BANKED AIR HOCKEY TABLE

Abstract

An air hockey game apparatus includes a playing surface having at least one banked portion thereon. The air hockey game apparatus further includes a table frame assembly and a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface. An air blower is included and is configured to blow air through the apertures formed in the playing surface to decrease friction between a puck and the playing surface. The banked surface increases the challenge level of the air hockey game.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. Ser. No. 29/249,779 filed Oct. 20, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to air hockey tables and, more particularly, to a banked air hockey table.

Air hockey tables are a well known form of entertainment. Various designs currently exist for these tables. Typically, however, the table includes a perforated playing surface to which air under pressure is supplied from below, creating a multiplicity of closely spaced air jets upon which a game puck floats without touching the playing surface. The table is bounded by a bumper rail, which imparts a solid rebound to the puck. Each player is provided with a disc-shaped bat, which he slides across the table surface and into contact with the puck. Each of the players attempts to strike the puck into a goal that is located on each end of the table. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,773,325; 3,871,585; 3,887,187; and 3,927,885, relating to air hockey games. However, the known air hockey tables are not always challenging enough for some players.

In air hockey games, the rate of play can be affected when a player holds the puck motionless on his side of the table and out of reach of the other player. As known air hockey tables include a flat playing surface, this is easily accomplished. In the game of air hockey, much of the challenge, and therefore pleasure, of the game derives from the speed of the game, and the need for quick responses from each player. Thus, it is believed that there is a need for an air hockey table which promotes a faster motion of the puck and prevents any form of stalling or slow play on the part of the players. Such a table would increase the pace of the game and thereby increase the challenge of the game by requiring faster responses on the part of the players.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air hockey table designed to increase the speed and motion of the puck and increase the overall challenge of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a banked air hockey table that is configured to have a playing surface with inclined portions that increases the challenge of the game.

Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air hockey game apparatus is disclosed that includes a table frame assembly, a playing surface having apertures therein, and a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface. The playing surface is further configured with at least one banked portion thereon. The invention further includes an air blower configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an air hockey table is disclosed. The air hockey table includes a table frame assembly and a playing surface having apertures therein, wherein the playing surface further includes a flat portion and inclined portions at opposing ends thereof. The invention further includes a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface, an air blower configured to blow air through the hollow interior region and the apertures of the playing surface, and goal openings on the playing surface configured to receive a puck therein.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a banked air hockey table is disclosed. The method includes the steps of constructing a table frame assembly having side panels, end panels, and a bottom surface. The method also includes the step of disposing a playing surface on top of the table frame assembly, wherein the playing surface has an inclined portion on opposing ends thereof and further includes apertures therein. The method further includes the steps of forming goal openings in the playing surface and attaching an air blower to the table frame assembly, wherein the air blower is configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface to facilitate movement of a puck thereacross.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a banked air hockey table in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectioned side view of the banked air hockey table of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectioned end view of the banked air hockey table of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4-7 are detailed cross-sectioned side views of a portion of the banked air hockey table of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a banked air hockey table that is configured to have an inclined playing surface to promote a more challenging motion of a puck across the playing surface.

Referring to FIG. 1, a banked air hockey table 10 is shown. A table frame assembly 12 is included in the body of air hockey table. The table frame assembly 12, includes two elongated side members 14, two end members 16, and a bottom surface member 15, FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment, an optional leg assembly 18 is incorporated into the table frame assembly 12, to allow the multi-game table 10 to function as a stand-alone table. Leg assembly 18 provides a stable base on which to mount the table frame assembly 12. Alternatively, the multi-game table 10 may also function equivalently as a table top game, in which case the leg assembly would not be included.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a playing surface 20 is also attached to the table frame assembly 12. Surrounding playing surface 20 is a peripheral wall 26 configured to provide a boundary around playing surface 20 to contain a puck (not shown) that is slid thereacross. Peripheral wall 26 is of a height sufficient to deflect the puck thereoff and prevent it from jumping off the playing surface and interrupting game play. In a preferred embodiment, the playing surface 20 includes a flat portion 22 generally positioned in the middle of the playing surface 20 and a banked portion 24 located at either end of the playing surface 20. The banked portions 24 of the playing surface 20 are oriented at an angle sufficient to slideably return the puck down to the flat portion 22 of the playing surface 20. That is, when the puck is being slid across the playing surface 20, it will not become stuck or motionless on the banked portions 24, but will slide down to the flat portion 22 to aid in continuing game play. To achieve this, it is preferred that the banked portions have an inclined angle of between 15 and 45 degrees (e.g., 30 degrees), although it is envisioned that the banked portions 24 can also be inclined at any other number of angles that suitably allow for game play to occur. The banked portions 24 may also be extended, shortened, or moved to other locations on the air hockey table 10. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the transition between the flat portion 22 and the banked portions 24 is a seamless junction 28 that provides a smooth surface for the puck to slide across without being redirected or stopped thereby.

To further aid in movement of the puck, apertures 30 are formed in the playing surface 20 to allow for an airflow therethrough. The apertures 30 are shown in only one area for illustrative purposes; however, it is understood that such apertures 30 are preferably dispersed about the entire playing surface 20. Referring now to FIG. 2, banked air hockey table 10 also includes an air blower 32 that provides an air flow for the banked air hockey table 10. A fluid airflow, identified by the arrows of FIG. 2, is established between the air blower 32 and the playing surface 20 as air is delivered from the air blower 32. Air is delivered from the air blower 32 through inlets 34 and 36 and into the hollow interior region 38 of the air hockey table. The air within the hollow interior region 38 is preferably pressurized and then delivered in a substantially equalized pattern of air flow to the playing surface 20 through apertures 30. That is, as air is directed into the hollow interior region 38 upon activation of the air blower 32, the hollow interior region 38 becomes pressurized. This in turn forces air through the apertures 30 so as to create a substantially equalized flow or passage of air to the playing surface 20, thereby allowing the puck used in the playing of the game to freely travel over the playing surface 20 because of the reduction of friction between the puck and playing surface 20 provided by the air flow.

According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, a plurality of partitions 40 having holes 42 therein can be disposed in the hollow interior region 38. The partitions further help achieve a balanced pressurization throughout the hollow interior region 38 of the table by providing a pathway for air distribution.

A pair of goal openings 44 are also included in the playing surface 20 of banked air hockey table 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the goal openings 44 are preferably positioned at opposing ends of the flat portion 22 of the playing surface 20, at junction 28 between the flat portion 22 and the banked portions 24. When the puck is hit into one of goal openings 44, it enters a chute 46 connected to that goal opening 44. The chutes 46 are oriented at a downward angle to facilitate the movement of the puck from the goal opening 44 to receptacle openings 48 (see FIG. 1) located in each of end members 16 of the table frame assembly 12. Thus, after a puck enters goal opening 44 it subsequently gathers into receptacle opening 48 so as to be easily retrieved by an operator and allow for the puck to be returned to the playing surface 20.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the goal openings 44 are configured to effectively receive the puck therein as it is slid across the playing surface 20. That is, it is desired that the puck not slide or skip over the goal opening 44 when the puck is hit directly there towards. To prevent such an occurrence, it is envisioned that the goal openings 44 be further configured with a device to prevent the puck from sliding thereacross. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, a backstop 50 can be placed at the back of goal opening 44 to aid in stopping the puck and allowing it to enter goal opening 44. In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a raised goal frame 52 can be positioned to frame the back and sides of the goal openings 44. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a lip 54 of playing surface 20 overhangs the rear portion of the goal opening 44 to prevent the puck from sliding across the opening. Besides these devices, other similar devices capable of collecting the puck when it is struck toward the goal openings 44 are also envisioned as being included in the banked air hockey table 10 of the current invention.

Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an air hockey game apparatus is disclosed that includes a table frame assembly, a playing surface having apertures therein, and a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface. The playing surface is further configured to have at least one banked portion thereon. The invention further includes an air blower configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an air hockey table is disclosed. The air hockey table includes a table frame assembly and a playing surface having apertures therein, wherein the playing surface further includes a flat portion and inclined portions at opposing ends thereof. The invention further includes a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface, an air blower configured to blow air through the hollow interior region and the apertures of the playing surface, and goal openings on the playing surface configured to receive a puck therein.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a banked air hockey table is disclosed. The method includes the steps of constructing a table frame assembly having side panels, end panels, and a bottom surface and disposing a playing surface on top of the table frame assembly, the playing surface having an inclined portion on opposing ends thereof and further including apertures therein. The method further includes the steps of forming goal openings in the playing surface and attaching an air blower to the table frame assembly, wherein the air blower is configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface to facilitate movement of a puck thereacross.

As above, while the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and modifications. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various other modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An air hockey game apparatus comprising:

a table frame assembly;

a playing surface having apertures therein;

a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface;

an air blower configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface; and

wherein the playing surface is configured to include at least one banked portion.

2. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one banked portion is further configured to be formed at an angle that slideably returns a puck down to a flat planar portion of the playing surface.

3. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one goal opening on the playing surface.

4. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one goal opening is further configured to include one of a bumper, a raised goal frame, and an overhang lip.

5. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 3 wherein the at least one goal opening is positioned between the flat planar portion of the playing surface and the at least one banked portion of the playing surface.

6. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the table frame assembly further comprises a bottom surface, side members and end members, wherein each of the end members are configured to include a receptacle opening therein.

7. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 6 further comprising at least one chute configured to connect the at least one goal opening to one of the receptacle openings.

8. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one chute is further configured to be oriented at a downward angle to slide the puck from the at least one goal opening to one of the receptacle openings.

9. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 6 wherein the at least one banked portion is located adjacent to one of the end members and is inclined between 15 and 45 degrees from level.

10. The air hockey game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a peripheral wall disposed around the playing surface.

11. An air hockey table comprising:

a table frame assembly;

a playing surface having apertures therein, the playing surface having a flat portion and inclined portions at opposing ends thereof;

a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface;

an air blower configured to blow air through the hollow interior region and the apertures of the playing surface; and

goal openings on the playing surface configured to receive a puck therein.

12. The air hockey table of claim 11 wherein the inclined portions are further configured to be formed at an angle that slideably returns the puck down to the flat portion of the playing surface.

13. The air hockey table of claim 11 wherein the goal openings are further configured to include one of a bumper, a raised goal frame, and an overhang lip.

14. The air hockey table of claim 11 wherein the table frame assembly further comprises a bottom surface, side members and end members, wherein each of the end members are configured to include a receptacle opening therein.

15. The air hockey table of claim 14 further comprising chutes configured to connect the goal openings to the receptacle openings.

16. The air hockey table of claim 15 wherein the chutes are further configured to be oriented at a downward angle to slide the puck from the goal openings to the receptacle openings.

17. The air hockey table of claim 14 wherein the goal openings are positioned on the playing surface centrally between the side members and at a base of each of the banked portions, each of the banked portions being positioned adjacent to one of the end members.

18. The air hockey table of claim 11 further comprising a puck-reflecting frame disposed around the playing surface.

19. A method for manufacturing an air hockey game apparatus comprising the steps of:

constructing a table frame assembly having side panels, end panels, and a bottom surface;

disposing a playing surface on top of the table frame assembly, the playing surface having an inclined portion on opposing ends thereof and further including apertures therein;

forming goal openings in the playing surface; and

attaching an air blower to the table frame assembly, the air blower configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface to facilitate movement of a puck thereacross.

20. The method of claim 19 further including the step of positioning the goal openings at a bottom edge of the inclined portions.

21. The method of claim 19 further including the step of attaching a leg assembly to the table frame assembly.