Patent Publication Number: US-2011074106-A1

Title: Multi-game table assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to game tables, and in particular to a multi-game table assembly capable of rotation about its width axis. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Watching and participating in sporting events and games is a popular pastime for many people. However, due to time, space and the number of people needed for most such games, it is not always practical to arrange a full-scale game at any particular time. Moreover, due to the skill and physical conditioning required, plus the potential injuries from many such games, individuals are not always prepared to participate in a full-scale game. Other factors such as weather have also been known to make arranging games difficult. Accordingly, there has developed a need and market for indoor or smaller scale games, including recreational game tables which can be played with less room and require fewer people. Game tables allow the participants to simulate a full-sized game with fewer people, less space and in a protected environment. The game tables, for example, can be set up in basements, garages, game rooms, backyards, gyms, party facilities or otherwise and are often played with two or four people. However, prior attempts at developing such game tables often result in game tables having large footprints which take up a relatively large amount of space on the support surface. 
     Additionally, it may be desirable to convert between at least two games within one multi-game table assembly. Improved systems and assemblies for playing and converting between games are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one embodiment, a game table assembly comprises a game table having a game-playing surface. The game table is rectangular in shape and includes two parallel and opposing ends extending parallel to a width axis and two parallel and opposing longitudinal edges extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. The ends are shorter in length than the longitudinal edges. The game table assembly also includes two side support members positioned adjacent the longitudinal edges and a rotating mechanism defining a central width axis parallel to the ends. The rotating mechanism rotatably engages the game table with the side support members at opposing engagement positions along the longitudinal edges. The game table is configured to pivot about the rotating mechanism so that the game table is rotatable about the central width axis. Additionally, the game table is selectively lockable in at least one position. 
     In another embodiment, a game table assembly comprises a game table having a first game-playing surface positioned on a first side of the game table and a second game-playing surface positioned on a second side of the game table. The game table is rectangular in shape and includes two parallel and opposing ends extending parallel to a central width axis and two parallel and opposing longitudinal edges extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. The ends are shorter in length than the longitudinal edges. The game table assembly further includes two side support members positioned adjacent the longitudinal edges and two side adjustable joints aligned along the central width axis and rotatably engaging the game table with the side support members. The game table is configured to pivot about the adjustable joints so that the game table is rotatable about the central width axis to orient one of the game-playing surfaces as desired. Additionally, the game table is configured to be selectively positioned in more than one game-playing orientation. 
     In yet another embodiment, a game table assembly comprises a game table having a first game-playing surface disposed on a first side of the game table and a second game-playing surface disposed on a second side of the game table. The game table is rectangular in shape and includes two parallel and opposing ends extending parallel to a width axis and two parallel and opposing longitudinal edges extending parallel to a longitudinal axis, the ends being shorter in length than the longitudinal edges. The game table assembly further includes two side support members positioned adjacent the longitudinal edges and two aligned side joints rotatably engaging the game table with the side support members. The side joints are positioned halfway along the longitudinal edges and aligned along a central width axis. The game table is configured to pivot about the joints so that the game table is rotatable about the central width axis to position one of the game-playing surfaces as desired. Additionally, at least one of the side joints includes a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the game table at a desired position. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-7  are perspective views of a game table assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a side joint of the game table assembly of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a top cross-sectional view of the side joint of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of another side joint according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a multi-game table assembly is provided in which the game table is capable of rotating about its shorter or width axis to position one of the game-playing surfaces as desired and expose the surface to the players. The game table includes a table bed having opposing first and second game-playing surfaces which may be configured to receive and/or be replaced by additional game-playing surfaces to allow for multiple games to be played on the game table. Additionally, in certain embodiments the game table may be selectively locked in selected desired orientations. 
