acceptable for the table top cover  18  and the top cover segments. 
     When the top cover  18  is in a closed position as shown in FIG. 2, the top surfaces  42 R,  42 L of the outer segments  32 R,  32 L and the top surfaces  44 R,  44 L of the center segments  34 R,  34 L form a table top surface which can be used for a variety of purposes similar to a regular table or end table. When the top cover  18  is in the open position as shown in FIG. 8, the game surface  46 R,  46 L is approximately coplanar with the top surface  28  of the frame  26 . A locking device (not shown) may be used to selectively lock the top cover  18  in a closed position. The locking device could be positioned on the center segments  34 R,  34 L to prevent the segments from being pivoted to the open position. 
     Instead of providing two segments to each of the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L and pivoting the center segments  34 R,  34 L to be supported by the top support members  40 R,  40 L, alternatively the top cover sections could each be made from a single piece (not shown in drawings). In the open position of the top cover  18 , the unitary top cover sections would be rotated a full 270 degrees so that the top cover sections are generally perpendicular to the floor when in the open position. When the unitary top cover sections are in the open position, a substantial load would be placed on the hinges  36 . In addition, this open position would not provide the additional game surface in the horizontal plane. By using a double set of hinges  36 ,  38  with two segments for each section  30 R,  30 L of the top cover  18 , the center segments  34 R,  34 L can be positioned on the top support segments  40 R,  40 L to support the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L in the open position. 
     FIG.  2  and FIG. 5 provide a view of the center leaf  18  with a pulley system extending from the left outer segment  32 L around the bottom of the center leaf  16  and back up to the right outer segment  32 R. A pulley wire  48  is attached to left outer segment  32 L and extends around a pulley  50  attached to the bottom of the center leaf  16 . Another pulley  50  is attached to the bottom of the center leaf  16  such that the pulleys are positioned at opposite edges of the center leaf  16 . The pulley wire  48  extends underneath the center leaf  16  between the pulleys  50  and then is attached to the right outer segment  32 R. The pulley wire  18  may be a steel or aluminum cable rated for supporting the center leaf  16  and any additional anticipated weight to be placed on the center leaf. A 60 pound rating for the pulley wire  48  provides more than adequate strength for most applications. A tension spring  52  is spliced into the pulley wire  48  by crimping the pulley wire to the two ends of the tension spring.  52 . The size and strength of the tension spring  52  may also be selected based on the anticipated weight to be supported by the center leaf  16 . 
     The center leaf  16  may be supported by a single pulley wire  48  and one pair of pulleys  50  positioned towards the center of the center leaf  16 . Additional pulley wires  48  and pairs of pulleys  50  could be added to provide additional stability to the center leaf  16 . Two pulley wires  48  in spaced-apart relationship and two corresponding pairs of pulleys  50  is the preferred configuration. Such configuration provides adequate stability when raising and lowering the center leaf  16 . Additional pulley wires  48  and pulleys  50  add cost to the table  10  without any significant improvement in operation. 
     In order to improve stability and prevent the center leaf  16  from swaying or being tipped at an angle, the size of the center leaf  16  is sized to fit the size of the storage area in the storage box  14  when the center leaf  16  is in a horizontal position. The edges of the center leaf  16  are in close proximity with the sides  22 , and with just enough spacing provided between the sides  22  of the storage box  14  and the edges of the center leaf  16  to permit the center leaf  16  to freely move up and down in the storage box  14 . In order to keep the pulley wires  48  in proper alignment and to provide space for the pulley wires  48  to move up and down without being pinched between the edge of the center leaf  16  and the sides  22 , a notch  54  is formed in the edge of the center leaf (FIG.  3 ). 
     In order to gain access to the bottom of the storage box  14  between the center leaf  16  and the bottom  20 , one of the side panels can be secured by screws  37  to the other sides and bottom of the storage box  14 . The screws  37  can be unscrewed and the side temporarily removed in order to provide access to the storage box  14 . Alternatively, one or more access doors (not shown) could be provided in the bottom  20  or in the lower portion of the sides  22 . The access doors would permit the servicing of the pulleys  50  and the tension spring  52 . The access doors would also facilitate the retrieval of any game pieces or puzzle pieces which accidentally slip between the edge of the center leaf  16  and the side  22  of the storage box  14 . 
