U.S. patent application number 10/424494 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for tabletop game with lighted features.
Invention is credited to Boettcher, William C., Doherty, Thomas M., Oister, Michael J..
Application Number | 20040036211 10/424494 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31996691 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040036211 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oister, Michael J. ; et
al. |
February 26, 2004 |
Tabletop game with lighted features
Abstract
The present invention provides a game having accentuating light
emanating through or from a translucent playing surface, sidewalls,
and/or representative players.
Inventors: |
Oister, Michael J.;
(Superior, CO) ; Doherty, Thomas M.; (Denver,
CO) ; Boettcher, William C.; (Denver, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & HART, LLP
555 17TH STREET, SUITE 3200
DENVER
CO
80201
US
|
Family ID: |
31996691 |
Appl. No.: |
10/424494 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10424494 |
Apr 25, 2003 |
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10224051 |
Aug 20, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/108.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/2464 20130101;
A63F 7/06 20130101; A63F 2009/2451 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/108.1 |
International
Class: |
A63F 007/07 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A game, comprising: a playing surface; the playing surface
having a top side and a bottom side; the top side comprising at
least one portion that can pass light; and at least one light
arranged, such that light from the at least one light traverses
through the at least one portion of the top side of the playing
surface.
2. The game according to claim 1, further comprising: a reflective
surface below the playing surface.
3. The game according to claim 1, further comprising: a reflective
layer on the bottom side of the playing surface.
4. The game according to claim 1, wherein the playing surface
comprises: at least one conduit.
5. The game according to claim 4, wherein the at least one light
transmits light along the at least one conduit.
6. The game according to claim 5, wherein light radiates out of at
least one section of the at least one conduit.
7. The game according to claim 5, the at least one light further
comprises at least one light transmitting element residing in the
at least one conduit.
8. The game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light is
a plurality of lights.
9. The game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light is
mounted to a sidewall.
10. The game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light
source comprises: at least one of a florescent light, an
incandescent light, a halogen light, a light string, a lcd, a led,
a laser, an electroluminescent light source, a chemical light
source, a light tube, or a flexible light wire.
11. The game according to claim 1, further comprising: at least a
second light arranged in a portion of a sidewall residing above the
playing surface.
12. The game according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one
representative player; and the at least one representative player
having at least one player light source.
13. The game according to claim 12, further comprising: at least
one cross bar arranged to hold the at least one representative
player above the playing surface; and at least one power feed; such
that the at least one power feed runs through the at least one
cross bar to the at least one player light source to supply power
to the at least one player light source.
14. The game according to claim 12, wherein the at least one player
light source comprises at least one of a florescent light, an
incandescent light, a halogen light, a light string, a lcd, a led,
a laser, an electroluminescent light source, a chemical light
source, a light tube, or a flexible light wire.
15. The game according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one
sidewall arranged above and around at least a part of the playing
surface; and the at least one sidewall capable of transmitting
light.
16. The game according to claim 1, wherein the playing surface
provides at least one lighting effect.
17. The game according to claim 16, wherein the lighting effect is
a prism effect.
18. The game according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the
playing surface and the reflective surface provide at least one
lighting effect.
19. A game comprising: a playing surface; the playing surface
having at least one portion that can pass light; and means for
transmitting light, the means for transmitting light causing light
to pass out through the at least one portion of the playing
surface, such that light radiating out of the at least one portion
of the playing surface can be viewed from above the playing
surface.
20. The game according to claim 19, wherein the means for
transmitting light comprises: at least one light source.
21. The game according to claim 20, wherein the at least one light
source resides below the playing surface and the means for
transmitting light further comprises a reflective surface below the
at least one light source.
22. The game according to claim 21, the means for transmitting
light further comprises at least one conduit in the playing
surface, such that light from the at least one light source travels
along the at least one conduit.
23. The game according to claim 21, the means for transmitting
light further comprises at least one conduit in the playing
surface, such that light from the at least one light source
radiates out and travels along the at least one conduit.
24. The game according to claim 19, further comprising at least one
sidewall arranged around and above the playing surface, the at
least one sidewall capable of transmitting and radiating light.
25. The game according to claim 19, further comprising: at least
one representative player; and at least one player light source in
the at least one representative player.
