U.S. patent application number 10/617477 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for game table with integral lighting system.
Invention is credited to Conti, John Michael, Cuomo, James Joseph, Lipscomb, Steven Roy.
Application Number | 20040070149 10/617477 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32073315 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040070149 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lipscomb, Steven Roy ; et
al. |
April 15, 2004 |
Game table with integral lighting system
Abstract
The present invention relates to a game table with a plurality
of player stations with an integral lighting system. The game
table, for example, a poker table, includes a light window adjacent
all of the player stations. An illumination device is fixedly
disposed beneath the light window. With such a configuration,
lighting is provided from beneath the table, which minimizes
shadows during television taping.
Inventors: |
Lipscomb, Steven Roy; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Conti, John Michael; (Glendale,
CA) ; Cuomo, James Joseph; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patent Administrator
KATTEN MUCHIN ZAVIS ROSENMAN
Suite 1600
525 West Monroe Street
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
32073315 |
Appl. No.: |
10/617477 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60411615 |
Sep 18, 2002 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 25/00 20130101;
A63F 2007/3674 20130101; A63F 2001/005 20130101; Y10S 273/24
20130101; A63F 1/067 20130101; A63F 2003/00164 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/309 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/00 |
Claims
1. A game table comprising: a playing surface configured to be
disposed at a predetermined height; a light window disposed
adjacent said playing surface; and a light source disposed beneath
said light window for projecting light upward.
2. The game table as recited in claim 1, wherein said playing
surface defines one or more player stations and a dealer station
and said light window is disposed adjacent all of said one or more
player stations.
3. The game table as recited in claim 2, further including a light
trough rigidly secured to the underside of the playing surface for
carrying said light source, said light trough disposed at least
partially beneath said light window.
4. The game table as recited in claim 3, wherein said light window
is disposed such that it is continuous adjacent all of said player
stations.
5. The game table as recited in claim 4, wherein said light window
is disposed adjacent an edge of said playing surface.
6. The game table as recited in claim 1, wherein said light window
is flush with said playing surface.
7. The game table as recited in claim 1, further including an arm
rest adjacent said light window around said player stations.
8. The game table as recited in claim 1, wherein said playing
surface is configured for use in a poker tournament.
9. The game table as recited in claim 3, wherein said light trough
is configured with a generally C-shaped cross section defining a
first and second vertical risers and a connecting floor.
10. The game table as recited in claim 9, wherein said first
vertical riser is securely fastened to the underside of the playing
surface and located such that a portion of said light trough
extends outwardly from an edge of said playing surface.
11. The game table as recited in claim 9, wherein said light trough
is formed with one or more access holes.
12. The game table as recited in claim 9, wherein said light trough
is formed with one or more vent holes.
13. The game table as recited in claim 1, wherein said light source
includes one or more fluorescent or non-fluorescent lights.
14. The game table as recited in claim 1, wherein said light window
is formed from plexiglass or other similar material.
15. The game table as recited in claim 14, wherein said plexiglas
is translucent (adj spec).
16. A poker table comprising: a playing surface; one or more table
supports for supporting said playing surface at a predetermined
height above the ground; and a lighting system for projecting light
upwardly from a point beneath the playing surface.
17. The poker table as recited in claim 16, wherein said lighting
system includes a light source and a light window.
18. The poker table as recited in claim 17, wherein said light
window is generally flush with said playing surface.
19. The poker table as recited in claim 16 said light source is
located beneath said light window.
20. The poker table as recited in claim 19 wherein said light
window is translucent.
21. A method for televising an event around a game table defining a
playing surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) projecting
light from beneath a playing surface of the game table; and (b)
televising the event by way of cameras located above the playing
surface of the table.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 60/411,615, filed on Sep. 18, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a game table with an
integral lighting system and more particularly to a game table,
such as a poker table, that includes an integral lighting system
which provides lighting suitable for television. The invention also
relates to a method for providing lighting during television taping
of games using a game table, such as poker tournaments.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Various poker game tournaments are known to be televised.
