Double Sided Soccer Man

Abstract

A game table including first and second substantially parallel player sides extending along a length direction, first and second substantially parallel goal sides extending along a width direction and a game playing surface defined within the player and goal sides. The game table includes at least one handle assembly connected to the game table. The handle assembly includes at least one turning rod carrying at least one player member, and a handle engaged with the turning rod whereby turning the handle operates to rotate the player to strike a playing piece. The player member includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body extending longitudinally therebetween.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present system relates to game tables and, in particular, a table soccer game table with rotating players having two foot portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Watching and participating in sporting events and games is a popular pastime for many people. However, due to time, space and the number of people needed for most such games, it is not always practical to arrange a full-scale game at any particular time. Moreover, due to the skill and physical conditioning required, plus the potential injuries from many such games, individuals are not always prepared to participate in a full-scale game. As a spin-off from full-scale games, recreational game tables such as for table soccer (sometimes called foosball), air hockey or field hockey have become popular. Game tables allow the participants to simulate a full-sized game with fewer people, less space and in a protected environment. Such games can, for example, be set up in basements, garages, game rooms, backyards, gyms, party facilities or otherwise and are often played with two or four people.

[0003] There have been various approaches to designing and constructing game tables for table soccer and table hockey. Typical table soccer game tables are designed so that the table users spin handles to cause the player pieces to spin with the handle rod. Additionally, the table users can push or pull the handles to cause the player pieces to move back and forth across a width of the table. Certain table hockey game tables are designed so that the players are moveable along a track and are rotatable by a handle rod positioned underneath the player pieces.

[0004] An improved game table is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one embodiment, a game table includes first and second substantially parallel player sides along a length direction, first and second substantially parallel goal sides along a width direction and a game playing surface defined within the player sides and the goal sides. The game table includes at least one handle assembly connected to the first player side of the game table and extending to the second player side. The handle assembly includes at least one turning rod carrying at least one player member for striking a game playing piece. The handle assembly further includes a handle engaged with said turning rod whereby turning the handle operates to rotate the player member. The player member includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body extending longitudinally therebetween.

[0006] In another embodiment, a game table includes first and second substantially parallel player sides, first and second substantially parallel goal sides and a game playing surface. The player sides extend along a length of the table, and the goal sides extend along a width of the table. Each of the goal sides defines a goal. The game table includes at least two handle assemblies including a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly, both of which are connected to the game table. Each of the handle assemblies includes a handle, at least one rod extending along a rod axis and engaged with the handle, and at least one player member positioned on the rod. The player member is configured to spin with rotation of the rod about the rod axis to strike a game playing piece and urge the playing piece towards a goal. The first handle assembly is connected to the first player side and extends through and beyond the second player side. The second handle assembly is connected to the second player side and extends through and beyond the first player side. Each of the handle assemblies is configured to move from the first player side to the second player side above the game playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to the game playing surface. Each of the handle assemblies is configured to translate the corresponding player member across the width of the table above the game playing surface by moving the handle toward and away from a player side. The player member includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body extending longitudinally therebetween.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, a player member for use with a game table having a game playing surface is provided. The player member includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body extending longitudinally therebetween. The combined weight of the first foot portion and the second foot portion is at least about 60% of the overall weight of the player member. This weight distribution is typically accomplished by virtue of the body portion including at least one gap and/or by the body portion being less dense than the foot portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game table, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a player member for use in a game table of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0011] In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a game table is provided with improved playing characteristics. In the illustrated example, the game table is for the game of soccer (also called foosball). The illustrated player member includes two feet portions at opposing ends and separated by a body portion. In preferred embodiments, the feet portions are heavier and/or are denser than the body portion, thereby allowing the foot portions to strike a game playing piece with more power as compared to a player member that is not "foot heavy."

