Patent Publication Number: US-2022226721-A1

Title: Air hockey tabletop assembly, table comprising same and associated method

Description:
The present application claims the benefit and right of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Australian Patent Application No. 2021900129, which is incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. 
     The complete specifications of Australian patent application nos. 2019902573, 2019902830, 2020101427, 2020101713 and 2020903983 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an air hockey tabletop assembly, and a table comprising said tabletop assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Certain table-based games and sports, such as air hockey, pool, billiards, and table tennis, require a relatively large table for play. Additionally, such tables are relatively large, difficult to move, and take up a considerable amount of space. As such, for homes with limited space, having one or more such tables is prohibitive, and thus many people refrain from purchasing such tables and cannot enjoy the associated table- based games in the comfort of their own homes. The dining table is typically the largest table a household might have, and it is generally not easily adaptable for playing tabletop games such as air hockey. 
     Additionally, if one wants to play different table games in their own home, they typically need to purchase a separate table for each game: for example, they would need to have an air hockey table to play air hockey and a separate pool table to play pool. Owning one or more such tables not only takes up a considerable amount of space in one&#39;s home, but these tables are also largely unused for purposes other than the associated table game. 
     A tabletop game such as air hockey is typically played on a table with a smooth top surface having small openings through which air can be supplied to give the puck a gliding effect. It is conventional to form at least this top playing surface with openings from a single or unbroken piece of material so that the playing surface is smooth and flat, and so that air supplied through the openings is even and consistent across the openings. Otherwise, the playing surface may present unevent areas, slopes, bumps, raised regions and the like that would undesirably disturb the motion of the puck during play. 
     There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air hockey tabletop assembly comprising at least two segments, each defining a respective portion of an air hockey playing surface, the assembly being configurable between: 
     (a) an assembled state wherein the segments are joined and supported by a table so as to define the playing surface; and 
     (b) a disassembled state wherein each segment is removable from the table. 
     In embodiments of the invention, in the assembled state, the segments are joined to form a substantially flat and continuous playing surface. 
     The playing surface may be substantially formed of a thin and slick plastic having openings through which air may be supplied to the playing surface. 
     In embodiments of the invention, interfacing ends of the segments comprise support means for maintaining the playing surface in a substantially flat condition. 
     The support means may comprise elongate metallic strips or bars. For example, the support means may comprise a steel or aluminium bar. 
     The plastic playing surface may be at least partially secured to the support means to help keep the playing surface substantially level and flat. This can help to keep the plastic playing surface relatively free from distortions that might otherwise inadvertently affect the motion of a puck moving thereacross. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the support means further comprises connection means configured to enable the joining of adjacent segments at their interfacing ends. 
     The connections means may comprise a complementary tongue-and-groove connection mechanism. For example, the support means of one segment of the tabletop assembly may comprise one or more protrusions, ridges or “tongues”, and the support means of an opposing segment of the tabletop assembly may comprise one or more corresponding and complementarily shaped slots, openings or “grooves” for receiving said “tongues”. 
     In embodiments of the invention, each segment comprises framing underlying the playing surface via which the segments can be supported by the table. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the framing comprises a member underlying respective support means. 
     The framing may include rigid support bars, such as one or more steel beams. The steel beam may underlie and be secured to the aforementioned support means. This may further help the support means maintain its rigidity and may thus impede distortion of the playing surface secured thereto. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the framing is provided with padding for receipt of an upper surface of the table. 
     In embodiments of the invention, adjacent segments are releasably securable to one another. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the assembly comprises two segments, each generally defining one half of the tabletop assembly. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the assembly is configured to be assembled on and supported by tables such as pool tables, billiards tables, dining tables and the like. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a table comprising an air hockey tabletop assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention, the table being configurable between: 
     (a) a first use state wherein the tabletop assembly is disassembled and not supported by the table; and 
     (b) a second use state wherein the tabletop assembly is assembled and supported by the table such that the table can be used for playing air hockey. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the table is height-adjustable. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of configuring a table, such as a pool table, for air hockey, using an assembly according to a first aspect of the present invention, comprising: 
     (a) placing each segment of the tabletop assembly on the table such that they are supported thereon; and 
     (b) bringing the segments together such that they are aligned and define an upper playing surface on which air hockey can be played. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more easily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a pool table carrying an air hockey tabletop assembly according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the pool table of  FIG. 1  carrying one segment of the air hockey tabletop assembly, the other segment being removed and revealing the playing surface of the pool table; 
         FIG. 3( a )  is a rear perspective view of the segment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3( b )  is a front perspective view of the rearmost segment of the air hockey tabletop assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up side view of interfacing ends of the segments of  FIGS. 3( a ) and 3( b ) ; 
         FIGS. 5( a ) and 5( b )  are close-up views of the interfacing ends of the segments of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up top perspective view of a playing surface of the air hockey tabletop assembly at an interface between the segments thereof; and 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the segment of  FIG. 3( b ) . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The Figures show an existing pool table  2  configured with an air hockey tabletop assembly  4  according to embodiments of the present invention. The air hockey tabletop assembly  4  allows the existing pool table  2  to be easily and reversibly converted to an air hockey table, though the assembly  4  may, of course, be adapted for other types of tables, such as dining tables, study tables and table tennis tables. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the tabletop assembly  4  has been assembled to form an air hockey table. The air hockey table comprises an air hockey playing surface  6 . The surface may have evenly distributed openings through which air may be blown by one or more fans. With reference to  FIG. 7 , the fans  8  may underlie the playing surface  6 . 