Because of the various camera angles required and the effects of
shadows, improvements have been made to optimize televising of such
game tournaments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,054 to Orenstein
discloses a poker table which facilitates televising a poker
tournament. In particular, the Orenstein patent discloses a poker
table with a plurality of player stations. In order to enable the
television audience to see each player's cards without disclosing
the cards to other players sitting around the table, a card viewing
window is disposed adjacent each player's station around the poker
table. Various mirrors and cameras are disposed beneath the card
viewing window to enable the cards, placed face down on the viewing
window, to be displayed to a television viewing audience without
disclosing the cards to other players sitting around the table.
[0006] While the above-mentioned system allows the television
viewing audience to view the poker hands during the game, other
problems exist with respect to televising of such game tournaments.
For example, shadows are always a problem in such a situation.
Thus, there is a need for a method for minimizing shadows during
television taping of various game tournaments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a game table with an
integral lighting system. The game table, for example, a poker
table, includes a light window, flush with the playing surface of
the game table. An illumination device is fixedly disposed beneath
the light window, for example, carried by a light trough. With such
a configuration, lighting is provided from beneath the table, which
minimizes shadows during television taping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following specification and attached drawing wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a game
table with an integral television lighting system in accordance
with the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the game table
illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the game table and integral
television lighting system in section.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game table illustrated
in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary oval shaped game table
top for use with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating a cutting line
for forming an exemplary table top for use with the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary table top after the portion
adjacent the cutting line illustrated in FIG. 5 is removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention relates to a game table with an
integral television lighting system. Although the principals of the
present invention are applicable to various types of game tables,
the present invention is illustrated and described with reference
to an exemplary poker table which facilitates television taping of
poker games and poker tournaments. The invention also relates to a
method for providing lighting suitable for television taping of
various games including poker games and poker tournaments which
minimizes shadows.
[0016] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary game table in accordance
with the present invention, generally identified with the reference
20. FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the process for forming an exemplary game
table as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Although FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a
specific configuration of a game table suitable for various games,
such as poker games, other embodiments of the invention are also
contemplated.
[0017] Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the game table 20 is
configured in a generally oval shape and includes a player portion,
generally identified with the reference 22 and a dealer station 24.
As shown, the player portion 22 is continuous and defines a
plurality of player stations. However, other embodiments may
include a game table with a continuous player portion and no dealer
portion as well as other geometric configurations, such as circular
and square. All such embodiments are considered to be within the
broad scope of the present invention.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the exemplary embodiment of the game
table 20 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.
As shown, the exemplary game table 20 is formed with a generally
oval shape defining two generally parallel sides 26 and 28 and
opposing rounded ends 30 and 32. The game table 20 may be supported
by various table supports to elevate the table 20 to a standard
playing height.
[0019] Two exemplary table supports, identified with the referenced
numerals 34 and 36, are shown. The table supports 34 and 36 are not
critical to the practice of the invention. It is only necessary
that the table supports elevate the table playing surface to the
standard playing height. The table supports 34 and 36 are
preferably selected to stabilize the playing surface of the game
table 20. The table supports 34 and 36 are selected so as to not
interfere with the chairs normally disposed around the players
portion 22 or dealer station 24 of the table 20.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a partial perspective view of the game
table 20 is shown which best illustrates the present invention. In
accordance with an important aspect of the invention, light is
projected from beneath the playing surface of the table 20. By
projecting light from the underside of the table 20, shadows are
minimized during the television taping of games played on the table
20. As shown, a light window 38 is continuously disposed along a
peripheral surface of the game table 20, adjacent the player
stations. The light window 38 may be optionally omitted from the
dealer station 24. During a card game, such as a poker tournament,
the dealer normally sits or stands adjacent the dealer station 24
while the players are seated around the game table 20. The light
window 38 is configured to minimize shadows of the players who are
seated around the table. The dealer's constant arm movements make
it preferable to omit the window beneath the dealer station. Enough
light spills from the windows on either side of the dealer without
casting additional shadows from arms, cards and hands.
[0021] The exemplary poker table 20 may be configured with a
measurement of 8 feet along a major axis 40 (FIG. 3) and 4 feet
along a minor axis 42. The width 44 of the light window 38 may be
selected to be 6 inches. The dealer station 24 may be selected to
be 24 inches, or consistent with current practices. An optional arm
rest 46 may be disposed around the playing area 22 of the game
table 20. The arm rest 46 may be padded and formed to have a width
48 (FIG. 3), for example, 4 inches. In the exemplary configuration
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the playing surface, generally identified
with the referenced numeral 50, defines a minor axis 52, for
example 28 inches, and a major axis 54 of 76 inches. The arm rest
portion 46 may be removable.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary construction detail of the game
table 20. As shown, the game table 20 may include a light trough
56. The light trough 56 may be used to carry an illumination device
66 in a fixed relationship relative to the light window 38. In
particular, the light trough 56 is disposed beneath the light
window 38, for example continuously along the players portion 22 of
the table 20. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,
the light trough 56 is sized to be wider than the light window 38.
Referring to FIG. 1, the light trough 56 is rigidly attached along
a dotted line 58 to the underside of the table 20. In the exemplary
embodiment shown, the light trough 56 may be formed with a width 62
(FIG. 2) of approximately 9 inches. The height 64 of the light
trough 56 may be selected to be 4 inches. Other dimensions are
suitable. Moreover, the light trough 56 is shown in a generally
rectangular cross section with an open top defining a C-type
configuration. Other configurations are also contemplated to fall
within the broad scope of the appended claims. It is only necessary
that the light trough 56 carry an illumination device 66 in a fixed
relationship relative to the viewing window 38 on top of the table.
Alternatively, the light trough 56 can be omitted and an
illumination source formed from an illumination device 66 may be
secured beneath the light window 38 by various conventional
methods.
[0023] Various configurations and methods for constructing the game
table 20 are considered to be within the broad scope of the
invention. In particular, the table 20 may be fabricated from
various materials including wood, steel, plastic or other
materials. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6,
the game table 20 may be fabricated from plywood or pressed board
and cut into a generally oval shape as shown in FIG. 4 and
identified with the reference numeral 68. A notch may be cut along
the dashed line 70 (FIG. 5) to define the playing area 22 and the
dealer station 24 thus creating a tabletop shape, as generally
illustrated in FIG. 6. As shown, the cut tabletop 70 is formed with
a generally oval shape and includes a tongue portion 72 which
defines the dealer station 24. In an exemplary embodiment, the
light trough 56 is secured around the periphery of the tabletop 76
except at the dealer station 24.
[0024] Referring back to FIG. 2, the exemplary light trough 56 is
formed with a pair of spaced apart vertical risers 76 and 78,
connected on one end by a horizontal member or floor 80 forming an
exemplary C-shaped configuration. For such an embodiment, the light
trough 56 may be cantilevered adjacent an edge 60 (FIG. 6) of the
tabletop 70 as indicated by the dotted line 58 (FIG. 1). As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2 the light trough 56 may be positioned relative to
the edge 60 (FIG. 6) so that one of the vertical risers 76 is
offset from the edge 60, for example by 3 inches. The light trough
56 may be then secured to the underside of a table top 70 using
various conventional methods including angle brackets and simple
wood blocks. In both cases, conventional fasteners, such as wood
screws or staples, may be used to connect the wood blocks or angle
irons to the light trough 56, as well as to the underside of the
tabletop 70. The number of wood blocks and angle brackets are
selected so that the light trough 56 is stable relative to the
tabletop 70.
[0025] As mentioned above, the game table 20 includes light window
38 which may be formed from translucent glass, such as milk colored
plexiglas. The translucent light window is disposed adjacent to the
outside perimeter of the table 20. As best shown in FIG. 2, the
light trough 56 is fixedly disposed beneath or in optical
communication with the light window 38 and carries an illumination
device 66, which may be one or more fluorescent lights or other
suitable light source. Such a configuration allows the lighting to
be projected from the underside of the tabletop 70.
[0026] A peripheral plate 84 may be secured to the vertical riser
78 of the light trough 56. The thickness of the peripheral plate 84
may be selected to be the same thickness as the tabletop 74. The
peripheral plate 84 has two purposes. First, the peripheral plate
84 provides a support for carrying one edge of the light window 38
over the light trough 56 so that it is essentially parallel to the
tabletop 70, although offset vertically. In addition, the
peripheral plate 84 may also be used to carry the arm rest 46,
which may be removable.
[0027] The arm rest 46 may include a generally L-shaped carrier 86,
which may be padded and covered with a suitable bumper pad
material, such as leather or vinyl. The arm rest 46 may be formed
to conform to the peripheral plate 84 as shown. In order to allow
the arm rest 46 to be removed to replace the pad material as a
result of wear and tear, the arm rest 46 may be removably carried
by the peripheral plate 84.
[0028] As shown best in FIG. 2, the arm rest 46 and light window 38
are selected to abut one another. A fabric pad 90 (FIG. 2) may be
used to account for the vertical offset between the light window 38
and the tabletop 70. The fabric pad 90 may consist of plywood cut
in a generally oblong shape and covered with a suitable fabric,
such as green felt. The fabric pad 90 may be simply laid on the
table or secured preferably from the bottom with suitable fasteners
which do not extend through the top surface of the fabric pad 90.
The fabric pad 90 may be configured with a thickness such that it
sits flush with the light window 38.
[0029] As mentioned above, the light window 38 may be formed from
plexiglas, for example having a milk color. The illumination device
66 may be a simple light fixture such as a tubular fluorescent
fixture that is simply mounted to the floor or vertical portion 80
of the light trough 56. Other types of fixtures are also suitable.
Also, combinations of illumination devices and mirrors may also be
used. Shorter lengths of fluorescent light fixtures can be used at
the rounded ends so as to form a piece wise linear light source at
the rounded ends 30, 32 (FIG. 1). And, non-fluorescent illumination
devices may also be used.
[0030] In order to enable access to the fluorescent or
non-fluorescent light fixtures 66 within the light trough 56,
access holes 92 (FIG. 2) may be provided. The access holes 92 may
be formed on the inner riser 76 of the light trough 56, as
generally shown in FIG. 2. These access holes 92 may be used to
operate the fluorescent or non-fluorescent lights within the light
trough 56. Fluorescent or non-fluorescent light replacement may be
accomplished by removal of the light window 38.
[0031] Vent holes 94 may be provided on the vertical risers 76, 78
and also on the horizontal floor 80. The vent holes are used to
dissipate heat by natural convection in the light trough 56.
[0032] Although not shown, all of the illumination devices 66 may
be electrically connected together in parallel. A single electrical
cord (not shown) may be used to connect the lights 66 into a source
of AC power.
[0033] The present invention enables the light required for
televising an event around the game table to be projected from
underneath the surface of the table. The milk colored plexiglas
used for the light window serves to diffuse light from the
illumination device to provide relatively uniform lighting for
televising by way of various television cameras (not shown) located
above the surface of the game table. With such a configuration,
shadows are minimized, thereby providing a relatively more natural
look for the players.
[0034] While the invention has been discussed in terms of preferred
and specific embodiments, it should be appreciated by those of
skill in the art that the invention is not so limited. The
embodiments are explained herein by way of example, and there are
numerous modifications, variations and other embodiments that may
be employed that would still be within the scope of the present
invention.
[0035] What is desired to be claimed and secured by a letters
patent is covered by appended claims.
* * * * *