Abstract:
A method and apparatus for playing a game similar to ping-pong where a ball is bounced from one table surface to another table surface that is distinctly separated from the first. The distance between the table surfaces may be increased to increase the difficulty of the game. This may occur in between games, or progressively during a game. The table surfaces, preferably round, may be provided with folding legs and joined together for convenient transportation and storage. The height of individual legs are adjustable by both fine and coarse adjustment means.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of US of provisional patent application Ser No. 60/608,165 filed Sep. 9, 2004 ( 09 / 09 / 2004 ). 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to the field of playing a table game, in particular to the field of playing a game by striking a ball off of a table surface to another, as in table tennis.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Table tennis, also known as “ping pong”, is a game that is very well known, involving using a paddle to strike a ball from one side of a table to the other. The table is divided into two sides by a net passing across the middle of the table. It can be played with two players, or as a team game with up to four total players.  
         [0004]     Different shapes and designs of tables have been proposed to increase difficulty. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,156 to Pugsley the net has been removed completely and the table surface has been split into two sections, each of a rounded, triangular shape. The surfaces remain joined to each other by a connecting device attached to a leg from each table surface and so are not fully disconnected. The game is played across a gap present between the two joined table portions.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,619 to Cooper depicts a rectangular playing table surface having two portions joined by bridge members and provided with elevation means within the legs so that these two playing surfaces may be angled slightly upwards towards each other forming a shallow “V” formation. No playing surface is present between these two portions where the bridging members extend.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. of 4,900,022 to Maggio depicts a rectangular playing table surface divided into two portions joined by bridge members and having a soft sponge or net present between the two separated portions. This provides a region between the two table portions which is not playable.  
         [0007]     There still remains a need to further increase the difficulty and challenge of the typical table tennis game. This invention addresses that need.  
         [0008]     The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims, which conclude this Specification.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The “Island Pong”-™ game of the invention provides a new experience in the field of table tennis. The game-playing surface comprises at least two portions, preferably circular, which are respectively mounted on independent supports that allow the playing surfaces to be separated from each other. Such playing surfaces may be fully disconnected from each other. Further, such playing surfaces may or may not lie in a common plane. This provides a number of consequences.  
         [0010]     No net is required to divide the table playing surface portions; the gap separating the respective perimeters of the table surface portions defines a no-play zone in a manner similar to a net. The ability to separate the playing surfaces introduces a new challenge to the game. Increased separation reduces the effective target area, while providing more time for players to respond that while the ball is in transit. Being circular, the remote, central, a outer edges of the playing surfaces become more prominent as targeted areas because hits so-directed provide a lengthened target area that is more tolerant of accuracy errors. Eventually, at substantial separations, transit time delays become more nearly akin to those occurring in tennis, changing the dynamic of the game. In these respects, a playing experience distinctly different from that of traditional “Ping-Pong” is created.  
         [0011]     An additional convenience is created through the use of two circular playing surface portions of identical diameters. Such portions may be moved and stored individually more conveniently than a single, monolithic, table surface portion. Being circular, they it may also be moved and stored more conveniently than table surface portions in the form of a regular or polygonal surface. By reason of their circular dimensions, such surfaces may be conveyed by rolling them on their circumferential edges. Being symmetrical to each other, such table surface portions of may be assembled face-to-face, or with their playing surfaces in parallel planes but facing away from each other, to provide for more compact storage. Inter-table connection means may be provided to facilitate this procedure.  
         [0012]     According to one variant, the outer perimeters of the respective table surfaces may be placed approximately contiguously to each other, separated by a moderate gap, in order to allow the players to commence to play a game of table tennis. The table surfaces together with their supports may then be further separated to permit the game to be played with a larger gap present between the playing surfaces, and the process repeated. This separation may be adjusted during or between the playing of a game and may preferably be enlarged to provide a gap between the playing surfaces which is equal to, twice, three times or more in size than the width of an individual circular playing surface portions. For the purposes of creating a separation between the table playing surfaces, no interconnection need be present between such playing surfaces other than through the floor or ground surface upon which they rest.  
         [0013]     By reason of the absence of an interconnection between the playing surfaces, it becomes possible to play the game with an intervening obstacle present in the gap separating the playing surfaces. Thus, when played indoors, a piece of furniture may be present in such gap. Preferably, such an obstacle would not protrude significantly above the plane within which either of the separated playing surfaces lie. This allows the playing tables to be set up in rooms that otherwise would not be large enough to accommodate a traditional Ping-Pong table.  
         [0014]     According to another variant of the invention, the playing surface portions need not be circular but may be of any shapes, preferably shapes wherein such playing surface portions are bilaterally symmetrical about the central line that separates the two surfaces. Preferably, the outside edge portions of each respective playing surface portion remote from the opposing playing surface portion, are also bilaterally symmetrical about a longitudinally extending, vertical mirror plane passing through both table surfaces and the centroid of area for each respective playing surface. Such outer edge portions may taper towards each other, proceeding away from the two playing surface portions. Thus, in this configuration, the orientations of the table surface portions may be generally seem to be the reverse of that in U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,156.  
         [0015]     The playing surface portions may be supported in various manners. This can include three or more individual legs, a pedestal, or even an available support surface such as a piece of furniture. Embodiments which include legs may include means whereby each leg is foldable into a compact position against the underside of the playing surface.  
         [0016]     Such support means may be adjustable to permit the playing surface portion to be elevated at varying heights and with different orientations with respect to the horizontal plane that the respective playing surfaces would normally share. In this form a table height adjustment means can be provided which will serve to accommodate unevenness in the ground surface, ensuring alignment of the playing surfaces in a common, horizontal, plane or in alternate orientations with respect to each other. The adjustment means may also be used to accommodate players who are taller or shorter than the average player, such as children. Thus each leg may be provided with adjustment means whereby the length of such leg may each be adjusted to alter the height of the overlying playing surface portion which it supports.  
         [0017]     Such adjustment means may be discreet, allowing coarse adjustments this may be combined with fine adjustment means which allow for continuous adjustment. A support of a continuously variable character may be provided by telescopic leg portions which may slide into each other and then be locked in place through use of a threaded, wedge-shaped collar or collet system. Alternately, legs may be adjustable by the presence of an eccentric-cam locking mechanism which frictionally engages the sections of the legs; through the use of a threaded coupling between leg portions, or through the use of any other mechanism which allows the continuously variably adjustable locking of two leg sections. In any of such cases, locking means is provided to stabilize the selected length for the leg during the playing of the game.  
         [0018]     Continuously variable adjustable supports may also incorporate or be combined with structures to allow discrete height adjustments in order to increase in the range of permissible height adjustments. Discrete height adjusting means may allow the user to lock the legs at a predetermined height through the use of a pin and hole system, through a ball-detent locking mechanism, or through the use of any device which allows the legs to be set to a predetermined level. By combining the continuously variable height adjustment means with the discrete height adjustment means, it is possible to allow the players to set the tables at the same height using the discrete adjustment means, and then to make adjustments to the continuously variable adjustment means in order to ensure that the tables are in the same horizontal plane in order to allow the players to play on uneven ground.  
         [0019]     It is also possible to set the tables at the same height using the discrete adjustment means and tilt one or both of the tables in order to increase the difficulty of the game by adjusting the continuously variable height adjustment means on two of the legs in order to tilt the table in a given direction. Finally, It is possible for the tables to be changed to different heights, as for example during play, in order to increase the difficulty of play for the players.  
         [0020]     Another embodiment of the game system may rely on support means in the form of a pair of posts, either to be inserted into a weighted base, or with a threaded base end to be screwed into the ground. The playing surfaces are then respectably mounted on the top of each post.  
         [0021]     In use, according to one embodiment, the invention addresses a method for playing a game comprising the steps of providing at least a pair of players each with a paddle for striking a ball, providing at least two tables that are disconnected from each other each having a playing surface, positioning such surfaces a predetermined distance apart which distance is at least greater than 12 inches, more preferably the width of each table surface portion, whereby the players may engage in playing a game of table tennis using their respective paddles to strike the ball towards the opposite player&#39;s table playing surface. Optionally, each player may be replaced by a team consisting of multiple players for each side of the table.  
         [0022]     In a further embodiment, as indicated above, the method of the invention may further comprise the step of increasing the difficulty of the game by increasing the distance of separation between the tables. This may occur either in distinct stages between games, or while the game is in progress.  
         [0023]     In the foregoing description, the use of two playing surfaces has been referenced. The method of the game may also be carried out using three or four or more playing surfaces and a corresponding number of players or player teams.  
         [0024]     The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the game system based on the use of two tables.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the game system based on the use of three tables.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the game system based upon the use of two tables erected with an intervening object present between the two tables.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a top view of one of the tables.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the table from  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the table from  FIG. 2  with the legs folded.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a table leg having a locking collar for adjusting a lower telescopic leg portion at continuously differing heights.  
         [0032]      FIG. 7 A  is a cross-sectional side view of the locking collar mechanism for adjusting a lower telescopic leg portion at continuously differing heights.  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a table leg having an eccentric-cam locking mechanism for adjusting a lower telescopic leg portion at continuously differing heights.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional side view of the eccentric-cam locking mechanism for adjusting a lower telescopic leg portion at continuously differing heights.  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a table leg base and table leg with the table leg folded for storage.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9A  is a side view of a table leg base and table leg with the table leg folded for storage.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of two tables joined together for transportation and storage.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a side view of two tables that have been coupled together.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a side view of two tables showing the coupling mechanism with the tables separated.  
         [0040]      FIG. 12A  is a side view of two tables showing the coupling mechanism with the tables joined. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0041]      FIG. 1  shows the game system  10  for the preferred embodiment of the invention. The apparatus for playing the game is preferably composed of a pair of tables  12 , a ball  14 , and two paddles  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when playing a two-player game, only two paddles  16  are required, but for a team game with four players, a paddle  16  is used for each person playing. Another option would be to play a three-player game involving three tables  12 , placed in a triangular arrangement as shown in  FIG. 2 , with each player defending their own table  12 .  
         [0042]     The game may also be played with an intervening object, such as a sofa, present between the two tables  14  as in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, no intervening object should protrude between the two tables  14  above the levels of the playing surfaces  20 .  
         [0043]     Each table  12  as shown in  FIGS. 1-6  comprises a playing surface  20 . A typical diameter for a circular playing surface would be 48 inches. The tables  12  as depicted each include their own support means, shown in the preferred embodiment as three legs  18 . More than three legs  18  can be used, or a singular leg in the form of a support post, with either a base end shaped to screw into the ground or shaped to engage with a weighted base similar to a patio table, in order to keep the table stabilized. Yet another option would be to use a separate, pre-existing table as support means and merely rest the playing surface  20  upon it.  
         [0044]     As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the length of each leg  18 , and with it the height of the playing surface  20  above each leg  18 , can be adjusted. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7  the desired height is partially achieved by aligning a pair of holes  25  in the lower telescopic leg portion  22  and the upper leg guides  24  and inserting a pin  19 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 7  depicts a leg  18  wherein there are three major sections that slide telescopically with respect to each other. The uppermost leg portion  23  and center leg portion  24  are each provided with holes  25  into which a pin  19  may be inserted. By aligning two holes  25  on the outermost  23  and center  24  leg portions and by inserting a pin  19 , the leg  18  may be adjusted so a desired preset height. Further, the center leg section  24  and the innermost leg section  22  may be adjusted with respect to each other through the use of a locking collar  31  as shown.  FIG. 7A  shows that the locking collar  31  may be rotated about the center leg portion  24  such that the threads  32  that connect the two sections will cause the collar  31  to move in the direction of the axis of rotation towards the center leg portion  24 . This motion of the collar  31  carries a nylon-jamming ring  30 , tapered to bear against the comical end of the center leg portion, into being jammed between the innermost leg section  22  and the center leg portion  24 . This locks the leg sections  22 ,  24  against relative movement with respect to each other. To unlock the leg  18 , it is necessary to reversibly rotate the collar  31  to allow the jamming ring  30  to withdraw from being jammed against the center leg section  24 .  
         [0046]     Alternately, the inner leg portion  22  of the leg  18  may incorporate an eccentric cam system as depicted in  FIGS. 8-8A . This system provides an alternate, a fine adjustment manner of locking the inner leg section  22  into place with respect to the center leg section  24 . In  FIG. 8A  the circular innermost leg section  22  is filled at the end nearest the center leg section with a circular plug  21 . The outermost leg section  24  is filled with a similar plug  29 . One plug is fixed in place and the other is able to rotate. An embedded pin  28  extends between the two plugs  21 ,  29  along a line that is slightly offset from the leg&#39;s central axis  27 . The pin  28  is fixed into each of the two plugs  21 ,  29 . The inner leg section  22  may then be partially rotated with respect to the center leg section  24  to cause the plug that is able to rotate to frictionally jam against the interior surface of the leg section in which it is mounted. To unlock the leg  18 , it is only necessary to rotate the inner leg section  22  such that the two plugs are both once again centered in the center leg section  24 .  
         [0047]     The separate tables  12  with individual adjustment of the height of the playing surface  20 , also allows for the playing surfaces  20  to be set up at a different height than the other table  12 , or at different angles that are not necessarily parallel with the ground. This allows for many different changes to the game.  
         [0048]      FIG. 6  depicts the legs  18  folded against the underside surface of the tabletop  20 .  FIGS. 9-9A  and  12 - 12 A depict a lockable folding bracket  26 , as found on many other types of collapsible folding tables. This allows for the legs  18  to be folded along the underside of the playing surface  20  so the table  12  can be easily moved to a new location.  
         [0049]     Two tables  12 , particularly two round tables  12 , with their legs  18  in folded positions, can be coupled together when the legs  18  are folded as seen in  FIGS. 10-11 .  FIGS. 9 and 9 A show a coupling socket  33  provided on the base  34  of each leg bracket  26  whereby the bracket  26  is fastened to the underside surface of the table  12 . While optional the coupling may be separately attached to the table  12 , the coupling  33  may conveniently be included as part of the leg base  34  to increase the ease of fastening the necessary parts securely to the underside of a table surface  20 . Such table surfaces  20 , for example, may be only ⅝ inches in thickness.  
         [0050]     In the preferred embodiment a 3-inch long, hollow tubular socket  33  is fixed to the leg base  34 . When it is desired to couple the tables together, one end of a 6 or 7-inch long coupling tube  36  is slid into the socket  33 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A, 12  and  12 A. The coupling tube  36  and socket  33  may be locked together through a ball-detent type mechanism  37 . Then, the other end of the coupling tube  36  is slid into a similar socket  33  on the opposite table  12  as shown in  FIG. 12A  and locked into that socket  33 . This is preferably done with at least three different sets of sockets  33  and tubes  36  to join the two tables  12  at three or more locations and lock the tables  12  securely together as a table set. This arrangement, shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , allows for the convenient transportation of the paired table set by rolling and allows for compact storage.  
         [0051]     To take the tables apart, it is sufficient to release the tubes  36  from the sockets  33  on one table  12 . The rods  36  can remain in the sockets  33  on the other table  12  during play so that they will not get lost.  
         [0052]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  3  in the preferred embodiment the playing surface of the table  12  is shaped so the width of the playing surface  20  decreases from the midpoint of the table  12  proceeding outwardly, away from the other table(s)  12 . In the preferred embodiment a circular shape is depicted, however one could use a kidney bean shape, an oval, triangular, rectangular, or any other type of shape for the table-playing surface without departing from the spirit of invention.  
         [0053]     In use, the tables  12  are positioned a set distance apart, preferably at the commencement of the game by a minimum of typically around half a table diameter, e.g. 2 feet of separation, or further if desired, although a shorter intervening gap may be employed initially. As the players grow more skilled and wish to increase the difficulty of the game, the tables  12  may be separated even further, either between games, or progressively during the course of a game. With the tables  12  separated 8 feet apart or more, for example, the time that the ball  14  is in the air is increased, allowing for more time to set up a return shot.  
         [0054]     As mentioned earlier, it may be desired to play outdoors, in which case a different type of ball  14  may be preferable, such as one with holes throughout it, to cut down on the wind affecting the flight of the ball. Other alterations, such as racquet ball paddles and balls may also be used. This would allow for harder shots and a faster game.  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0055]     It is understood that suitable modifications and equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects is further described and defined in the claims, which now follow.  
         [0056]     These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention that have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.