     The air hockey tabletop assembly  4  comprises two main segments  10   a ,  10   b . The segments  10   a ,  10   b  generally define respective halves of the assembly  4 , and thus each generally comprises a respective half of the air hockey playing surface  6   a ,  6   b . The segments  10   a ,  10   b  can be disassembled from one another and removed from the table  2 , thereby revealing the underlying pool table  2  via which games of pool can be played. 
     Conventional air hockey table playing surfaces  6  are typically made from a relatively slick and thin plastic material. This plastic surface  6  can be prone to warping and distortion if it is not sufficiently supported and/or secured, which can compromise the quality of play, particularly when the motion of the air hockey puck is inadvertently affected by distortions in the playing surface  6 . 
     Additionally, due to the structure and construction of conventional air hockey tables—which involve a porous and thin playing surface and one or more fans for supplying air to the playing surface—it is difficult to physically split or divide the air hockey playing surface  6  and thus table without compromising the smoothness of the playing surface  6 . 
     An important consideration of the present assembly  4  is not only the splitting of the air hockey playing surface  6  but also how to ensure that the two segments  10   a ,  10   b  can be assembled such that the playing surfaces  6   a ,  6   b  thereof form a substantially flat and substantially smooth playing surface  6 . Ideally, the assembled playing surface  6  comprises little-to-no distortions, such as bumps or raised segments, which would inadvertently affect the motion of the puck. How the assembly  4  may be split and configured to achieve a relatively flush playing surface  6  is described below. 
       FIG. 4  shows respective inner ends or faces  12   a ,  12   b  of respective segments  10   a ,  10   b . To assemble the segments  10   a ,  10   b , the interfacing ends  14   a ,  14   b  thereof are brought together on the table  2  to form a substantially smooth air hockey playing surface  6 . 
       FIGS. 5( a ) and 5( b )  show the interfacing ends  12   a ,  12   b  of the two segments  10   a ,  10   b  respectively. Referring to the segment  10   a  of  FIG. 5( a ) , the interfacing end  12   a  thereof comprises a laterally extending and substantially rigid support means  14   a . In the depicted embodiment, the rigid support means  14   a  is in the form of an elongate metallic (e.g. aluminium) member, such as an aluminium strip or bar  14   a.    
     Referring to  FIG. 3( a ) , the thin plastic playing surface  6   a  of the segment  10   a  is secured to the aluminium member  14   a , which helps keep the playing surface  6   a  level, flat and relatively distortion-free. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5( b ) , the other segment  10   b  of the assembly  4  may have a corresponding aluminium support member  14   b.    
     In preferred embodiments of the assembly  4 , the rigid support means  14   a ,  14   b  may also comprise complementary connection means to enable the two segments  10 ,  10   b  to join together. To this end,  FIG. 5( a )  shows that the aluminium bar  14   a  of the left-side segment  10   a  comprises two or more raised ridges or protrusions  16 .  FIG. 5( b )  shows that the aluminium bar  14   b  of the right-side segment  10   b  comprises two or more complementary slots or grooves  18 . When the interfacing ends  12   a ,  12   b  of the respective segments  10   a ,  10   b  are brought together, they may be aligned with one another via a precise tongue-and-groove connection between the ridges  16  and the corresponding slots  18 . 
     After the two segments  10   a ,  10   b  are brought together and aligned via the ridges  16  and grooves  18 , the two segments  10   a ,  10   b  can be selectively secured to one another via securing means  20 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show an embodiment in which the segments  10   a ,  10   b  are securely engaged with one another via a latching mechanism  20 . 
       FIG. 6  shows how the substantially rigid support members  14  (i.e.,  14   a  and  14   b ) align with and join one another when the tabletop  4  is assembled. Although the metallic support bars  14   a ,  14   b  (i.e.,  14  in  FIG. 6 ) are visible, they are substantially level with or just below the plastic playing surface  6 . As such, the metallic members  14   a ,  14   b  do not (or only negligibly) affect the motion of the puck. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , along with  FIGS. 5( a ) and 5( b ) , the air hockey table assembly  4  also comprises a structural frame  22  underlying the playing surface  6  and interconnecting a wooden apron  24  of the segments  10 . Significantly, the framing  22 , which may be formed from steel, includes cross-beams  26  at the interfacing ends  12   a ,  12   b  of the respective segments  10   a ,  10   b . In the Figures, the respective cross-beams  26  are positioned beneath the rigid aluminium bars  14   a ,  14   b  to further help the segments  10   a ,  10   b  maintain their shape and thus minimise the likelihood of warping of the plastic playing surfaces  6   a ,  6   b  at the interfacing ends  12   a ,  12   b .  FIG. 7  also shows that an electric fan  8  underlies each playing surface  6   a ,  6   b  and is configured to supply air to the air hockey tabletop assembly  4 . 
     The metallic frame  22  is configured to rest on an upper surface  28  of the pool table  2  to be supported thereby (see  FIGS. 5( a ) and 5( b ) ). In the depicted embodiments, contact surfaces of the framing  22  are provided with protective padding  30  so that the metal frame  22  does not damage or scuff the table  2  upon which it rests. 
     Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the depicted assembly  4  show comprises two segments  10   a ,  10   b , it is, of course, possible for the tabletop  4  to be formed from more than two segments. This may allow each segment to be smaller and lighter. Additionally, while the segments are shown joining along a transversely extending interface, the interface may instead extend longitudinally, such that each segment is substantially the length of the assembly. 
     The table upon which the air hockey tabletop assembly is assembled may also be height-adjustable, and reference is made to the subject matter contained in the patent applications referenced above. 
     When not in use, the air hockey segments  10   a ,  10   b  may be stowed, for example, on a trolley or cart specifically configured to store various tabletops, such as table tennis tops, foosball table tops and the like. 
     Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 
     The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.