[0012] A standard game table includes a playing surface, held over a support surface, such as a floor, by a support structure such as one or more legs or pedestals. The playing surface is often rectangular or round, but may be made in various geometric shapes. The playing surface is also typically substantially flat. In certain embodiments, the playing surface includes elevated or humped corner areas to keep the game piece (typically a ball or puck) in motion. In many instances, the playing surface is surrounded by a peripheral rail, which typically functions to retain game pieces within the area of the playing surface. The game pieces of the present invention are usable with various types of games and/or game tables, which are considered conventional for purposes of the present invention and are not described herein in detail. Game tables may also include game status indicators, such as score displays and timer displays, mounted to the game tables.

[0013] A soccer game table generally includes cross-bars with mounted soccer players. The soccer table game surface has a generally polygonal shape, but may include semicircular shaped corner cut-outs or contoured portions which cover, create or allow clearance for corner ramps commonly used in certain game tables to prevent the game piece from stopping outside the effective playing area. The discussion herein of game table 20 generally applies to hockey game tables and soccer game tables.

[0014] One embodiment of a game table 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Game table 20 is generally a standard style of game table including legs 22 supporting a table bed 26. Table bed 26, shown in FIG. 1 in a generally rectangular shape, is the primary superstructure of game table 20. It should be appreciated that table bed 26 can include various shapes as would generally occur to one skilled in the art, including circular, square, or polygonal as examples. Legs 22 are standard support structures for a table, and may, for example, be four corner legs or one or more central pedestals supporting the table bed 26. In preferred embodiments, table 20 includes a frame 28 mounted to the table bed 26. Frame 28 surrounds and extends above an upper support surface 30 a height sufficient to block escape of a playing piece from the table. The frame can extend up from the table bed and upper support surface a sufficient height as would occur to one skilled in the art, as a design choice for a particular game. Frame 28 forms first and second substantially parallel player sides 60 along a length direction L as well as first and second substantially parallel goal sides 62 along a width direction W. Each goal side includes a goal 42. One or more player sides 60 can also include a means for introducing a game playing piece onto the game playing surface 40. Such a means is illustratively provided by opening 63 located at a point substantially near the middle of a player side 60. Frame 28 can be a standard frame made of metal, wood, laminate, particleboard, MDF or plastic, and can optionally include rubber or felt bumpers as desired.

[0015] Game playing surface 40 is configured to be integral with or mounted to table bed 26 and includes a shape which matches upper support surface 30. In the illustrated embodiment, game playing surface 40 includes a generally rectangular shape. However, it should be appreciated that the game playing surface can have various shapes, including circular, square, or polygonal as examples. Game playing surface 40 extends across the area defined within frame 28 to form a playing area. The game playing surface 40 is mounted to the frame or extends underneath the lower edges of the frame to eliminate gaps. The game playing surface 40 may rest in place or can be attached using standard methods such as adhesive, friction, screws, bolts or other permanent or removable connectors. The game playing surface 40 is appropriately sized and configured for the desired game. Game playing surface 40 is preferably an appropriately shaped piece of material configured to be mounted over upper support surface 30. Preferred materials for the game surface are a durable plastic (such as a thick polyethylene, Plexiglass.RTM., or Formica.RTM.), wood or glass.

[0016] Game table 20 further includes railings 50 as part of or positioned above frame 28. In a preferred embodiment, there are railings 50 disposed on at least two longitudinal sides of table 20, parallel to a longitudinal length L of the table. Near the railings 50 are user handles 52. Each user handle is operably connected to a rod 54. In certain preferred embodiments, handles 52 include a piece of cushioning or gripping material, for example rubber or foam, around an end portion of rod 54. In certain embodiments, handle 52 is composed of a plastic or synthetic material. In this example, the rods have a circular cross-section. Additionally, each rod 54 can carry one or more player member(s) 57. In the illustrated embodiment, each rod 54 nearest a goal 42 carries three players 57. Moving towards the middle of game table 20 from each rod 54 nearest a goal 42, the next rods 54 carry two players 57, the next rods 54 carry three players 57, and the middle rods 54 carry five players 57. It will be understood, however, that a rod 54 can include any number of player members 57 and is not limited to the illustrated embodiments in FIG. 1. Handle 52, rod 54 and player member(s) 57 together form a handle assembly.