     A standard game table includes a playing surface, held over a support surface, such as a floor, by a support structure such as one or more legs or pedestals. The playing surface is often rectangular or round, but may be made in various geometric shapes. The playing surface is also typically substantially flat. In many instances, the playing surface is surrounded by a peripheral rail or raised portions of the game table, which typically functions to retain game pieces within the area of the playing surface. The game pieces of the present disclosure may be usable with various types of games and/or game tables, which are considered conventional for purposes of the present disclosure and are not described herein in detail. 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate various perspective views of a multi-game table assembly  10  according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Game table assembly  10  generally includes a center table bed or game table  12 , two opposing side support members  14 , and a rotating and locking mechanism  16  rotatably engaging the table  12  with the side support members  14  and allowing for selective locking of the game table in desired orientations. 
     In the particular illustrated embodiment, mechanism  16  consists of two opposing side joints  18  aligned across the width of the table  12  along a central width axis W c , about which center game table  12  rotates. The joints  18  assist in selectively locking center game table  12  in desired orientations, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In certain optional embodiments, each side support member  14  may define one or more holes  24  through which locking pins  26  may be passed and inserted into corresponding holes  30  (see  FIG. 5 ) in the center game table  12  to assist in selectively locking the game table at a desired position. 
     As illustrated, center game table  12  includes an outer frame  28  which is substantially rectangular in shape with slightly rounded corners. Additionally, game table  12  has a length L and opposing longitudinal edges  40  extending along a length axis L, and a width W and opposing shorter width ends  42  extending parallel to the central width axis W c , wherein the length L is longer than the width W. Center game table  12  preferably includes a first side  44  and an opposite second side  46 . In the illustrated embodiment, first side  44  includes a first game-playing surface  45  and second side  46  includes an opposing second game-playing surface  47 . Frame  28  surrounds and may optionally extend above game-playing surfaces  45  and  47  for certain games a height sufficient to block escape of a playing piece from the respective playing surface. 
     Center game table  12  can be flipped or rotated about opposing side joints  18  to expose either first side  44  or second side  46  depending on which game the players desire to play. In this way, center game table  12  is rotatable about the central width axis W C  with respect to the non-rotating or stationary side support members  14  positioned adjacent the longitudinal edges  40 . When center game table  12  is orientated with the desired game-playing surface facing a desired direction and exposed to the players, center game table  12  may be selectively locked in position with respect to side support members  14  via rotating and locking mechanism  16  and/or locking pins  26 . Rotation about the width axis with respect to side support members  14  eliminates the need for any support or rotational members positioned adjacent width ends  42 . 
     Frame  28  and side members  14  may be made of standard materials such as metal, wood, laminate, particleboard, MDF or plastic. As stated above, the illustrated game table  12  is rectangular in shape defining rectangular game-playing surfaces, however it should be appreciated that table  12  and the corresponding game-playing surfaces can include various shapes as would generally occur to one skilled in the art, including circular, square, or polygonal as examples. Assembly  10  may also optionally include bracing such as opposing cross-bars  22  extending between side support members  14  underneath table  12 . Alternately, the assembly  10  can be supported in other manners, with side support members  14  and cross-bars  22  being only one example of numerous possible support configurations. 
     As will be discussed in greater detail below, additional game-playing panels or surfaces may be arranged on and/or engaged with first and/or second sides  44  and  46  of game table  12  as desired to allow users to play different games on the game table. In certain embodiments, the different games may be intended to be played with the game table being positioned at different orientations, including horizontal, vertical and/or angled positions. For example, users may desire to play games such as hockey or billiards (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) with the game table in a horizontal position, or projectile-passing games (see  FIG. 4 ) or may play throwing games such as darts (see  FIG. 6 ) with the game table in a vertical position, or may play other games such as a bean bag toss with the game table at an angled position (see  FIG. 7 ). To accommodate the various game-playing orientations, in the illustrated embodiment game table  12  is configured to rotate about the central width axis W C  and be selectively locked in one of certain defined positions. In some embodiments, the side joints  18  are selectively locked in place to substantially prevent rotational movement of center game table  12  and preferably position table  12  with the desired game-playing surface facing the desired direction and exposed to the players. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , each of the illustrated side joints  18  includes first and second mating engagement discs  60  and  62  connected together via pivot pin  20 . In the particular illustrated embodiment, engagement disc  60  is engaged with game table  12  and engagement disc  62  is engaged with an optional mounting block  61  which is engaged with side support member  14 , the engagement discs being non-moveably and non-rotatably engaged with the game table and the optional spacer and/or support member. Additionally, engagement discs  60  and  62  define central holes  71  and  73  extending therethrough, each side support member  14  defines a hole  74  extending therethrough, each mounting block  61  defines a hole  75  extending therethrough, and each section of frame  28  defines a hole  76  extending therethrough, the holes being configured for passage of pivot pin  20 . Pin  20  may be threadingly advanced through a nut  80  embedded within frame  28  of table  12  to compress engagement discs  60  and  62  together. When pin  20  is slightly backed out of threaded engagement with nut  80  (see  FIG. 9 ), engagement discs  62  and  64  may be permitted to at least slightly separate so that the game table  12  may be rotated with respect to the side support members  14  and correspondingly the relative angular or rotational positions of the engagement discs may be adjusted. Pivot pin  20  includes a handle portion  21  which a user may rotate to threadingly advance and retract pivot pin  20  with respect to nut  80 . Additionally, pivot pin  20  may also include a spacer  23  adjacent handle portion  21 , with the spacer being configured to abut side support member  14  when pivot pin  20  is fully advanced with respect to nut  80 . 
     In certain embodiments, assembly  10  includes a mechanism to prevent pivot pin  20  from being completely removed from the defined holes. In the particular illustrated embodiment, each side joint  18  includes a lock nut  82  threadingly engaged with the end of pivot pin  20 . Nut  82  moves within table  12  along with pivot pin  20  as pivot pin  20  is threadingly advanced and retracted with respect to nut  80 . When threadingly retracting pivot pin  20 , nut  82  will contact an inner side wall of frame  28  to prevent pivot pin  20  from further retraction out of the holes defined in the various components of joint  18 . In certain embodiments, nut  82  may include an inner ring of locking material  83  to assist in engaging the lock nut  82  with the pivot pin  20 . 
     The illustrated engagement discs  60  and  62  include corresponding inner projections and depressions  70  and  72 , respectively, configured to engage each other when compressed to substantially prevent relative rotation of the engagement discs. In this way, the engagement discs  60  and  62  selectively lock the game table  12  at the desired position. In a particular example embodiment, the projections  70  and depressions  72  are pie-shaped corresponding to the circular shape of the engagement discs. Alternately, other types of engagement surfaces may be present on engagement discs  60  and  62 , such as appropriate gearing, splined and/or toothed surfaces, with the projections surfaces being one non-limiting example of the numerous types of surfaces which may be used. 
     It should be appreciated that the illustrated side joints  18  are one non-limiting example of the numerous possible rotating and locking mechanisms which may be incorporated into assembly  10  to allow for rotation of table  12 . Other rotation and/or locking mechanisms are contemplated, including the example side joint  118  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Similar to side joints  18 , each side joint  118  includes first and second mating engagement discs  160  and  162  connected together via pivot pin  20 , the discs having projections  170  and depressions  172 . Additionally, the particular illustrated joint  118  includes a rotation bar  180  configured to extend through hole  74  defined in side support member  14  and hole  173  defined in engagement discs  162 . The bar  180  includes at least one depressible flange  182  positioned at the end of bar  180 . The flange  182  is configured to be depressed into a corresponding cavity defined in bar  180  while passing through holes  173  and  74  and return to the extended position adjacent outer wall  14   a  of side support member  14 . In this way, the flange  182  catches against the outer wall  14   a  to prevent the bar  180  from retracting back through holes  173  and  73  and thereby prevent unwanted separation between game table  12  and side support member  14 . Additionally, in the particular illustrated embodiment, bar  180  is rotatable within holes  173  and  74  and rotates along with game table  12  to allow for rotation of the game table with respect to the side support members. 
     In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , pivot pin  120  is used to selectively compress and lock engagement discs  160  and  162  together to prevent relative rotation of the game table with respect to the side support members when the table is positioned as desired. The pivot pin  120  does not serve as the member about which table  12  rotates in the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . Additionally,  FIG. 10  is an exploded view showing pivot pin  120  separated from the remaining components of side joint  118 ; however, during use of the joint  118 , pivot pin  120  extends through the components as will be described in greater detail below. Pivot pin  120  includes handle portion  121  at one end, locking portion  122  at the opposite end, and a spacer  123  positioned adjacent handle portion  121 . In certain embodiments, locking portion  122  is integral with pivot pin  120  and handle portion  121  and spacer  123  form a separate member engagable with pivot pin  120  following assembly of the joint  118 . 
     The illustrated joint  118  further includes a locking disc  190  positioned along the inner sidewall of frame  28  within game table  12 . Pivot pin  120  extends through hole  191  defined in disc  190 , hole  76  defined in frame  28 , hole  171  defined in engagement disc  160  and hole  181  defined in bar  180 . In certain embodiments the pivot pin (including locking portion  122 ) may be turned between established locked and unlocked positions with respect to locking disc  190  to enable adjustment of the relative angular positions of the engagement discs  160  and  162 . To allow for the locking and unlocking of pivot pin  120 , the illustrated locking disc  190  includes alternating depressed and raised portions, with the raised portions  192  being shown in  FIG. 10 . In certain embodiments, the pivot pins  120  may be turned via handle portion  121  so that locking portion  122  is caused to slide along the surface of disc  190  over the alternating depressed and raised portions. When the locking portion  122  engages the raised portions  192 , the engagement discs  160  and  162  are caused to compress together with projections  170  received in depressions  172  to substantially lock the engagement discs at a desired angular position. When the locking portion  122  engages the depressed portions, space is made available so that the engagement discs  160  and  162  may be disengaged from contact. 
     As another example, a cross bar or axle may extend through game table  12  along central width axis W C  about which the game table rotates for example. In such embodiments, the cross bar may include ends terminating at the side support members  14 . As yet another example, the assembly may be configured so that the game table rotates about pins, such as pivot pins  20 , with engagement discs  60  and  62  being absent and the game table being locked in desired orientations via other mechanisms. 
     To independently lock or to assist joints  18  in selectively locking the game table  12  at the desired orientation, assembly  10  may optionally include one or more locking pins  26  configured to assist in securing the game table  12  in position and to prevent rotation with respect to side support members  14 . In certain embodiments, locking pins  26  may include a mechanism to inhibit removal of the pins. However, it should be appreciated that locking pins  26  are only one example of the numerous possible locking pieces which could be used to secure game table  12  in position. In the particular illustrated embodiment, each side support member  14  defines a plurality of holes  24  optionally disposed in a radial pattern and game table  12  defines two holes  30  along each longitudinal edge  40  (see  FIG. 5 ). The game table  12  may be rotated as desired until one or both of the holes  30  on each edge  40  are aligned with a hole  24  so that one or two locking pins  26  may be inserted through the aligned holes. When the game table  12  is positioned in the horizontal position, two locking pins  26  may be used to assist in securing the game table at the desired position (see  FIG. 1 ). When the game table is positioned in the vertical position (see  FIG. 4 ) or an angled position (see  FIG. 7 ), one locking pin  26  is used to assist in securing the game table at the desired position. In certain optional embodiments, the one or more locking pins  26  may be secured to side support members  14  via chains or other attachment mechanisms allowing for the pins to be positioned in various aligned holes as necessary and not lost. 
     It should be appreciated that the number, arrangement and positioning of holes  24  and  30  may vary as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art, with the illustrated number, arrangement and positioning being just one non-limiting example. Alternately, holes  24  may be replaced by radial slots defined in the side support members. In such alternative embodiments, for example, a fastener such as a compression clamp may be passed through the radial slots at desired positions and inserted into a selected hole in the longitudinal edge of the game table to selectively clamp the game table in the desired position. In other embodiments, pegs may be disposed on the longitudinal edges of the game table and configured to travel in the radial holes as the game table rotates, with appropriate fasteners configured to engage the pegs when the game table is positioned as desired to selectively lock the game table in the desired position. 
     In other embodiments, holes  24  and  30  and locking pins  26  are absent and either side joint  18  may serve as the sole selective locking mechanism or another appropriate primary or supplemental locking mechanisms may be incorporated within assembly  10  to assist in selectively locking the game table  12  at the desired positions. In yet other embodiments, side joints  18  may be absent (or may only serve as a rotating mechanism) and holes  24  and  30  and locking pins  26  may be the sole locking mechanism for the game table  12 . In further alternative embodiments, game table assembly  10  includes only one side joint  18  and/or only one set of holes  24  and  30  and locking pin  26  along one side of the assembly, with the other side including only a rotating mechanism to allow for the game table to rotate about the width axis W c . 
     When a user desires to flip or invert or rotate center game table  12  to expose a different game-playing surface or to position the exposed game-playing surface differently, the user may unlock the table, for example by removing locking pins  26 , rotate handle portion  21  of one or both (as appropriate) pivot pins  20  to partially or slightly back out the pivot pins  20  a sufficient distance to disengage engagement discs  60  and  62 . Thereafter, the center game table may be rotated to a desired orientation. 
     Pivot pins  20  may be advanced back into game table  12  via rotation of one or both (as appropriate) handle portions  21  to engage engagement discs  60  and  62  together and thereby selectively lock table  12  at the new desired orientation. Additionally, pivot pins  26  may be inserted through holes  24  and  30  to assist in selectively locking the game table. Locking the game table  12  at the desired orientation provides increased stability to assembly  10  and substantially prevents unwanted movement of the game table, especially undesired rotational movement. 
     In certain embodiments, additional game-playing panels or surfaces may optionally be engaged with game table  12  as desired to allow users to play different games on the game table. Assembly  10  may be configured so that additional game-playing panels or surfaces are arrangeable and/or engageable with only first side  44 , only second side  44 , or both sides of the table. Alternately, only game-playing surfaces  45  and  47  are utilized in connection with assembly  10 , with no additional game-playing surfaces being engageable with table  12 . Some game-playing surfaces may be configured to be integral with frame  28 , other game-playing surfaces may be mounted to or otherwise removably engaged with frame  28 , and other game-playing surfaces may rest in place on the game table with no mounting mechanism used to secure the surfaces. 
     The attachment of game-playing surfaces may occur through standard methods such as adhesive, friction, screws, bolts, clips, brackets, Velcro®, sliding edge-in-groove arrangements, or other permanent or removable connection means. As a particular example, fasteners  97  may be used to removably secure target panel  94  to center game table  12  in  FIG. 5 . The game-playing panels may be mounted to or otherwise engaged with the game table in a variety of appropriate manners as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Game table  12  may include appropriate support members to support the game-playing surfaces from underneath. Additionally, the game-playing surfaces may be sized and positioned to extend across the area defined within frame  28  to form the playing areas. In certain embodiments, the game-playing surfaces are positioned to extend all the way to the inner edges of the frame to eliminate gaps. In certain embodiments, each game-playing surface is configured for playing a different table game. 
     In the particular illustrated embodiment, surface  45  is a hockey game-playing surface with opposing hockey goals  80  associated with the frame  28  and configured for passage of a hockey puck. In such embodiments, surface  45  may be integral with frame  28  and goals  80  may be removably positioned midway along ends  42  of the game table. For playing the game of hockey, game-playing surface  45  may include one or more indicia thereon, such as hockey puck position circles and other appropriate markings. When playing other games on first side  44 , hockey goals  80  may be removed from game table  12 . 
     In optional embodiments, additional covers or panels or game-playing surfaces may be positioned on surface  45  to allow users to play different games on the game table. As an example,  FIG. 2  shows a cover or panel  90  placed over the hockey game-playing surface  45  to create a billiards playing surface (see  FIG. 2 ). For playing the game of billiards, first side  44  of game table  12  may include a plurality of billiards pockets  82  and a plurality of billiards bumpers  84  arranged in a standard billiards-playing configuration. For use of the game table for playing games other than billiards, inserts may be removably positioned in front of the pockets  82  to prevent game pieces from entering the pockets. In alternative embodiments, the billiards bumpers and pockets may be removable from the game table  12 . As another example,  FIG. 3  shows a game-playing panel  92  having a chess and checkers playing area and a backgammon playing area displayed thereon, the panel  92  being positioned on surface  45 . 
     Second side  46  of game table  12  is preferably also configured to receive covers or panels or game-playing arrangements. It is contemplated that second side  46  may include a permanently-engaged game-playing surface upon which additional game-playing covers or panels may be positioned or may be configured to receive one or more removable game-playing surfaces. As an example,  FIG. 4  shows a target panel  94  positioned at second side  46  with defined target holes  95  through which projectiles may be passed. As another example,  FIGS. 6 and 7  show a game-playing panel  96  positioned on second side  46  having a dart board area and a bean bag toss area displayed thereon. 
     In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , game table  12  includes a net  98  positioned within the game table between first and second sides  44  and  46  and between edges  40  and ends  42 . The net  98  is configured to catch projectiles passed through define target holes  95  in target panel  94 . Use of the term “pass” is intended to include a variety of actions, such as kicking, throwing, tossing, impelling, propelling, flinging, projecting or otherwise urging a projectile toward a defined target hole, to name a few non-limiting examples. Additionally, the defined target holes may be sized and arranged differently as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art, with the illustrated embodiment being one non-limiting example of a possible arrangement. Additionally, the particular target panel  94  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  is intended for the game of passing footballs, however it should be appreciated that other projectile-passing games are contemplated by the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, target  94  may be removed from engagement with game table  12  and flipped to expose the opposite side which may designed for a different projectile-passing game, such as baseball. In certain optional embodiments, game table  12  may incorporate a projectile return system such as a ramp below an open lower end of the frame to return projectiles received within the frame to a pickup position convenient for the players. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the center game-playing section  12  may be orientated vertically to allow for playing darts and orientated at an angle to allow for playing bean bag toss on panel  96 . Additionally, the game-playing panel  96  may be engaged with game table  12  by being positioned either over another game-playing panel, such as panel  94 , or directly engaged with game table  12  upon the removal of another game-playing panel. It is contemplated that numerous other table games may played on additional covers or panels or game-playing surfaces positioned on the first and/or second sides of game table  12 , including table versions of bowling, shuffleboard, finger football, finger baseball, puzzles, card games, tic tac toe, ring toss, and horse shoes, as examples. 
     Game table assembly  10  may also include game status indicators (not shown), such as score displays and timer displays, mounted to the game table or support members. Additionally, a control box (not shown) may be operably connected to an electronic version of game table  12  for selecting various control functions and could include buttons for turning the power on/off, a game selector button, a game reset button, a score reset and/or adjust button, and/or other appropriate buttons as would occur to one skilled in the art. 
     Game table assembly  10  can be manufactured and assembled from standard materials. For example, the components may be wood, plastic or metal such as aluminum or steel. The game pieces used in connection with game table assembly  10  may be standard or reduced sized. In certain embodiments, game table assembly  10  may be portable and/or disassemblable. Additionally, in certain embodiments, game table assembly  10  may be manufactured to include modular, lightweight components to enhance the ease of transport, assembly and disassembly. In some embodiments, game table assembly  10  requires slight assembly. In certain other embodiments, game table assembly  10  arrives assembled. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.