     When the top cover  18  is closed as shown in FIG. 2, the center leaf  16  is positioned toward the bottom  20  of the storage box  14 . Since the pulleys  50  and the pulley wire  48  are positioned on the bottom of the center leaf  16 , it is preferable to keep the pulley system from engaging the bottom  20  of the storage box  14 . As shown in FIG. 4, one or more spacer bars  56  are attached to the bottom of the center leaf  16  by brackets  58  or other similar fasteners. Securing a spacer bar  56  in the four corners of the center leaf  16  provides additional stability when the center leaf is lowered in the storage box  14  as the top cover  18  is closed. The spacer bars  56  may be made of any material, such as plastic, wood, or metal. 
     FIG. 5 provides a more detailed view of the pulley wire  48  extending from the outer segment  32 L down to the pulley  50  on the center leaf  16 . When the outer segment  32 L is in the closed position, the pulley wire  48  extends from the game surface  46 L such that pulley wire  48  is positioned approximately perpendicular to the center leaf  16  and parallel to the side  22 . The pulley wire may be attached directly to the game surface  46 L by a staple or other fastening mechanism. In order to keep the game surface  46 L free of the fasteners, the pulley wire  48  may be secured by an anchor  60  positioned in a counter sink in the end groove portion  62  of the outer segment  32 L. The pulley wire  48  is wrapped around the anchor  60  and crimped to secure the end of the pulley wire  48 . Feed holes  64  are drilled in the outer segments  32 R,  32 L to feed the wire from the anchors  60  to the game surface of the outer segments  32 R,  32 L. As noted above, the position of the feed holes  64  is selected to that the pulley wire  48  is positioned approximately perpendicular to the center leaf  16  and parallel to the side  22  positioned when the outer segments  32 R,  32 L are closed. The anchor  60  may be a short segment of a steel rod positioned in the counter sink. 
     After the pulley wire  48  exits the outer segment  32 L, the pulley wire  48  is directed through a frame groove  66  extending from the top surface  28  of frame  26  through to the bottom edge surface  68  of the frame  26 . A fixed bearing rod  70  is inserted into the frame  26  to facilitate the movement of the pulley wire  48  when the outer segment  32 L is moved between an open and a closed position. The fixed bearing rod  70  engages the pulley wire  48  as the outer segment  32 L is opened, and this prevents the pulley wire from wearing down the edge of the frame  26 . The fixed bearing rod  70  may be a single rod or a plurality of rod segments positioned in the frame groove  66 . The fixed bearing rod  70  may be, for example, a steel rod having a diameter between 0.875 and 0.25 inches. A groove  72 L is cut in the top surface  28  of the frame  26  and in the game surface  46  of the outer segment  32 L so that the pulley wire  48  can be maintained in a recessed position when the top cover section  30 L is opened. 
     FIG. 6 shows the table  10  with the left top cover section  30 L still in the closed position and the right top cover section  30 R in the open position. When the right top cover section  30 R is moved from a closed to an open position, the pulley wire  48  is pulled to the right and the center leaf  16  moves approximately half way up the storage box  14  towards the frame  26  of the table  10 . The tension sprint  52  moves to the right side with the open cover section  30 R. A groove  72 R is also cut in the right side of the top surface  28  of the frame  26 , and in the game surface  46  of the outer segment  32 R, so that the pulley wire  48  can be maintained in a recessed position when the top cover section  30 R is opened. If the pulley wires  48  were permitted to rest on the top surface  28  and game surface  46 , the pulley wire  48  might interfere with the playing of the games. The grooves  72 R,  72 L alleviate this problem. 
     The top cover sections  30 R,  30 L may be opened or closed in any sequence. When the top cover section  30 R is opened as shown in FIGS. 6-7, the center segment  34 R is pivoted on hinges  38  until it is position to engage the top support  40 R. This configuration helps support the outer segment  32 R in the open position. 
     FIGS. 8-9 show the table  10  in the open configuration with the center leaf  16  in position for playing a game. Both top cover sections  30 R,  30 L are in the open position. The outer segments  32 R,  32 L are pivoted 180 degrees on hinges  36  to provide additional playing surface  46 R,  46 L. The center segments  34 R,  34 L are pivoted on hinges  38  to engage top supports  40 R,  40 L. Other configurations could be used for the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L and for the support mechanisms. The top cover sections could be formed from a single piece instead of the two segments shown in the drawings. A one-piece top cover section could be rotated 180 degrees to form additional playing surface or 270 degrees to extend along the side of the table perpendicular to the floor. If a one-piece top cover section is extended 180 degrees, one or two support legs (not shown in drawings) could be extended from the bottom of, the top cover section to the floor to provide support. 
     When both top cover sections  30 R,  30 L are in the open position, the pulley wires  48  cause the center leaf  16  to be moved to the top of the storage box  14  such that the edges of the center leaf  16  engage the bottom surface  68  of the frame  26 . The center leaf  16  and rectangular frame  26  are sized such that the center leaf  16  is larger than the opening in the frame  26 . The tension spring  52  is positioned approximately in the middle of the center leaf  16 . The length of the pulley wire  48  is selected so that the tension spring  52  is under tension. This exerts an upward force on the center leaf  16  such that the center leaf  16  firmly engages the bottom surface  68  of frame  26 . Even when a game board and game pieces are placed on the center leaf  16 , there is sufficient tension on the spring  52  to prevent the center leaf from bouncing or slipping into the storage box  14 . 
     When the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L are open, the top surface  28  of frame  26  and the game surface  46 R,  46 L of the outer segments  32 R,  32 L are generally co-planar. The center leaf  16  is slightly recessed from the top surface  28  of the frame  26 , the depth of the recess being equal to the thickness of the frame  26 . The top surface  74  of the center leaf  16  provides a playing surface for playing games. 
     The size of the center leaf  16  and the corresponding size of the aperture of the frame  26  are sized to accommodate playing boards, such as a square chess board or a Monopoly board. A rectangular shaped center leaf  16  could be used for accommodating jig-saw puzzles or other larger games. The top surface  28 , game surfaces  46 R,  46 L and top surface  74  can be finished wood surfaces. Felt or other similar coverings could also be attached to these surfaces for playing games. 
     The center leaf  16  may include a game board  76  integrally formed on the top surface, such as the chess board shown in FIG.  9 . The game board  76  may be painted or stained into the top surface  74 . 
     The grooves  72 R,  72 L in the frame  26  and the outer segments  32 R,  32 L are aligned with the pulley wire  48  and anchor  60  so that the pulley wire  48  may be positioned in the grooves  72 R,  72 L when the top cover  18  is fully open. FIG. 10 shows the pulley wire  48  positioned in the groove  72 L. 
     When the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L are fully open, a free standing game board  78  may be positioned on top surface  74  of center leaf  16 , as shown in FIG.  10 . Chess players  80  are positioned on the game board  78  for playing the game. Any type of game board may be positioned on the top surface  74  of the center leaf  16 . Playing cards, jig-saw puzzles, Monopoly, and other types of games may also be played on the center leaf  16 . 
     If the players of a game desire to store the game pieces in a specific position on the game board  78  or directly on the center leaf  16 , the table  10  of the present invention is able to move from an open position to a closed position without having to move the game board  78  or the pieces  80  on the game board  78 . Players may desire to temporarily store the game board  78  and game pieces  80  during the middle of a game in order to resume the game at a later time. The players may also desire to store the pieces  80  in a position for starting a new game. 
     When the game table  10  as shown in FIG. 8 is in the open position, players are able to set up a game and begin to play. If the players want to temporarily store a game in progress, the top cover is moved from the open to the closed position. To move the game into the storage box  14 , the center segments  34 R,  34 L and the outer segments  32 R,  32 L are pivoted back into the closed position as shown in FIG.  11 . The pulley wires  48  and pulleys  50  provide for the lowering of the center leaf  16  into the storage box. The game board  78  is maintained in a horizontal position such that the game pieces  80  are not disturbed when the center leaf  16  is lowered into the storage box  14 . When the game table  10  is in the closed position, the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L form a table top which encloses the storage box  14 . When the players desire to resume the game, the top cover sections  30 R,  30 L are moved to the open position and the center leaf is raised by the pulleys  50  and pulley wires  48  into the playing position at the top of the storage box  14 . 
     FIG. 8 also shows the relationship between the overall lift of the center leaf  16  in the storage box  14  and the mounting of the pulley wire  48  on the outer segments  32 R,  32 L. The lift distance L is less than the length of the pulley wire is moved, which is the distance between the feed holes  64  on the two outer segments  32 R,  32 L and the fixed bearing rod  70 , such distance being designated as D 1  and D 2  in FIG.  8 . When the right outer segment is pivoted, the lift distance is D 1  and the center leaf  16  is moved more than half way from its storage position to the top of the storage box  14 . When the left outer segment  32 L is pivoted to an open position, the center leaf  16  is lifted the balance of the lift distance L until the center leaf  16  engages the bottom surface  68  of the frame  26 . Because D 1  plus D 2  is greater than the lift distance L, the additional distance moved by the pulley wire puts tension on the spring  52 . This ensures that the center leaf  16  is firmly engaged against the frame  26 . The spring  52  is sized to accommodate the tension placed on the spring when both the right and left sections  30 R,  30 L are in the open position. 
     FIG. 12 shows the game table  10 A with a storage drawer  82  added to the front of the game table  10 A. A second, similar storage drawer could be added to the back of the game table  10 A. The storage drawer  82  can be used to store game pieces, cards, pencils, paper, and other accessories for playing various games. Except for the structural elements related to the storage drawer  82 , all of the other elements of table  10 A are identical to the elements shown for table  10  in FIG. 1; therefore the same reference numbers are used for the common elements. 
     A handle  84  is used to pull the drawer  82  open and push the storage drawer  82  close. The storage drawer  82  includes a front panel  86 , two side panels  88 , a bottom shelf  90 , and a top shelf  92 . The depth of the side panels  88  is selected so that the front side  22  of the storage box  14  engages the side panels  88  or is in close proximity to the side panels  88 . The front side  22  acts as a back panel for storage drawer  82 . A lip  94  is formed on the edge bottom shelf  90  and a similar lip  96  is formed on the top shelf  92 . The lips  94 ,  96  help to retain game pieces and other items stored on the shelves  90 ,  92 . 
     A pair of hinges  98  is used to connect the storage drawer  82  to the legs  12  of table  10 A. In order to permit the storage drawer  82  to open, the hinges  98  are positioned on the legs  12  below the bottom  20  of the storage box  14 . The height of the front panel  86  and the side panels  88  is selected so that the top edge  100  of the front panel  86  of the storage drawer  82  is in proximity to the bottom surface  68  of frame  26 . The storage drawer  82  can be pivoted on hinges  98  until the edges  104  of the side panels  88  come in contact with the corner edge  102  of the storage box  14 . The storage drawer  82  is opened a sufficient distance to permit access to the shelves  92 ,  94  for storing items. 
     As the size of the table increases to accommodate a larger center leaf and a corresponding larger top opening of the storage box, the pivoting actions of the segments of the top cover may become more problematic. FIG. 14 shows a top view of an alternative configuration for the top cover to alleviate any problems in pivoting large segments. On table  110 , a removable section  112  is positioned between the pivotable segments  114 R,  114 L,  116 R,  116 L. The pivotable segments are secured by hinges  118  and hinges  120 , and are pivoted between the closed position and an open position in the same manner as described for table  10 . The center leaf is raised and lowered in the same manner by a pulley system. The segments  114 R,  114 L,  116 R,  116 L must have sufficient size to provide the desired lift of the center leaf. Since the depth of the storage box is approximately the same for any size table, the pivotable segments do not have to increase in size. 
     The removable section  112  is secured between the center sections  116 R,  116 L when the top cover is in the closed position. The removable section  112 , since it is not permanently connected to the table  110 , is lifted up and set aside when the top cover of table  110  is moved to an open position. To return to the closed position, the removable section  112  is placed between the center sections  116 R,  116 L. Latches or other known fastening mechanisms may be used to secure the removable section  112  in the closed position. 
     Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.