[0017] The players 57 can be exchangeable or fixed at pre-selected positions. If exchangeable, a player 57 could be replaced with an alternative player, or an alternative player replaced with a player 57, as desired. An alternative player may include, for example, a player including a head portion and a foot portion as generally known in the art rather than two foot portions.

[0018] The rods 54 preferably carry each player member 57 near the midsection of the player's body. In certain embodiments, all or some of the rods can be arranged in pairs and there can be two adjacent handles on the same side of the table, in certain positions, such as near the goal 42, that the user on a particular side of the table would be defending. In other embodiments, the handles can be on alternating sides of the table or in any other configuration desired. Game table 20 can also include one or more mechanical or electronic indicators. Score indicator 44 is illustratively shown on railing 50 above goal 42, but can be secured to game table 20 at any location. Although not illustrated, game table 20 can further include a game playing piece (e.g., ball) retrieval means. Such a retrieval means can be positioned at any location on game table 20 as generally known to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, a game playing piece retrieval means can be located under each goal 42 for retrieving a game playing piece after a goal is scored.

[0019] In certain preferred embodiments, players 57 are movable along a width of the game table between the player sides along a width direction W. Width direction W is preferably generally perpendicular to longitudinal length L. Handle 52 with rod 54 can be moved away from railing 50, thereby moving the players 57 operably connected to the respective rod 54 along a width of the table. When a rod 54 is extended or retracted, the players 57 are moved widthwise but not lengthwise from one player side 60 toward another player side 60 through channels 58. Generally, channels 58 will be sized slightly larger than a rod 54 such that a rod 54 can be easily moved in a horizontal direction along width direction W but not in a direction along longitudinal length L. However, in certain alternate embodiments, channels 58 can be sized such that each rod 54 is movable in a respective channel 58 to allow for pivoting of the rods and players about a pivot point, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,574, filed Jan. 16, 2007. In such embodiments, the channels may be of varying length along a longitudinal axis L of a game table.

[0020] Referring generally to FIG. 1, the use and operation of the game table 20 is as follows. One or more users of table 20 move players 57 via handles 52 in attempting to place a game piece (not shown) into goal 42. A user rotates handle 52, thereby spinning rod 54 which operates to controllably spin players 57 in a spinning plane substantially perpendicular to game playing surface 40. The spinning of players 57 is driven through the midline in that the rod 54 is disposed at an equal distance from each foot portion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the railings, bar, and players can be supplied separately, for example, in a kit to be retrofit onto an existing table top or smooth surface, eliminating the need to cut openings in the surface. Alternately, a portable frame and railing system can be used, which can be selectively placed on any surface, for example a table or floor, to define a playing area. In some embodiments, the portable system may be placed on or removed from the surface as desired.

[0022] Turning now to FIG. 2, shown is an example player member for use in a game table, such as game table 20. Player 57 preferably includes a first foot portion 32, a second foot portion 34, and a body portion 70 extending longitudinally therebetween such that foot portions 32 and 34 are generally about 180 degrees from one another. Body portion 70 is configured to receive rod 54 generally at its midline R through hole 64 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Player member 57 is held in place to spin with rod 54 for example with a set screw.

[0023] A player member 57 having two foot portions has certain advantages over alternative player members. For example, player member 57 includes a foot portion at each end where each foot portion has a front game piece contacting surface 36 and a rear surface 38 opposite to game piece contacting surface 36.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the front game piece contacting surface 36 of first foot portion 32 and the front game piece contacting surface 36 of second foot portion 34 are arranged such that at most only 180 degrees of spinning is required in order to strike a game playing piece. In certain embodiments, rear surface 38 can also be used to strike a game playing piece. In this regard, any surface 36 or 38 can be configured to strike a game playing piece. It will be understood, however, that when a player member 57 is in a vertical position with respect to a game table, the player member 57 will include at least a first foot portion 32 having a game piece contacting surface 36 facing one goal side 62 and a second foot portion 34 having a game piece contacting surface 36 facing the other goal side 62. Preferably, a game piece contacting surface 36 will have a non-smooth texture to allow for better gripping of a game playing piece.

[0025] With respect to the foot portions 32 and 34 of player member 57, it is desirable for the combined weight of these portions to be heavier than the body portion 70. For example, the weight of player member 57 can be about 0.05 to about 4 ounces. At least about 50% of this weight will be distributed in the foot portions 32 and 34. Preferably, at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, and even at least about 90% of the weight of player member 57 will be distributed in foot portions 32 and 34. In certain embodiments, this can be accomplished by preparing a body portion 70 that includes one or more gaps 62. One or more gaps 62 can be created at any location along the length of body portion 70, including at either or both sides adjacent to a foot portion as shown in FIG. 2. In other embodiments, body portion 70 can be constructed of a lighter material or can be less dense as compared to the foot portions 32 and 34. For example, player member 57 can have an overall density of about 0.01 to about 1 lb/in.sup.3. The density of the foot portions 32 and 34 can be at least about twice as dense as the body portion 70. Preferably, the density of the foot portions 32 and 34 can be at least about 2.5 times, 3 times, 3.5 times, or even 4 times the density of the body portion 70.

[0026] Player members 57 can be constructed of any suitable material. Suitable materials are typically hard and include, for example, metal or plastic (e.g., Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic). The type of material chosen can be selected so as to dictate the speed at which a game is played. Generally, the harder the material selected to construct a player member 57 the faster a game will be played (i.e., the faster a game playing piece will move throughout a game playing surface once struck by a player member). The foot portions and body portion can be constructed of the same or different material.

[0027] In preferred embodiments, a player member 57 is formed from a mold as a balanced, single piece; however, a player member 57 can be constructed as more than one piece and subsequently assembled. Body portion 70 can also include a ball channel 72 to allow for aerial shots involving a game playing piece, if desired. Such a channel can be formed as part of the mold used to make a player member 57 or can be added to a player member 57 after player member 57 has been constructed. In one embodiment, ball channel 72 is defined by a gap 62. Similarly, the non-smooth texture of a contacting surface 36 of player member 57 can be formed as part of a mold or can be added to a contacting surface 36 once a player member 57 is formed. In embodiments where a player member is formed from a mold, it is typically done so with ABS plastic using an injection molding process as generally known in the art.

[0028] Certain shots can be performed by a present player member by virtue of the player member only requiring 180 degrees of rotation in order to contact a game playing piece. For example, the "Air Slam" can be performed by moving a game playing piece into a ball channel 72 of a first foot portion 32 of a player member 57. The rod 54 carrying the player member 57 can then be rotated quickly in a counterclockwise direction such that the game playing piece drops from the channel 72 of the first foot portion 32 and is hit by a surface 38 of a second foot portion 34 before the game playing piece comes into contact with the game playing surface 40. Another shot that can be performed by the present player member is the "Power Slam." Such a shot involves pinning a game playing piece between a surface 36 of a first foot portion 32 of a player member 57 and the game playing surface 40. The rod 54 carrying the player member 57 is rotated quickly in a counterclockwise direction such that the game playing piece is contacted by surface 38 of a second foot portion 34. A "Power Back" shot can be performed by contacting a game playing piece in a clockwise direction with the surface 36 of a first foot portion 32 of a player member 57. The rod 54 carrying the player member 57 is rotated quickly in a counterclockwise direction such that the game playing piece is contacted by surface 38 of a second foot portion 34. In another embodiment, a "Pull Slap" can be performed by moving a rod 54 carrying a player member 57 widthwise to contact a game playing piece with the adjacent side of surface 38 of a first foot portion 32 of the player member 57. The rod 54 is then rotated quickly in a counterclockwise direction so that the moving game playing piece is contacted by surface 38 of the second foot portion 34.

[0029] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A game table, comprising: a game table including first and second substantially parallel player sides along a length direction, first and second substantially parallel goal sides along a width direction and a game playing surface defined within said player sides and said goal sides, wherein each of said goal sides includes a goal; and at least one handle assembly connected to said first player side of said game table and extending to said second player side, wherein said handle assembly includes at least one rod carrying at least one player member for striking a game playing piece, wherein said handle assembly further includes a handle engaged with said rod whereby turning said handle operates to spin said player member; and wherein said player member includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body portion extending longitudinally therebetween; wherein the combined weight of said first foot portion and said second foot portion is at least about 60% of the overall weight of the player member.

2. The game table of claim 1, wherein the combined weight of said first foot portion and said second foot portion is at least about 70% of the overall weight of the player member.

3. The game table of claim 2, wherein the body portion defines at least one gap.

4. The game table of claim 1, wherein said body portion of said player member is engaged with said rod, and wherein said handle assembly is configured to translate said player member along the width direction above said game playing surface by moving said handle toward and away from said player side.

5. The game table of claim 1, wherein said first foot portion and said second foot portion include at least one contacting surface for striking a game playing piece.

6. The game table of claim 5, wherein the at least one contacting surface of the first foot portion and the second foot portion comprises a non-smooth texture.

7. The game table of claim 1, wherein said player member comprises a ball channel to allow for aerial shots of a game playing piece.

8. A game table, comprising: a game table including first and second substantially parallel player sides, first and second substantially parallel goal sides and a game playing surface, said player sides extending along a length of said table and said goal sides extending along a width of said table, wherein each of said goal sides defines a goal; and at least two handle assemblies including a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly, wherein each of said handle assemblies is connected to said game table, each of said handle assemblies including a handle, at least one rod extending along a rod axis and engaged with said handle, and at least one player member positioned on said rod, wherein said player member is configured to spin with said rod about said rod axis to strike a playing piece and urge the playing piece towards a goal; wherein said first handle assembly is connected to said first player side and extends though and beyond said second player side, wherein said second handle assembly is connected to said second player side and extends through and beyond said first player side, wherein each of said handle assemblies is configured to move from said first player side toward said second player side above said game playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to said game playing surface; wherein each of said handle assemblies is configured to translate said corresponding player member across the width of said table above said game playing surface by moving said handle toward and away from a player side; and wherein the at least one player member of each handle assembly includes a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body portion extending longitudinally therebetween; wherein said first foot portion includes a front game piece contacting surface facing said first goal side and said second foot portion has a front game piece contacting surface facing said second goal side when the player member is in a vertical position with respect to the game table.

9. The game table of claim 8, wherein the combined weight of said first foot portion and said second foot portion is at least about 60% of the overall weight of the player member.

10. The game table of claim 9, wherein the body portion defines at least one gap.

11. The game table of claim 8, wherein said body portion of said player member is engaged with said rod, and wherein said handle assembly is configured to translate said player member along the width direction above said game playing surface by moving said handle toward and away from said player side.

12. The game table of claim 8, wherein said first foot portion and said second foot portion each include a rear contacting surface opposite to the front game piece contacting surface for striking a game playing piece.

13. The game table of claim 12, wherein the front name piece contacting surface of each of the first foot portion and the second foot portion comprises a non-smooth texture.

14. The game table of claim 8, wherein said playing member comprises a ball channel to allow for aerial shots of a game playing piece.

15. A player member for use with a game table having a game playing surface, comprising: a first foot portion, a second foot portion, and a body portion extending longitudinally therebetween; wherein the combined weight of said first foot portion and said second foot portion is at least about 60% of the overall weight of the player member.

16. The player member of claim 15, wherein said first foot portion and said second foot portion include a contacting surface having a non-smooth texture.

17. The player member of claim 15, wherein said member comprises a ball channel to allow for aerial shots of a game playing piece.

18. The player member of claim 15, wherein said member is molded as a balanced, single piece.

19. The player member of claim 15, wherein the body portion defines at least one gap.

20. The player member of claim 19, wherein the body defines a gap adjacent said first foot portion and a gap adjacent said second foot portion.