Patent Publication Number: US-6669194-B2

Title: Marble table

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/316,102, entitled MARBLE TABLE, filed on Aug. 30, 2001, by Isiah Houston, Jr., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Marbles are, of course, small, hard balls made from clay, stone, glass, steel, wood, or any other suitable material. Children and adults have played the game of marbles for thousands of years beginning first with the Romans and in ancient Egypt. A marble made of pure marble or other suitable stone is highly priced and generally regarded as being the most accurate for shooting. However, they are also the most expensive and rare. On the other hand, clay marbles tend to be relatively inexpensive, but tend to have inaccurate dimensions and a dull appearance. Today, glass marbles are most typical. 
     Traditionally, marble games are played on the ground. To play traditional marbles, players begin by drawing a circle that is three to ten feet in diameter. The diameter of the circle is determined by the skill of the players. Players with greater skill utilize a larger diameter circle. Players put thirteen mibs (smaller marbles that are typically about ⅝ of an inch in diameter) in the center of the circle. The players then decide whether they will play for “keepsies” (playing for ownership of the marbles you win) or just for fun. Once decided, the game begins by one player placing their knuckles on the ground outside the ring and flicking their shooter marble or Taw (a larger typically more expensive marble having a diameter of at least ½ inch, but not more than ¾ inch in diameter) at the other marbles within the ring attempting to knock the mibs out of the circle while not shooting the Taw out of the circle. If the player is successful, the player shoots again. Of course, there are numerous other marble games that can be played as well. 
     Because of the historical and continued popularity of marble games with both children and adults, there is a significant need for an adaptable marble playing table that can be played in a more traditional fashion—at ground level—or in a elevated game table environment. 
     The present invention generally relates to game tables and their components. More particularly, the present invention relates to adjustable marble game tables and the components used to construct such tables. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a marble playing table assembly that typically includes: a table portion; a removable playing surface; and a removable marble table section. The table portion typically includes a support surface and at least one downwardly extending support member attached to the support surface and may include a leveling adjustment device. The removable playing surface has a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may have at least one support peg receiving cavity and at least one playing surface alignment mark. The removable marble table section has an upright marble retention section which defines a sloped center section, a bottom surface, an inwardly projecting portion, and at least one support peg. The support peg(s) are connected to the sloped center section for suspending the removable playing surface substantially level above the sloped center section. The sloped center section further includes a table section alignment mark. The removable marble table section removably engages the support surface of the table portion. At least one support peg connects to at least one support peg receiving cavity when the playing surface alignment mark and the table section alignment mark are aligned with one another. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention includes a marble playing table assembly having: a removable marble table section receiving support table; a removable playing surface; and a substantially wood removable marble table section. The removable marble table section receiving support table includes a substantially flat removable marble table section receiving surface and at least one downwardly extending support member which engages the substantially flat support surface. Any number of the downwardly extending support member may also include a leveling adjustment device. The removable playing surface has a top surface and a bottom surface that includes at least one support peg receiving cavity and at least one playing surface alignment mark. The removable marble table section includes an upright marble retention section which defines a sloped center section. The sloped center section typically has a diameter greater than the diameter of the playing surface and a bottom surface. The removable marble table section may further include a marble return opening where the sloped center section directs marbles that have fallen off the removable playing surface toward the marble return opening. The removable marble table section also may include an inwardly projecting portion which extends over at least a portion of the removable playing surface. The inwardly projecting portion may have at least one bubble level for facilitating the leveling of the marble table. The sloped center section also may include a table section alignment mark and a number of support pegs which correspond to the number of support peg receiving cavities on the bottom surface of the removable playing surface. The sloped center section and support pegs suspend the removable playing surface substantially level above the sloped center section. The support pegs typically include support peg knobs which engage the support peg receiving cavities on the bottom surface of the removable playing surface. The support peg knobs matingly engage the support peg cavities when the playing surface alignment mark and the table section alignment mark are aligned with one another. The removable marble table section may engage the support surface by utilizing at least one engagement device, which, for a period of time, locks the removable marble table section in a substantially fixed positive engaged with the removable marble table section receiving support table. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a marble table assembly that typically includes: a table support surface and at least one support leg engaged with the support surface. The removable playing surface having a top surface and a bottom surface where the bottom surface has at least one support peg receiving cavity. The removable marble table section typically has an upright marble retention section defining a sloped center section and a bottom surface. The removable marble table section includes a number of support pegs corresponding to the number of support peg receiving cavities on the bottom surface of the removable playing surface. The support pegs and the support peg receiving cavities support the removable playing surface above the sloped center section. The removable marble table section removably engages the support surface, which allows the playing surface or the entire marble table section optionally to be disengaged from the table and used at a location other than in connection with the table. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention includes a marble table assembly typically having: a support table; a number of removable playing surfaces that each have different diameters to accommodate marble players having a variety of skill levels; and a marble table section. The support table typically includes a support surface and at least one downwardly extending support connected to the support surface. Any member of the downwardly extending supports may also include a leveling adjustment device. Each removable playing surface includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may have at least one support peg receiving cavity. The marble table section typically has an upright marble retention section defining a sloped center section where the sloped center section has a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the largest playing surface. The marble table section has a bottom surface and at least one support peg engaged to the sloped center section for suspending the removable playing surfaces substantially level and above the sloped center section. 
     These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a marble table assembly embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the elevated flat support surface and upright supports of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a marble table section of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevated side view of the upright supports embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial elevated side view showing the marble table section engagement devices of an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a marble table of the present invention where the playing surface has been removed; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the sloped center section of the removable marble table section of a marble table of an embodiment of the present invention showing an alignment mark that assists the marble player in remounting of the playing surface of the support pegs and further shows a support peg retention peg and, which may be received by knob the support peg knob receiving cavities on the bottom surface of the playing surface; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial view of the bottom surface of the playing surface showing an alignment mark that corresponds to the alignment line on the center sloped section and assists the marble player in mounting the playing surface on the support pegs as a support peg knob receiving cavity; 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a marble table assembly of the present invention detached from the elevated flat support surface without the playing surface mounted thereon; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a marble table assembly of the present invention where the marble table section has been detached and placed on, for example, the ground or floor; and 
     FIG. 11 is another embodiment of a table section and playing surface of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The marble table assembly  10  of the present invention typically includes a circular, substantially flat playing surface  12 , which can be removed and placed on the ground or other surface and used to play marbles. The marble table assembly of the present invention also includes a table portion  16  and a removable marble table section  14 , which itself may be disengaged from the table portion  16  and placed on the ground or other surface, as shown in FIG. 10, and used to play marbles. Table portion  16  adapted to receive the removable table section. The support surface  17  of table portion  16  is elevated above the ground or floor using any number of supports  18 . Typically, there is at least one leveling adjustment device  20  mounted on supports  18 . 
     The removable substantially flat playing surface  12  has a top surface  13  and a bottom surface  36 . As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom surface  36  may have at least one support peg receiving cavity  34  which corresponds to at least one support peg  30 . The support peg receiving cavity is typically used, but is not necessary. Conceivably, playing surface  12  may be placed on the pegs without use of cavities. Optionally, a marble rack  11  typically made of wood, usually oak or wood that matches the table assembly construction material, may be used to position marbles at the proper spacing and at the proper location on the playing surface—typically centered at the plus (+) or other mark at the center of the playing surface. The typical marble rack  11  will rock ten marbles and be generally plus (+) shaped with 6 marbles positioned along one axis and 4 along another. Typically, the rack  11  has one axis that is about 8¼ inches long and another that is about 6 inches long. Conceivably, the rack  11  could be of any size or shape and could be configured to position any number of marbles in any pattern suitable for any given marble game. 
     The removable substantially flat playing surface may be constructed of any suitable construction material, such as, for example, wood, stone, plastic, slate, fiberglass, metal, or a composite directly or indirectly, or any combination of the above. The top surface  13 , or playing surface, of the suitable rigid construction material may be covered with any material suitable to a marble player, such as for example, felt, carpet, foam, plastic, rubber, a blended or non-blended fabric. Removable substantially flat playing surface  12  may be any shape suitable for a marble game, but typically is a circle. 
     The diameter of playing surface  12  may vary depending upon the skill level of the players. The removable substantially flat playing surface  12  may have a diameter of about 40 inches to about 60 inches but more typically has a diameter of about 48 inches. The smaller diameter playing surface accommodates those of lesser skill while the larger diameter playing surface accommodates those of greater skill. The thickness of removable substantially flat playing surface  12  may be from about {fraction (1/10)} inch to about 0.5 inch, but the thickness typically is about 0.1 inches. Optionally, multiple playing surfaces of various diameters may be employed in an embodiment of the present invention to accommodate varying skill levels of different players. 
     The underside of removable substantially flat playing surface  36  may have at least one alignment mark. The alignment mark(s) facilitates proper positioning of removable substantially flat playing surface  12  when placing the playing surface on removable table section  14 . The playing surface alignment mark and the table section alignment mark when substantially aligned with one another, facilitating correct placement of playing surface and engagement of the playing surface on the support pegs. 
     Detachably engaged to support surface  17  is a typically circular main marble table section  14  (typically about 64 inches in diameter) that may have a sloped center section  24  and a marble retaining wall section  26  center section  22  that is typically about six to about seven inches high. An inwardly projecting upper rim or lip  28 , which projects inwardly about six to about seven inches, about the perimeter of the sloped center section  24  may also be used in the present invention. Support surface  17  is typically flat to matingly engage the flat bottom surface of main marble table  10 ; however, conceivably any mating arrangement would be sufficient, including a spherical or dome interfitting. 
     Table portion  16  and the removable marble table section  24  may be constructed of any suitable rigid construction material, such as wood, plastic, fiberglass, metal, a composite, or veneer or any combination of the above. Typically, table portion  16  and the removable marble table section  24  are made of wood. Lip  28  may have an upper surface and a lower surface. Additionally, that edge portion or any part of lip  28 , but typically the edge portion, which is exposed to contact with the marbles, may be covered by felt, foam, plastic, rubber, a blended or non-blended fabric, a similar soft decorative material or any combination of the above to prevent damage to a marble should it contact the lip. Typically, at least the edge of lip  28  is covered by felt. 
     There may also be one or more bubble levels  48  spaced about lip  28  or upper rim of marble table section  22  to assist in leveling playing surface  12 . Typically, lip  28  has more than one bubble level  48  spaced appropriately apart from one another thereby allowing a person to adjust the leveling adjustment device(s) and level playing surface  12  on more than one plane. Leveling adjustment device(s)  20  are used on one or more supports  18  to aid in leveling marble table  10 . Optionally, inlaid objects  50  may be spaced about lip or upper rim  28  for decoration. Such objects may include decorative marbles, dice, glass, name plates, metals, composites, or any other decorative inlaid objects. 
     Sloped center section  24  directs marbles that have fallen off removable substantially flat playing surface  12  toward marble return aperture  46  and optionally through marble return aperture  46  into marble retaining tray  47 . Sloped center section  24  has a diameter about equal to or less than the diameter of the playing surface (or the largest playing surface if more than one sized playing surface is employed. 
     Sloped center section  24  may contain any number of support pegs  30  of various lengths. The support pegs operate to the suspend substantially flat playing surface in a substantially horizontal or substantially level position above sloped center section  24  of marble table section  22 . Support pegs  30  may further include playing surface retention knobs  32 , which assist in assuring proper placement and in the stability of the playing surface when the playing surface is on the support pegs. The support pegs and/or the playing surface retention knobs matingly engage support peg receiving cavities  34  on the underside  36  of the substantially flat playing surface  12 . The configuration of support pegs  30  received in knob retention cavities  34  on underside  36  of substantially flat playing surface  12  keeps the playing surface stable while in use. The playing surface  12  is placed on support pegs  30  and positioned such that there is space enough between the lip of marble table section  22  and playing surface  12  for a marble to fall off of playing surface  12 . Typically, the space between the lip and the playing surface is about one inch to about three inches, but usually is about 1.5 inches. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7-8, to assist in aligning playing surface retention knobs  32  with support peg knob receiving cavities  34 , a line or other alignment mark  38  is placed on underside  36  of substantially flat playing surface  12  and a corresponding line or other alignment mark  40  is placed on sloped center section  24  of main marble table section  22 . When these lines or alignment marks are aligned as the removable playing surface is mounted onto the support pegs, the playing surface retention knobs readily matingly engage support peg receiving cavities  34  on underside  36  of substantially flat playing surface  12 . 
     Conceivably, any structure or configuration that operates to stabily suspend the playing surface substantially level above the sloped center section may be utilized in the present invention. While the support pegs are typically used, in another embodiment, a center support  58  may be positioned in substantially the center of the sloped center section. Extending out from the center support may be any number, but typically four, horizontally outwardly extending stabilizing members  52 , which are strengthened by using strengthening support members  54 . Support members  54  may be substantially vertical pegs, as shown in FIG. 11, or angled bars extending from the center support and engaging the stabilizing members, typically on the bottom surface of the stabilizing members. Stabilizing member receiving slots or grooves  56  may be cut into the bottom of the removable playing surface as well as a center support receiving cavity  60  such that the bottom of the playing surface is configured to matingly engage the center support and the horizontally, outwardly extending stabilizing members. When the configuration is used, the playing surface could be mounted on the center support receiving cavity and simply rotated until the stabilizing members engage the stabilizing member receiving slot(s) or groove(s). 
     Another structure to suspend the playing surface may or may not have a center section. In this structure, the stabilizing members could be cross-members extending across the diameter of the center section that optionally engage with the side walls of the table section and where the cross-members are further supported by support pegs. In such a configuration, the stabilizing members could be parallel, perpendicular, or at any angle to one another across the table. Typically, a parallel configuration would be used. Typically only two stabilizing members would be used, but any number could be employed. The stabilizing members may engage the bottom of the playing surface. A groove may be cut in the bottom of the playing surface to matingly receive the stabilizing members in the configuration as well. 
     Another structure for stabilizing the playing surface above includes a center post or a series of pegs that suspend a circular, ring, or other shaped stabilizing surface. The bottom of the playing surface could then engage this stabilizing surface. Typically, the bottom of the playing surface would further include a shaped cavity that is configured to matingly engage the shaped stabilizing surface. Typically, if the shaped stabilizing surface is a circle, a circular shaped stabilizing surface cavity is cut into the bottom of the playing surface. 
     As seen in FIGS. 9-10, the entire marble table section  22  may be removed from elevated support surface  16  and placed on the ground or another surface to allow children and adults to play marbles using the marble table section of the present invention. A lowered playing surface is a benefit because it facilitates inclusion of all members of a group or family by allowing people of all heights to play the game while also allowing the very appealing elevated marble table assembly to be used and enjoyed by adults alone. Another significant benefit of the present invention to those individuals who, because they grew up playing marbles on the ground or are “marble purists” would prefer not to play marbles in a table-like environment, is the removable playing surface. For those individuals, the playing surface itself may be removed, placed on the ground or floor, and used to play the game nearer to the ground. 
     In order to remove the entire marble table section  22  from support surface  16 , one or more engagement devices may be used. The engagement devices may be threaded bolts, anchors, or other devices or combination of devices for securing purposes. Typically, the engagement devices have hand grips  44  to provide greater leverage upon turning to make tightening and loosening easier and to make the use of the engagement devices comfortable to a user. There are typically four engagement devices, for example threaded anchors, mounted to underside  12  of the flat support surface  17  for retaining main marble table section  22  in a fixed, but detachable position on support surface  17 . 
     The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modification of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.