U.S. patent application number 11/840313 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for modular gaming table.
Invention is credited to Andrew Polay.
Application Number | 20080136108 11/840313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39497047 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080136108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Polay; Andrew |
June 12, 2008 |
MODULAR GAMING TABLE
Abstract
The present invention provides a modular gaming table
comprising: (a) a modular table top comprising a main table surface
having a top side and a bottom side; (b) at least one personal
player area module receiving area; (c) at least one personal player
area module insertably integral with the table top, the personal
player area module having a top module side and a bottom module
side, the top module side being about approximately flush with the
table top surface in the horizontal plane; (d) a subsurface having
a top side and a bottom side, wherein the subsurface top side is
attachable to the main table surface bottom side; (e) a
surface-subsurface attachment means; (f) a trim ring positioned
approximately around the outer perimeter of the table top in the
horizontal plane; (g) personal player area module attachment means.
According to a preferred embodiment, the personal player area
module is slidably insertable into the tabletop.
Inventors: |
Polay; Andrew; (Hamburg,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE LAW OFFICES OF THOMAS L. ADAMS
120 EAGLE ROCK AVENUE, P.O. BOX 340
EAST HANOVER
NJ
07936
US
|
Family ID: |
39497047 |
Appl. No.: |
11/840313 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60822949 |
Aug 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/309 ; 108/24;
108/25; 108/43; 108/50.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 25/00 20130101;
A63F 2003/00164 20130101; A63F 3/00157 20130101; A63F 1/067
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/309 ; 108/25;
108/24; 108/43; 108/50.01 |
International
Class: |
A63F 11/00 20060101
A63F011/00; A47B 85/00 20060101 A47B085/00; A47B 3/00 20060101
A47B003/00; A47B 37/00 20060101 A47B037/00 |
Claims
1. A modular gaming table comprising: a. a table top comprising: i.
a main table surface comprising: 1. a top side; 2. a bottom side;
3. a plurality of personal player area module receiving areas; 4. a
plurality of personal player area modules; 5. a Trim ring; 6. an
air ring; 7. a dealer area; 8. a plurality of personal player area
module apertures; 9. a plurality of drink well system collection
openings; 10. a plurality of air purification module openings; 11.
padding; 12. fabric cover ii. a sub-surface comprising: 1. a top
side; 2. a bottom side; 3. a plurality of personal player area;
module subsurface apertures; 4. a plurality of drink well system
collection subsurface openings; 5. a plurality of air purification
system subsurface openings; iii. surface-subsurface attachment
means; iv. personal player area module attachment means; v. an air
ventilation system comprising; 1. an air ring; 2. a plurality of
drop tubes; 3. a plurality of exhaust vents; 4. an air purifier
means; vi. a liquid drainage system comprising; 1. a plurality of
drink well system collection down tubes connected to the drink well
collection system openings; 2. a reservoir receptacle attached to
the bottom of the subsurface, wherein the drink well system
collection down tubes feed into the reservoir receptacle. b. a
pedestal comprising a plurality of legs, wherein the legs are
attached to the bottom of the subsurface by an pedestal attachment
means.
2. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the pedestal is further
comprising a pedestal subbase.
3. The gaming table of claim 1, further comprising at least one cup
holder module.
4. The gaming table of claim 1, further comprising at least one
chip holder module.
5. The gaming table of claim 1, further comprising at least one
card module.
6. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the air ventilation system
further comprises a filter.
7. The gaming table of claim 5, wherein the card module comprises a
shuffle machine.
8. The gaming table of claim 5, wherein the card module comprises a
card dispenser.
9. The gaming table of claim 5, wherein the card module further
comprises a card drop slot.
10. The gaming table of claim 4, wherein the chip holder module is
comprises a shuffle machine.
11. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the air purification means
further comprises a vacuum motor.
12. The gaming table of claim 11, wherein each drop tube comprises
a cylinder having a top end connected to the air ring and a bottom
end connected to the air purification means.
13. The gaming table of claim 11, wherein each exhaust vent
comprises an enclosed tube having a top end connected to the air
purification means and a bottom end venting to the atmosphere.
14. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein each drink well system
collection down tube comprises an enclosed tube having a top end
connected to the drink well collection system opening and a bottom
end connection to the reservoir receptacle.
15. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the fabric cover is
felt.
16. The gaming table of claim 1, wherein the personal player area
module is slidably insertable into the table top.
17. The personal player area module of claim 1.
18. The dealer area module of claim 1.
19. The ventilation module of claim 1.
20. The drink spill module of claim 1.
21. The card module of claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/822,949 filed 21 Aug. 2006, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention involves the field of gaming tables in
general and specifically relates to a method and device for
fashioning and assembling a modular gaming table.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gaming tables are well known in the art, being designed to
specifically accommodate particular gaming activities. Such gaming
tables are commonplace in casinos and such establishments that
provide wagering games such as poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat
and roulette. The gaming tables are constructed so as to provide a
playing surface and a betting surface and to accommodate a number
of players and an individual to facilitate the game, such as a
dealer. The table surface often provides information, symbols or
instructions critical for facilitating operation of the game. The
surfaces are often fabric covered, commonly in felt. The table
surface may be elaborate and often must be maintained in pristine
condition. However, it is well recognized that time and wear and
tear often degrade the surface of the table, requiring the table to
be taken out of use for a period of repair and maintenance. Indeed,
it is often the activities of the players that mar the table
surface, by spilling drinks, dropping tobacco ashes and by general
use. Moreover, even in jurisdictions where indoor smoking has been
prohibited, casinos have secured exceptions, making it desirable to
eliminate second-hand smoke from smoking players. Thus, it is
desirable to have a table that can be quickly maintained in order
to minimize table "down-time." Moreover, it is desirable to have a
table that can approximate a "smoke-free" environment while
accommodating the smoking patron. The prior art has failed to
provide such a table. The present invention solves this
long-standing problem and provides such a table, which takes
advantage of a modular approach, providing a personal player area,
which is a replaceable module, without the need for elaborate tools
and lengthy repairs. In addition to being easily maintained and
repaired, the provided table is easily and readily reconfigured for
multiple wagering games. The table of the present invention
provides a main finished table surface (or field of play) itself
typically comprised of three parts: (a) a Dealer area; .(b) a main
table surface area; and (c) at least one personal player surface
area. In the prior art, such components are typically replaced at
the same time because the entire field of play on any one table
offering a wagering game is comprised of a single unit, such as a
single piece of felt or fabric on any single existing table. Thus,
the replacement of such a table surface, poses a problem in that
the entire table is unusable during the period of replacement and
maintenance of any of the constituent parts.
[0004] The present invention solves this problem by providing a
plurality of modules that can be easily removed and reinserted into
the table for rapid repair and maintenance in the event of spills,
burns or other damage or reconfiguration or maintenance
requirements. Each module can be removed independently of any
others, thereby economizing repair/maintenance issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a modular gaming table comprising: (a) a modular table top
comprising a main table surface having a top side and a bottom
side; (b) at least one personal player area module receiving area;
(c) at least one personal player area module insertably integral
with the table top, the personal player area module having a top
module side and a bottom module side, the top module side being
about approximately flush with the table top surface in the
horizontal plane; (d) a sub-surface having a top side and a bottom
side, wherein the subsurface top side is attachable to the main
table surface bottom side; (e) a surface-subsurface attachment
means; (f) a trim ring positioned approximately around the outer
perimeter of the table top in the horizontal plane; (g) personal
player area module attachment means.
[0006] According to an embodiment of this invention, the device
comprises at least one replaceable component. It is expressly
understood that such components may include a felt cover, a chip
tray, a card box, a shuffle machine, a card dispenser, other
variable components, and a pedestal base. According to another
embodiment of this invention, the device comprises an air
filtration device. According to another embodiment of this
invention, the device comprises a plurality of cup holders.
According to a preferred embodiment, a module integrates a drainage
system capable of removing spills or beverage condensate. According
to still another embodiment of this invention, the device comprises
a spill well and drainage system. According to a preferred
embodiment, the device comprises interchangeable modules.
[0007] Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the
long-standing problem of the need for a gaming table device capable
of providing a means for rapid modular interchange components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows the gaming table main table surface.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the gaming table sub-surface.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows the gaming table personal player area.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the gaming table.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the trim and air ring.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a cut away in situ view of the trim ring, air
ring.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows the drink well system. FIG. 7A shows the drink
well trim module in position on the table. FIG. 7B shows the drink
well trim module with the drink well trim module down tubes as a
separated module.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the gaming table.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention provides a modular gaming table
comprising: (a) a modular table top comprising a main table surface
having a top side and a bottom side; (b) at least one personal
player area module receiving area; (c) at least one personal player
area module insertably integral with the table top, the personal
player area module having a top module side and a bottom module
side, the top module side being about approximately flush with the
table top surface in the horizontal plane; (d) a subsurface having
a top side and a bottom side, wherein the subsurface top side is
attachable to the main table surface bottom side; (e) a
surface-subsurface attachment means; (f) a trim ring positioned
approximately around the outer perimeter of the table top in the
horizontal plane; (g) personal player area module attachment means.
According to a preferred embodiment, the personal player area
module is slidably insertable into the tabletop.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
tabletop further comprises a dealer area. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the tabletop further comprises
a plurality of personal player area module apertures. According to
still another embodiment of the present invention, the tabletop
further comprises a plurality of drink well system collection
openings. According to yet still another embodiment of the present
invention, the tabletop further comprises a plurality of air
purification module openings. Still further, according to another
embodiment of the present invention, the tabletop further comprises
padding. Yet further still, according to another embodiment of the
present invention, the tabletop further comprises a fabric cover.
According to one embodiment of this invention, the fabric cover is
felt. It is specifically understood by the invention, that the
fabric may be any porous material such as cloth, natural fiber,
synthetic fiber, wood, cork, and plastic. According to another
embodiment of this invention, the modular tabletop is non porous
such as stone, marble or a synthetic version thereof. It is also
understood that the fabric cover may be a semi-porous material.
[0018] According to still another embodiment of the present
invention, the provided modular gaming table further comprises an
air ventilation system. Such a ventilation system is for the
purpose of providing fresh air to the users such as the players and
the operator or dealer. As is noted in the prior art, smoking is
commonplace at establishments having gaming tables. Accordingly,
smoke can be an irritant to the players, operators and dealers as
well as a contributor to the general degradation and wear and tear
on the gaming table and surrounding environs, leading to a
situation requiring more frequent maintenance of the gaming table.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a gaming table with the
disclosed ventilation system. Still another embodiment of this
invention provides that each drop tube comprises a cylinder having
a top end connected to the air ring and a bottom end connected to
the air purification means. According to a preferred embodiment of
this invention, each exhaust vent comprises an enclosed tube having
a top end connected to the air purification means and a bottom end
venting to the atmosphere.
[0019] According to still another embodiment of this invention, the
modular gaming table further comprises a liquid drainage system. As
is noted in the prior art, the drinking of beverages is commonplace
at establishments having gaming tables. It is also common for
players to have liquid drinks at the gaming table. Accordingly,
whether mere condensation or by an accidental spill the game and
the game table can be degraded by the presence of the liquid drinks
at the gaming table leading to a situation requiring more frequent
maintenance of the gaming table. Accordingly, the present invention
provides a gaming table with an integral liquid drainage
system.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, each
drink well system collection down tube comprises an enclosed tube
having a top end connected to the drink well collection system
opening and a bottom end connection to the reservoir
receptacle.
[0021] Further still, another embodiment of the present invention
provides the modular gaming table further comprising a pedestal.
According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the pedestal
further comprises a pedestal sub base.
[0022] Still another preferred embodiment of the invention further
comprises at least one cup holder module. Another preferred
embodiment of the invention further comprises at least one chip
holder module. Yet still another preferred embodiment of the
invention further comprises at least one card module.
[0023] According to still a further embodiment of the present
invention, the air ventilation system further comprises: (a) an air
ring; (b) a plurality of drop tubes; (c) a plurality of exhaust
vents; and (d) an air purifier means. According to a preferred
embodiment of this invention, the air ventilation system further
comprises a filter. According to another preferred embodiment of
this invention, the air purification means further comprises a
vacuum motor.
[0024] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
liquid drainage system further comprises: (a) a plurality of drink
well system collection down tubes connected to the drink well
collection system openings; and (b) a reservoir receptacle attached
to the bottom of the subsurface, wherein the drink well system
collection down tubes feed into the reservoir receptacle.
[0025] According to an even further embodiment of the present
invention, the card module comprises a shuffle machine. According
to yet another embodiment of this invention, the card module
comprises a card dispenser. Yet still another embodiment of this
invention is wherein the card module further comprises a card drop
slot. According to still another embodiment, the chip holder module
comprises a shuffle machine.
[0026] The present invention also provides each individual modular
component and contemplates methods for insertion and removal of the
modules.
[0027] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows main table surface
100 comprising a plurality of personal player areas 103, each
personal player area 103 being a separate modular component,
independently replaceable from that of any other part of the main
finished table surface (or field of play) area. Each personal
player area 103 is attachable from the underside of the sub surface
I 200 portion of the main table 100. (See also, FIGS. 2 and 4). The
attaching hardware 411 that attaches each personal player area 103
is inaccessible to an individual player sitting in front or
adjacent to any personal player area 103.
[0028] FIG. 1 also shows the dealer area 101 of the main finished
table 100 surface, the dealer area 101 being a separate modular
component, independently replaceable from that of any other part of
the main finished table surface (or field of play) area. The
attaching hardware 411 that attaches the dealer area 101 is
inaccessible to an individual sitting in front or adjacent to any
personal player area 103 or to the dealer area 101. FIG. 1, also
shows the main table surface area 102, being a separate modular
component, independently replaceable from that of any other part of
the main finished table surface (or field of play) area. The
attaching hardware 411 that attaches the main table surface area
102 is inaccessible to an individual sitting in front or adjacent
to any personal player area 103 or to the dealer area 101 or the
main table surface area 102.
[0029] The main table surface area may be comprised of felt,
fabric, stone, wood, metal, plastic, glass, tile, and any and all
natural and man-made material.
[0030] The embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1
also shows the arm rail trim ring 105; the air purification trim
ring 104; and a drink well trim module 106. It is specifically
contemplated by the present invention that each such component--the
arm rail trim ring 105; the air purification trim ring 104; and the
drink well trim module 106 each are a separate modular component,
independently replaceable from that of any other part of the main
finished table surface (or field of play) area. The attaching
hardware 411 for each modular component is inaccessible to an
individual sitting in front or adjacent to the component or any
personal player area 103 or dealer area 101.
[0031] The replaceable arm rail trim ring 105 is semi-attached,
semi permanent item that can only be replaced if the table is
unoccupied at the time of replacement.
[0032] Each modular component of the invention is supported by a
planar surface, sub-surface 1) 200 as shown in FIG. 2. Sub-surface
1 200 surfaces are constructed of impervious material. Sub-surface
1 200 further comprises at least one aperture 207, for placement of
all necessary portions of any replaceable part of the main table
surface area (or field of play). According to one embodiment of the
invention, sub-surface 1 200 further comprises at least one channel
cut out 208 capable of transmitting there through an air
purification system drop tube 617.
[0033] FIG. 2 also shows a plurality of applied cleats 209. Each
applied cleat 209 is attached to the underside of the subsurface 1
200 portion of the main table. The applied cleat is inserted into
the pedestal portion of the completed table. Each applied cleat 209
further comprises attaching hardware 411 on the bottom side of the
applied cleat 209. Sub-surface 1 200 is out of the visible view of
any or all players seated in front or around all such tables. All
modularly replaceable components are positioned in a parallel flat
plane on the sub-surface 1.
[0034] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a cross-section of the personal player
area 103 with the attaching hardware 411 to the underside of the
sub-surface 1 200. Sub-surface 1 200 further comprises at least one
aperture 307 for the cleat of a personal player area 103 to pass
there through. The personal player area 103 has attached an applied
cleat 209. The attaching hardware 411 is attached to the bottom
side of the personal player area 103 with the cleat facilitating
the sliding there through of the attaching hardware 411 to stably
hold in position, the personal player area 103, which is then
securely held to the subsurface 1 200 portion of the table.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows the air purification system according to a
preferred embodiment (see also FIG. 6), including the air ring trim
ring 104. The air purifier 615 is shown according to this
embodiment, in FIG. 6 together with related components. At least
one powered air purification unit 615 (see also FIG. 6) is
deposited within the pedestal 410. A plurality of replaceable air
purification system drop tubes 617 are each attached at one end to
the bottom side of the air purification trim ring 104, itself
positioned on the main finished table surface 102 (see also FIG.
1). The other end of each air purification system drop tube is
attached to the intake opening of an intake manifold 616, the
manifold itself being attached at the air purifier end to an air
purifier 615, which itself comprises a power unit proximate to the
manifold intake. Purified air is returned to the room via an
exhaust vent 621 of the power unit. According to one embodiment of
this invention, the air circulates past the dealer from the
underside of the table and into the main pit area of the table
gaming area. The air purification system 615 acts to remove
particulate matter from the air including but not limited to smoke
and dust. According to an embodiment of this invention the air
purification system may further comprise a filter. It is expressly
understood that the present invention contemplates that the filter
is a replaceable modular component.
[0036] The air purification trim ring 104, shown in FIG. 1 on the
main finished table surface functions to collect and remove air
particulate around the main finished table surfaces while still
maintaining the use of any replaceable ashtray that may he present
at each personal player area 103. According to a preferred
embodiment of this invention, the air purification trim ring 104
has a thickness opening that of no more than the dimension of a
standard quarter or gaming chip for the length of the air trim ring
104 on the main finished table surface. As shown in FIG. 6,
according to one embodiment of the invention, the air intake
manifold 616 is constructed in a slight triangular design. Liquid
spills into the air trim ring 104 can thereby be simply resolved
because the manifold 616 also acts as a drain reservoir with a
drainage hole located at the bottom of the triangular manifold 616.
A replaceable retention receptacle may be positioned so as to by
gravity collect any such spills.
[0037] FIG. 5, shows a cross section of the arm trim ring 105
showing the arm trim ring padding 422 and the trim ring fabric
surface 421 together with the air trim ring 104 in a preferred
embodiment, in relation to the subsurface 1 200 and the trim ring
subsurface 521 and the personal player area 103. The air trim ring
104 is attached to the top side of the sub-surface 1 200 portion of
the table. The air trim ring 104 is attached to the air purifier
615 by a plurality of air purification system down tubes 617 each
of which pass through an aperture 207 in the sub-surface 1 200.
[0038] FIG. 6, shows a preferred embodiment wherein the air
purifier 615 in relation to the pedestal 610. Each drop tube 617
passes through a sub-surface I 200 aperture 307 and down the
pedestal 610 to the intake manifold 616. Air is returns to the room
through an exhaust vent 621 positioned located on the air purifier
615 on the bottom side of subsurface I 200.
[0039] FIG. 7 shows the drink well trim module 106 of a preferred
embodiment of the invention. The bottom side of the drink well trim
module 106 is attached to the top side of sub surface I 200. The
bottom side of each drink well trim module 106 is attached to the
top end of a drink well trim module down tube 719. The bottom end
of each drink well trim module down tube 719 terminates in a
replaceable reservoir receptacle 718.
[0040] FIG. 8, shows a pedestal sub-base 814 according to a
preferred embodiment. It is specifically understood that the
invention contemplates a variety of pedestal sub-base designs,
which are well known in the art. The invention also provides a foot
rail portion of the main pedestal 810. Each sub base pedestal 814
portion of the main pedestal 810 is replaceable as needed due to
wear of the sub base pedestal 814.
[0041] FIG. 8 also shows the attaching hardware 411 in relation to
the overall table assembly. (See also FIG. 3). FIG. 8 also shows a
preferred locking mechanism for the pedestal 810 in relation to the
pedestal sub base 814. According to such an embodiment of the
present invention, the, pedestal 810 is attached to the pedestal
sub base by the use of a slide pin through at least one aperture in
the pedestal sub base 814 as well as attached to sub surface I with
attachment means 411. FIG. 8 further shows the applied cleats 409
on the bottom side of sub surface I 200. Sub-surface I 200 applied
cleat 409 fits into the to end of the pedestal 810 and is held in
place with attaching means 411 such as with the use of a slide pin
through an aperture on the top side of the pedestal 810. It is
expressly understood that this embodiment is exemplary in showing
the relation of the table components. For example, according to
another embodiment each dealer areas 101 further comprises at least
one chip tray module. According to still another embodiment, the
invention further comprises a card discard tray module, a card drop
box, a game kiosk, a wagering display, a card shoe and a card
shuffle machine.
[0042] Throughout this application, various publications and
patents and patent applications are referenced. The disclosures of
these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by
reference into this application in order to more fully describe the
state of the art
[0043] This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out
in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The present disclosure is therefore to be
considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended Claims, and
all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency
are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *