TABLE GAME STARTER AND METHOD
A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece where a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal. The game table includes a playing surface, a first endwall and a second endwall. The gamepiece is movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces and the first endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and includes the first goal. The second endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and is located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall. A first starting mechanism is in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel that moves the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal. The first starting mechanism moves the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by the first player.
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The present application relates to a game table for playing a game with a gamepiece and, more particularly, to a foosball table having a starting mechanism that provides for relative consistent starting of the game and for each of the players to be prepared when the game is started.
Conventional game tables, such as a foosball table include goals wherein the gamepiece falls off of the playing surface when a goal is scored. Accordingly, it is necessary to place the gamepiece or ball back onto the playing surface prior to commencement of additional gameplay. Specifically, in a foosball game, a player who was scored upon typically urges the foosball through a hole in a sidewall of the foosball table to place the foosball back onto the playing surface for further game play. This starting method often results in inconsistent starts to the game because of the manner in which a player inserts the ball into the starting hole and skilled players may be able to manipulate the start of the game to provide an advantage to their own team. In addition, a player that is concentrating on starting the game may also be distracted from their own gameplay for a sufficient amount of time for their opponent to gain an advantage during the game. Specifically, in a foosball game, a starting hole is typically positioned proximate a midfield portion of the foosball table, the player's defenders are positioned proximate their own goal and are spaced from the midfield portion of the playing field. A player starting the game may have difficulty reaching their defensive players in a sufficient amount of time to effectively block their opponent, thereby placing the player who starts the foosball game at a disadvantage if the opponent is quick enough to strike the foosball and score a goal before the starting player has an opportunity to gain control of their defensive foosmen.
It would be advantageous to construct a game table wherein a starting mechanism is utilized that consistently starts game play and limits the advantages and disadvantages of one player relative to their opponent. Specifically, it would be advantageous to construct a foosball table wherein a starting mechanism permits generally consistent starting of the foosball game and permits a player who is starting the game to control their defensive foosmen or players prior to game play.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly stated, the present application is directed to a game table for playing a game with a gamepiece where a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal. The game table includes a playing surface, a first endwall and a second endwall. The gamepiece is movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces and the first endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface. The first endwall includes the first goal. The second endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and is located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall. A first starting mechanism is in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel that moves the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal. The first starting mechanism moves the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by the first player.
In another aspect, the present application is directed to a game table for playing a game with a gamepiece wherein a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal. The game table includes a playing surface and the gamepiece is movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces. A first endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and includes the first goal. A second endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and is located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall. A midfield boundary is located on the playing surface generally midway between the first and second endwalls. A first starting mechanism is in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel. The gamepiece channel moves the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal. The first starting mechanism has an outlet proximate the midfield boundary and moves the gamepiece to the playing surface along a starting chute upon actuation of the first starting mechanism by the first player.
The present application is also directed to a method of starting a game between first and second players on a game table having a playing surface, first and second endwalls, first and second sidewalls, a first goal in the first endwall, a midfield boundary extending between the first and second sidewalls and located generally midway between the first and second endwalls, a gamepiece, a first starting mechanism mounted to the first sidewall, a gamepiece channel for moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism, a first starter chute and a first outlet in communication with the first starting mechanism through the first starter chute. The method includes the steps of positioning the gamepiece on the playing surface, directing the gamepiece into the first goal, urging the gamepiece to the first starting mechanism under the force of gravity from the first goal along the gamepiece channel and actuating the first starting mechanism such that the gamepiece is propelled onto the game table moving in a direction generally parallel to the midfield boundary. The second player directs the gamepiece toward the first goal and the first player attempts to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal. The first starting mechanism is actuated by the first player.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “up”, and “down” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the game table and designated parts thereof. The terminology used in the above-listed words, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring to the drawings in detail, where in like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the game table 10 includes a playing surface 18, a first endwall 20 extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface 18 and a second endwall 22 extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface 18 and located at an opposite side of the playing surface 18 from the first endwall 20. A first player 14 typically defends a first goal 16 located in or proximate the first endwall 20 to block the gamepiece 12 from entering the first goal 16.
The gamepiece 12 is movable along the playing surface 18 through the application of gaming forces. In the preferred foosball table 10, the gaming forces are typically applied to the gamepiece or foosball 12 through foosmen 28 mounted to a plurality of rods 30, 32 that are rotatably mounted between a first and sidewall 24 and a second sidewall 26. The plurality of rods 30, 32 extend across the playing surface 18 such that a foot 28a of each of the foosmen 28 is proximate the playing surface 18. Accordingly, when the rods 30, 32 are pivoted and the foosball 12 is positioned below the foosmen 28, the foot 28a swings to contact the foosball 12 and direct the foosball 12 as desired by the player. The present invention is not limited to a foosball table 10 or to the inclusion of the foosmen 28 and rods 30, 32 and may be comprised of nearly any type of game table as would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art.
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When the first player 14, who was just scored upon in the first goal 16, is ready to again commence gameplay, the handle 34c is grasped and pulled away from the first sidewall 24. Pulling the handle 34c away from the first sidewall 24 loads a tension force into the spring 34e biasing the handle 34c and starter shaft 34b toward the second sidewall 26. The first player 14 releases the handle 34c, thereby driving the starter shaft 34b, bumper 34d and gamepiece or foosball 12 toward the second sidewall 26 along the linear portion 44 of the first starter chute 36c. As the gamepiece or foosball 12 is traveling along the first starter chute 36c, the first player 14 typically has sufficient time to grasp the selected handles 30a of the first rods 30 to prepare for continued gameplay. The gamepiece or foosball 12 eventually travels to the arcuate portion 46 to modify the travel direction of the gamepiece or foosball 12 out of the first outlet 38 in a direction generally parallel to the midfield boundary 40 onto the playing surface 18.
When a goal is scored in the second goal 42, the second player 50 is generally able to actuate the second starting mechanism 48 in a similar manner to that described above for the first starting mechanism 34 and the operation of the second starting mechanism 48 when a goal is scored in the second goal 42 and associated pipes, ramps and channels will not be described in greater detail.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece wherein a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal, the game table comprising:
- a playing surface, the gamepiece being movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces;
- a first endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface, the first endwall including the first goal;
- a second endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall; and
- a first starting mechanism in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel, the gamepiece channel moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal, the first starting mechanism moving the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by the first player.
2. The game table of claim 1 wherein the gamepiece channel includes a first goal ramp, a first goal pipe and a first starter pipe, the first goal ramp, first goal pipe and first starter pipe connected to each other and sloped from the first goal toward the first starting mechanism.
3. The game table of claim 1 further comprising:
- a first sidewall extending between the first and second endwalls, the first starting mechanism being mounted to the first sidewall; and
- a second sidewall extending between the first and second endwalls.
4. The game table of claim 3 further comprising:
- a first starter chute extending between the first starting mechanism and a first outlet, the first outlet being located along the second sidewall; and
- a midfield boundary extending on the playing surface between the first and second sidewalls, the playing field having a field length, the midfield boundary being located generally at a middle of the field length.
5. The game table of claim 3 wherein the first starting mechanism includes a mounting plate, a starter shaft, a handle mounted to a first end of the starter shaft, a bumper mounted to a second end of the starter shaft and a spring mounted between the starter shaft and the mounting plate.
6. The game table of claim 3 further comprising:
- a plurality of first rods mounted to the first and second sidewalls and extending across the playing surface, the plurality of first rods each having first rod handles positioned proximate the first sidewall, the plurality of first rods including at least a first defender rod positioned proximate the first goal and a first offensive rod positioned proximate a second goal located in the second endwall, the first starting mechanism positioned proximate the first rod handle of the first defender rod, the gamepiece being comprised of a foosball.
7. The game table of claim 1 further comprising:
- a first starter chute extending between the first starting mechanism and a first outlet at a second sidewall, the first starter chute including a linear portion and an arcuate portion, the linear portion secured to the first starting mechanism and the arcuate portion secured to the first outlet, the arcuate portion and the first outlet directing the gamepiece onto the playing surface generally parallel to a midfield boundary.
8. The game table of claim 1 further comprising:
- first and second sidewalls extending between the first and second endwalls;
- a second goal located in the second sidewall;
- a second starting mechanism in communication with the second goal, the second starting mechanism moving the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by a second player, the second starting mechanism mounted to the second sidewall.
9. The game table of claim 8 further comprising:
- a midfield boundary extending between the first and second sidewalls approximately midway between the first and second endwalls;
- a first outlet located in the second sidewall; and
- a second outlet located in the first sidewall, the first and second outlets facing each other along a line of sight generally parallel to the midfield boundary.
10. A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece wherein a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal, the game table comprising:
- a playing surface, the gamepiece being movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces;
- a first endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface, the first endwall including the first goal;
- a second endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall, a midfield boundary located on the playing surface generally midway between the first and second endwalls; and
- a first starting mechanism in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel, the gamepiece channel moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal, the first starting mechanism moving the gamepiece to the playing surface along a starting chute upon actuation by the first player, the starting chute having an outlet proximate the midfield boundary.
11. A method of starting a game between first and second players on a game table having a playing surface, first and second endwalls, first and second sidewalls, a first goal in the first endwall, a midfield boundary extending between the first and second sidewalls and being located generally midway between the first and second endwalls, a gamepiece, a first starting mechanism mounted to the first sidewall, a gamepiece channel for moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism, a first starter chute and a first outlet in communication with the first starting mechanism through the first starter chute, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) positioning the gamepiece on the playing surface, the second player directing the gamepiece toward the first goal and the first player attempting to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal;
- b) directing the gamepiece into the first goal;
- c) urging the gamepiece to the first starting mechanism under the force of gravity from the first goal along the gamepiece channel; and
- d) actuating the first starting mechanism such that the gamepiece is propelled onto the game table moving in a direction generally parallel to the midfield boundary, the first player actuating the first starting mechanism.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first player operates a first defender rod having a first rod handle proximate the first sidewall during gameplay, the first player being provided with sufficient time to grasp the first rod handle during step (d) between actuating the first starting mechanism and the gamepiece contacting the playing surface.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein in step (d) the first player grasps and urges a handle of the first starting mechanism away from the first sidewall and releases the handle.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein in step (d) the gamepiece is driven along the gamepiece channel from a position proximate the first sidewall toward the second sidewall along a linear portion of the gamepiece channel, along an arcuate portion of the gamepiece and out of a first outlet in the second sidewall toward the first sidewall.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the gamepiece is driven along the gamepiece channel through a spring force generated by a spring associated with the first starting mechanism.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein in step (c) the gamepiece channel includes a first goal ramp, a first goal pipe and a first starter pipe that are sloped toward the first starting mechanism and the gamepiece is a foosball, the foosball rolling along the first goal ramp, the first goal pipe and the first starter pipe under the force of gravity.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2008
Applicant: DMI SPORTS, INC. (Fort Washington, PA)
Inventor: Graham R. Bowe (Yardley, PA)
Application Number: 11/615,608
International Classification: A63B 67/00 (20060101);