Abstract:
The invention includes a game table, such as a pool or billiard table, with interchangeable parts that can change the look or style of the table by someone other than the factory that originally produced or manufactured the table.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/911,116, filed Apr. 11, 2007, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to pool or billiards tables. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Game tables, such as pool tables and billiard tables, are conventionally distinguished in style at the time of manufacturing. Consumers are confined to the style and design of the table as set by the manufacturer. Changing the style or design generally requires one to purchase a new table. Also, retailers are required to stock and display tables with several designs in order to appeal to as many potential consumers as possible. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a game table with a changeable design is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an apparatus and a method to enable the seller or user of a game table to have the ability to customize the table with interchangeable decorative components, such as a medallion. The game table may be a pool table, billiard table, poker table, or any other table with a game surface. 
         [0006]    The decorative components can be added onto the table by fastening onto specific areas that are made to accept the component parts. The component parts have certain decorative designs that cause the general look, or theme, of the table to change through showing the particular design of the component part. For example, a table could show a fish medallion on the sides of the table that would appeal to a fisherman. Another medallion that could be shown would be a pineapple that would give a hospitality or tropical look to the table. The medallions would be available to the seller or user as an add-on feature. The table would be manufactured without medallions and it would be up to the buyer of the table to decide which decorative medallion will be put on the table. 
         [0007]    The various medallions would he manufactured and offered as add-on components to the buyer. These components would he relatively smaller than the size of the game table. One example would be that the seller has an advantage in that they could purchase one generic pool table and pay the freight costs for the table, usually around 500 to 600 pounds, but have multiple sets of medallions with various designs that now give them the ability to offer or have multiple table designs with the one table. Due to the relatively small size of the medallions, the freight costs for the medallions would be much less as the medallions generally weigh less than the table weight. 
         [0008]    This method of interchangeability has certain benefits such as reduced freight costs, lower inventory levels, sales and marketing promotion, and wider customer appeal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the interchangeable medallion table of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the interchangeable medallion table having alternative placards and medallions; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of a medallion and the table frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded side view of the medallion and table frame of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of an alternative medallion and the table frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  is an exploded side view of the alternative medallion and table frame of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a further alternative medallion and the table frame of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is an exploded side view of the further alternative medallion and table frame of  FIG. 5A ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the stored medallions. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the interchangeable medallion table of the present invention. The table  10  includes a table frame  12  and a design element or medallion  14 . 
         [0021]    The frame  12 , and table  10  in general may have a design thereon that is generic to several different medallions  14 , or that is minimal so that any number of medallions may be used with the table. Alternatively, the frame may have no design at all. The medallions may be inexpensive and lightweight so that a user or a retailer may have numerous medallions with different designs on hand. In this case, while the medallions  14  having a particular theme are displayed on the table, alternative medallions  15  having a different theme may be easily stored ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the medallion  14  is a circular block with a tapped blind bore  16  in the back that mates with a screw  18 . The screw passes through a clearance hole in the frame  12  to secure the medallion  14  to the table. The medallion  14  may alternatively be made with different shapes and sizes. Particularly, the design element may be a large block or placard  20  instead of a medallion as shown if  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the block covers a substantial part of the frame to have a larger affect on the design of the table. Such a large block may require multiple fasteners to secure it to the frame. 
         [0023]    In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the fastener  18  is replaced by a push-button quick-release pin  22  incorporated into the frame. The pin  22  may be attached to the frame by adhesive, press-fitting, or other fastening means. The quick-release mechanism may include spring-loaded arms or ball bearings that are retracted by depressing a button on the end of the pin. The blind bore  16 ′ of the medallion  14 ′ includes a ledge  17  to catch the arms/bearings of the quick- release pin. In a further alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a dowel  24  is adhered, press fit, or otherwise affixed to the frame  12 . The dowel  24  includes an o-ring  26  that cooperates with a recessed ring  27  communicating with the blind bore  16 ″. The medallion  14 ″ then simply snaps onto the dowel  24 . In either of the alternative embodiments the blind bore  16 ′ or  16 ″ may include angled sides as shown in the figures for easier attachment to the pin or dowel. 
         [0024]    In use, a retailer has a small number of game tables  10  having a generic or minimal design and a large variety of medallions  14  in stock. A consumer purchases one of the tables and chooses a style of medallion or a theme for the table. The retailer or the consumer attaches the medallions to the table by fitting the screw  18  into the through hole in the frame  12 , aligning the medallion  14  with the frame  12 , and tightening the screw  18  into the tapped blind bore  16  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Alternatively, the user snaps the medallion  14 ′ onto the quick-release pin  22  by aligning the blind bore  16 ′ with the pin  22  and pressing the medallion  14 ′ onto the pin. The user may alternatively snap the medallion  14 ″ onto the dowel  24  by aligning the blind bore  16 ″ with the pin  22  and pressing the medallion  14 ″ onto the dowel  24 . 
         [0025]    The consumer may also buy several medallion themes in order to mix and match the medallions or to change the theme for different occasions. For example, a user that usually has a nautical themed table may host a tropical-themed party. In this case the user may replace the nautical medallions with pineapple medallions. The consumer could also have medallions with one or more initials of his or her name and thereby provide a monogram for the game table. Such medallions could be blank when shipped and later routed with a mechanical or laser routing machine to have a design or initials. As an alternative, a substrate with a design could be affixed to a blank or smooth medallion. For example, a image could be printed on paper, cloth or other substrate material and the substrate could be attached to the blank medallion surface. The attachment could be temporary or permanent, depending upon the means for attachment. For example, some adhesive are more releaseable than others. 
         [0026]    Although the medallions are shown in the figures as being affixed to the center of the sides of the table, they may be placed anywhere in use. Further, more than one medallion may be placed on a side as shown in  FIG. 2 , 
         [0027]    While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.