Patent Publication Number: US-6220598-B1

Title: Gaming table protective skirt

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gaming table coverings. Specifically, the present invention is a protective skirt which covers at least a portion of the playing surface of a gaming table. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming tables known in the art typically have flat, solid surfaces covered by a fabric such as felt. However, it is known in the art that the fabric covering the playing surface of gaming tables is subject to wear and damage requiring frequent replacement of the fabric covering. Aside from the normal wear of cards rubbing on the surface and players resting arms, hands, elbows, and the like on the surface, the playing surface may be damaged by condensation from drinks, spills, cigarette and cigar burns, and the like to such an extent that replacement of the playing surface fabric is required. The frequent replacement of such playing surface fabric adds to the costs, in both money and labor, associated with operating a casino. 
     Often a player will be supplied with a napkin, coaster, or other means of catching condensation from a drink container. However, such devices do not necessarily prevent condensation from reaching the playing surface fabric. For example, if a napkin becomes saturated, the excess condensation will be absorbed by the playing surface fabric. Moreover, the mere rubbing of the napkin, coaster, ash tray, or the like on the playing surface fabric will cause wear and, eventually, necessitate replacement. 
     Thus, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a device which overlays at least a portion of the playing surface to prevent wear of the playing surface fabric. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is used in conjunction with a gaming table of the type including a player area and a dealer area, said gaming table including a rail covering the margin of the gaming table at the player area. The present invention is a skirt having an outer edge and an inner edge. The outer edge of the skirt is disposed proximate the rail so that the skirt extends to overlay at least a portion of the player area of the gaming table surface. The inner edge is optionally tapered to facilitate the sliding of playing cards across the inner edge. 
     In an optional embodiment, the skirt is secured from movement by securing the outer edge of the skirt between the rail and the gaming table. In a further optional embodiment, the skirt has a shape that conforms to the gaming table at the player area. That is, the skirt is formed or shaped such that the shape of the skirt corresponds to the shape of the gaming table at the player area. For example, in one optional embodiment specifically designed for use with gaming tables having an arcuate shape at the player area, the skirt has a substantially arcuate shape. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to overlay at least a portion of the playing surface of a gaming table to protect the gaming table surface from wear and damage. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a gaming table known in the art; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a gaming table skirt according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along section line A—A; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the gaming table skirt according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 overlaying the gaming table of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the gaming table and gaming table skirt of FIG. 4 taken along section line B—B. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is used with a gaming table  10  known in the art. The gaming table  10  has a gaming table surface  12  upon which the gambling game is played. The gaming table surface  12  is typically a fabric, such as felt, covering a flat, solid surface. The gaming table  10  includes a dealer area  14  and a player area  16 . A rail  18  covers the margin of the gaming table  10  at the player area  16 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 2-3, the present invention is a skirt  20  having an inner edge  22  and an outer edge  24 . The skirt  20  is optionally formed from a polymer that is impervious to liquids and resistant to burning. In one optional embodiment, the polymer is clear so that the skirt  20  will not unduly distract players or detract from the look of the gaming table  10 . The skirt  20  is optionally thin and substantially flat. The outer edge  24  of the skirt  20  is disposed proximate the rail  18  so that the skirt  20  extends onto the gaming table surface  12  at the player area  16 . Thus, the skirt  20  overlays at least a portion of the gaming table surface  12  in front of the players. That is, the skirt  20  may cover the entire gaming table  10  or, in the optional embodiment of FIGS. 4-5, the skirt  20  may cover only a portion of the gaming table  10 . The portion of the gaming table surface  12  covered by the skirt  20  is protected from damage and wear caused by player&#39;s resting their arms, hands, and elbows on the gaming table surface  12  as well as placing drink containers, ash trays, burning tobacco products, and the like on the gaming table surface  12 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the skirt  20  may optionally be held in place by securing the outer edge  24  between the rail  18  and the gaming table  10 . In other words, the skirt  20  is prevented from moving by sandwiching the outer edge  24  between the rail  18  and the gaming table  10 . Additionally, the ends of the skirt  20  may aid in securing the skirt  20  from moving by abutting a stop or the like at the dealer area  14 . 
     It is contemplated that the present invention could be used for any gaming table  10  without regard to the shape of the gaming table  10 . Thus, the table could be used with a rectangular table, such as a craps table, an arcuate table, such as a blackjack table, or any other shaped table. Optionally, the outer edge  24  of the skirt  20  is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of the gaming table  10  at the player area  16 . Thus, for a rectangular table, the outer edge  24  would be substantially a straight line. Likewise, for an arcuate gaming table  10 , as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the outer edge  24  would be substantially arcuate to conform to the shape of the gaming table  10 . 
     While not necessary, the inner edge  22  in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is substantially parallel to the outer edge  24 . In an optional embodiment, the inner edge  22  of the skirt  20  is also tapered to allow cards to slide easily over the inner edge  22  as they are dealt. 
     The skirt  20  may be built into newly constructed gaming tables  10  or, alternatively, be retrofitted onto existing gaming tables  10 . In retrofitting an existing gaming table  10  with the skirt  20 , the skirt  20  is positioned on the gaming table  10  to overlay at least a portion of the player area  16  of the gaming table surface  12  and secured from movement. In an optional embodiment, the skirt  20  is secured from movement by removing the rail  18  by unfastening the fasteners securing the rail  18  to the gaming table  10 . The skirt  20  is positioned to rest under the rail  18  when reattached. The rail  18  is positioned in its original position with the skirt  20  disposed between the rail  18  and the gaming table surface  12 . The rail  1   8  is reattached to the gaming table  10  to thereby secure the skirt  20  from movement. 
     In use, the gaming table is used in a manner known in the art. That is, the skirt  20  does not interfere with the normal use of the gaming table. However, with the skirt  20  in place, players may rest their arms, elbows, and hands as well as drink containers, ash trays, and the like on the skirt  20  without causing wear to the gaming table surface  12 , thereby extending the life of the fabric thereon. Likewise, spills, ashes from burning tobacco products, and the like contacting the skirt  20  will be prevented from damaging the gaming table surface  12  underlying the skirt  20 . 
     While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims presented herein.