26. The game according to claim 25, further comprising means for
supplying power to the at least one player light source.
27. The game according to claim 26, wherein the means for supplying
power includes at least one power feed arranged in a cross bar
holding the at least one representative player.
28. A tabletop game, comprising: a playing surface; at least one
representative player residing above the playing surface; and at
least one player light source illuminating at least a portion of
the at least one representative player.
29. The tabletop game according to claim 28, further comprising:
means for supplying power to the at least one player light
source.
30. The tabletop game according to claim 29, wherein the means for
supplying power includes at least one battery in the at least one
representative player.
31. The tabletop game according to claim 29, wherein the means for
supplying power includes at least one power feed.
32. The tabletop game according to claim 31, wherein the at least
one power feed resides in at least one cross bar arranged to hold
the at least one representative player above the playing
surface.
33. The tabletop game according to claim 31, wherein the at least
one power feed resides in at least one player track arranged to
guide the at least one representative player on the playing
surface.
34. The tabletop game according to claim 28, wherein at least one
portion of the playing surface is capable of passing light.
35. The tabletop game according to claim 34, wherein the at least
one portion of the playing surface is translucent or
transparent.
36. The tabletop game according to claim 34, further comprising at
least one playing surface light source arranged such that light is
viewable from above the playing surface through the at least one
portion of the playing surface.
37. The tabletop game according to claim 36, wherein the at least
one playing surface light source is arranged below the playing
surface.
38. The tabletop game according to claim 36, wherein the at least
one playing surface light source is arranged in the same plane as
the playing surface.
40. The tabletop game according to claim 34, further comprising: a
reflective surface below the playing surface.
41. The tabletop game according to claim 34, further comprising a
reflective coating on a bottom of the playing surface.
42. A table top game, comprising: a playing surface; at least one
sidewall about at least a portion of the playing surface; and at
least one light source arranged, such that light from the at least
one light source radiates from the at least one sidewall onto the
playing surface.
43. The tabletop game according to claim 42, wherein the light from
the at least one light source traverses a translucent portion of
the at least one sidewall.
44. The tabletop game according to claim 42, wherein the playing
surface comprises a light passing section such that light from the
at least one light source traverses through the at least one
portion of the playing surface.
45. The tabletop game according to claim 42, wherein the at least
one light source is at least one of a florescent light, an
incandescent light, a halogen light, a light string, a lcd, a led,
a laser, an electroluminescent light source, a chemical light
source, a light tube, or a flexible light wire.
46. The tabletop game according to claim 42, further comprising: at
least one representative player; and the at least one
representative player having at least one player light source.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/224,051, filed Aug. 20, 2002, titled
"TABLETOP GAME WITH LIGHTED PLAYING FIELD."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to tabletop games and, more
particularly, to tabletop sports games, such as foosball, baseball,
basketball, bowling, hockey, or the like, having lighted
fixtures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many arcade style tabletop games exists. Some of the more
popular arcade style tabletop games simulate soccer (or football as
it is known outside of the United States) and hockey. These games
typically comprise a tabletop playing field that simulates the
field and players of the actual game. While the below application
refers to soccer simulations, a.k.a. foosball games, one of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize other tabletop games can
be substituted for foosball.
[0004] A foosball table includes rows of representative athletes,
suspended like pendulums from control rods that are mounted
transversely above a playing field. Players slide and rotate the
control rods to make the athletes kick a small ball, attempting to
score a goal. The representative athletes are suspended over a
playing field that represents a traditional soccer field. Often
times, the traditional field is modified in the corners to provide
a slope so the foosball does not get caught in the corner. Instead
of slopes, some style foosball games have representative goalies
(one or more) that can extend into the one or the other of the
corners.
[0005] While generally enjoyable in its own right, these tabletop
games frequently do not sustain the interest of players for any
length of time. Thus, it would be desirable to produce a tabletop
game having additional features to increase interest in the
tabletop game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose
of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a
tabletop game is provided having a clear, translucent or
semi-translucent surface. A light source is placed under the
surface.
[0007] Another feature of the present invention is a tabletop game
with lighted representative players. Still another feature of the
present invention is a tabletop game with lighted sidewalls.
[0008] The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages
of the invention will be apparent from the following more
particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the present invention, and together with the description, serve to
explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are
referred to using the same numerical reference.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a foosball game
illustrative of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a side plan view of the foosball game
illustrative of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a playing surface associated
with one potential embodiment of the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a tabletop game
illustrative of the playing surface described in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention will be further explained with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a
representation of a soccer field is generally illustrated by
playing field 10. Playing field 10 may include indicia of a
regulation soccer field including, for example, goalie box 12,
Center kickoff circle 14, center line 16, and the like. Playing
field 10 is surrounded by sidewall 18. Instead of regulation
markings, playing field 10 may have indicia of players, whimsical
designs, or the like.
[0015] Playing field 10 is made, at least in part, of a material
clear, transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent to light. For
simplicity, the term translucent as used in this application, is
intended to encompass anything other than opaque. For example,
playing field 10 could be a clear plastic, glass, colored plastic,
colored glass, a frosted glass like surface, or the like. Further,
playing field 10 could have portions of the playing surface
translucent (including varying degrees of translucence) or opaque
to form patterns and designs in the playing surface. Still further,
playing field 10 could be designed to have a lighting effect that
may reflect, refract, or disburse light, such as, for example, a
prism. A light source, which will be explained further below, can
be placed below the playing field 10, providing a lighted surface
on which foosball could be played.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, a side plan view of the foosball
table is provided. Residing beneath playing field 10, is at least
one light source 20. As shown, light source 20 could be a single
florescent light tube extending down the center of the playing
surface. Of course, the tabletop game could be designed so that the
light is completely or partially enclosed by the sidewalls.
However, multiple rows of florescent light tubes may be used.
Further, light tubes could be arranged parallel or diagonal to the
long or short dimension of the playing field 10. Other types of
lights, however, could also be possible, such as, incandescent
lights, halogen lights, light strings (such as Christmas lights),
lcds, leds, lasers, electro luminescent light sources, chemical
light sources, light tubes, flexible light wires, or the like.
Still further, one or more light sources may be mounted in
sidewalls so lights tubes, such as florescent lights would not have
to run the length of the playing field. In general, almost any
arrangement of light can be provided depending on the lighting
effect desired. Further, light source 20 could be a strobe light or
other light that has an on and off feature, similar to a timer, or
a string of blinking Christmas lights. Still further, it would be
possible to have a dimmer to manually or automatically control the
brightness of light source 20. Finally, a timer could be used to
control an on and off pattern of the lights and the dimmer.
[0017] Instead of having light source 20 reside beneath the playing
field 10 as shown, it would be possible to mold a glass or plastic
playing surface such that one or more tubes or conduits 32 existed
in the playing field 10, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3. For
example, FIG. 3 shows three conduits 32 molded in playing field 10.
In this case, conduits 32 are open to each end 34 of playing field
10, but conduits 10 could be open on one, both, or neither side. If
ends 34 and conduits 32 are not open, light could be coupled,
refracted, or reflected into conduits 32 through a solid end 34.
While conduits 32 are shown generally straight and parallel the
longer dimension of playing field 10, other configurations are
possible. Conduits 32, for example, do not need to be identical,
could be curved, could be part curved and part straight, could be
diagonal, or the like. Further, conduits 32 are shown with a
cylindrical geometric shape, but other shapes are possible whether
irregular, random, or geometric. Further, ridges, grooves and other
imperfections in the conduits may cause desirable lighting effects
(such as a prism effect).
[0018] FIG. 3 shows optional reflective layer 36. Instead of
reflective layer 36, a reflective surface 38 could be supplied,
which is shown in phantom. Reflective layer 36 or reflective
surface 38 can be any conventional light reflecting surface, such
as a mirror or mirrored coating on, for example, glass. While
reflective layer 36 or reflective surface 38 could be used with any
light source mentioned to provided various lighting effects, it is
contemplated that reflective layer 36 or reflective surface 38
would enhance the ability of light source(s) 20 residing along a
sidewall to illuminate areas of playing field 10 not substantially
adjacent light source(s) 20.
[0019] It is believe using reflective layer 36 or reflective
surface 38 will reduce the amount of light the light source needs
to provide. By reducing the amount of light the light source needs
to provide, it is hoped that the number of lights that need to be
packaged will be reduced.
[0020] A light source (not shown in FIG. 3) could be placed such
that light from the source shines down conduits 32. Instead of
simply providing a light source, conduits 32 could be lined to
enhance the light or light carrying ability. Further, emitting
tubes could be placed in conduits 32 to assist in light
transmission. Such light carrying tubes are described in, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,076, titled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
LIGHT TRANSMISSION," issued on Mar. 9, 1999. Other light tubes
include electro luminescent lights as described in, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,335, titled "ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHT SOURCES,"
issued on Jan. 16, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,930, titled
"ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHT SOURCE WITH A MIXTURE LAYER FILLED WITH A
TRANSPARENT FILLER SUBSTANCE," issued on Feb. 9, 1999, and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,400,093, titled "FLEXIBLE ELECTROLUMINESCENT LIGHT
SOURCE WITH ACTIVE PROTECTION FROM MOISTURE," issued Jun. 4, 2002,
incorporated by reference. Electro luminescent light sources are
sometimes known as flexible light wire. Other light sources include
chemical luminescent compositions, which are sometimes known as
light sticks, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,843, titled "SUPERIOR
OXALATE ESTER CHEMICAL LIGHTING SYSTEM," issued on Feb. 2, 1982,
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,608, titled "CHEMILUMINESCENT COMPOSITION,"
issued on Jul. 7, 1987. All of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0021] Referring back to FIG. 1, residing substantially about
playing surface 10 are a plurality of representative players 22.
While not shown in detail, one or more players 22 could incorporate
various types of lights also. For example, flexible light wire
could be used to illuminate an edge of one or more players 22, LCD
light sources could be used to illuminate a strike surface 22s on
one or more players 22. It is contemplated that players 22 could
have some type of electro luminescent light source or chemical
luminescent light source because, for manufacturing purposes, it
would be difficult to supply a power source to players 22. However,
other styles of light sources can be used, such as, conventional
lights, lasers, strobes, halogens, fluorescents, and the like.
Power for lights could be supplied by running power through bars 24
on which players 22 reside, in this case, by batteries (not shown)
contained in players 22, or the like. Other style games may have
more or less options for supplying power to players 22. For
example, a hockey style game typically has runners in playing
surface 10 instead of bars 24 for players 22. Thus, contacts could
be supplied along the runners to enable power to players 22.
[0022] Tabletop games, be they foosball games, table hockey games,
football games, or baseball games, basketball games, or the like
generally define playing field 10 by a sidewall 18. As mentioned
above, sidewall 18 may have lights affixed to reduce other lighting
requirements. Further, sidewall 18 may also be translucent, opaque,
or a combination thereof to provide reflective light from light
source 20 or a separate light source (not shown). Moreover, in some
embodiments of the present invention, playing field 10 may be
completely opaque, but sidewall 18 may be at least partially
translucent to allow light to pass.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, a tabletop game 400 is shown using
the reflective surface 38. As shown by the cross sectional view,
game 400 has a playing surface 10 surrounded by sidewalls 18. For
convenience, one representative player 22 (the goalie) is shown on
a series of cross bars 24. Under playing surface 10 is light source
20 arranged on sidewall 18. Sidewall 18 can be arranged as shown to
have a continuous side, or sidewall 18 could be broken into
separate parts, such as a playing field portion above playing field
10 and a support portion below playing field 10. In this case, a
single light source 20 is shown between playing field 10 and a
reflective surface 38, such as a mirror. Arrows 42 indicate how the
single light source 20 can illuminate the entire playing field by
reflecting light off of surface 38. If playing surface 10 had a
layer or coating 44 of a partially reflective material, more light
would be transmitted to side 200 opposite light source 20.
Partially reflective means some light passes through layer 44 and
some is reflected back to reflective surface 38. The amount of
light actually passed by the partially reflective material is a
matter of design choice. FIG. 4 also shows a ball drop 46. If, as
mentioned above, lights are provided on players 22, power could be
supplied to the players by wires 48 running through cross bars
24.
[0024] While the invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to particular embodiment(s) thereof, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other
changes in the form and details may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *