CN1964765B - Improved multi-level table game apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved multi-level game table (100) and method of playing a three-dimensional game, such as billiards, wherein the improvement (136) includes changes in the upper levels of the game pieces without the use of moving parts. Further improvements to the game surface and game piece controls are also taught, so that any game play can be improved and the skills and game play of the challenged players can be enhanced.

Description

Improved multi-level table game device and method

related application

This application claims priority to US Provisional Application 60/583,194, filed June 25, 2004 by the same inventors and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background technique

The present invention relates to an improved multilevel table game apparatus and method for use in games such as table games such as pool. Several forms of such devices and methods are disclosed in US Patent 6,712,710. The apparatus shown in U.S. Patent 6,712,710 is a multi-level game for billiards having two or more generally horizontal playing pieces supporting a playing surface or levels supported in stacked relation, spaced far enough apart from each other to A player is allowed access to the lower surface to impart motion to the game pieces along the surface. Each surface may have one or more piece receiving pockets. Ducts extend between the bags at adjacent surfaces to provide a path between such adjacent surfaces. In one version of the device having three or more playing surfaces, a conduit connecting the bag at the middle playing surface provides a path up and down from that middle surface. These conduits include guide plates that interact with pieces entering pockets aligned with these conduits to direct the pieces to a higher surface or a lower surface, depending on, among other things, the velocity of the pieces. The device disclosed in US Patent 6,712,710 provides a baffle or so-called "shooter": a moving part operable to assist the raising or lowering of the billiard ball from one playing level to another. This baffle is placed in the duct that connects the playing surface. It would be desirable for such a gaming table to preserve the multi-level play operation while eliminating the need for moving parts.

Contents of the invention

Broadly speaking, the apparatus shown here is a modified multi-stage game for billiards or similar games having two or more generally horizontal game pieces supporting a playing surface or stages supported in stacked relation, which are spaced far enough from each other to allow a player access to the lower surface to impart motion to the game pieces along said surface. Each surface may have one or more piece receiving pockets. Ducts extend between the bags at adjacent surfaces to provide a path between such adjacent surfaces. In one version of the device having three or more playing surfaces, a conduit connecting the bag at the middle playing surface provides a path up and down from that middle surface. These conduits include guide plates that interact with pieces entering pockets aligned with these conduits to direct the pieces to a higher surface or a lower surface, depending on, among other things, the velocity of the pieces.

The devices and methods shown below include various variations or modifications of the devices and methods disclosed in US Patent 6,712,710. Firstly, the shape of the duct is one in a range of curvilinear shapes, and at most generally helical. The duct back wall is shaped first as a sharply curved lower portion, then as a shallowly curved upper portion, both saving space and providing better upward acceleration of the game piece without the use of moving parts. Furthermore, the inclusion of transition ramps in the curvilinear duct shape also eliminates the need for any moving parts to enable level transitions. Using the improved pipeline presented here, game piece acceleration paddles or shoot pads are no longer required in the intermediate stages.

The configuration, size and shape of the pipes have also been improved to enhance performance. The rear wall of each such duct is widened to maximize the allowable firing angle of the game piece. The sides of the duct back wall are sloped about 15° in each direction, so game pieces that are 15° or less off the side hit the back wall directly and are more likely to go up into the next higher level. Said another way, the back of the pipe is designed such that the 15 degree off-center hit can present a tangential impact on the back wall of the pipe.

On the playing surface, an accelerator pad is provided at the pocket on the surface surrounding the pocket. Accelerator plates are made of smooth, low-friction materials such as plastic, metal, and the like. Each plate is slightly sloped (in the range of approximately +3 to -3 degrees) towards the associated pocket. In a preferred embodiment for the game of pool, a positive angle of about 1 degree is used when the player is attempting a moderately challenging game. Negative angles change the game because game pieces tend to change levels more easily. A positive angle of about 1 degree dampens movement, thus preventing balls or other game pieces from spontaneously entering the pockets due to extraneous motion such as vibrations of the table as a whole. Furthermore, the stated angle of 1 degree provides a slight slope which has the effect of assisting upward stage shifting. The opening mouth of each accelerator board enclosure bag. Additionally, the accelerator pad may have a slightly conical shape that tends to direct the game piece into the central area of the associated pocket. The angled and slightly conical shape of the accelerator pad combines with the smooth surface of the accelerator pad (as opposed to the higher friction surface of the rest of the playing surface which may be covered with felt or similar material) to guide the game pieces and make the game easier to play. Game pieces are accelerated when the pieces reach the accelerator pad moving towards the associated pocket. This increase in acceleration improves the ability of the game piece to move up rather than down when entering the pocket at the intermediate surface at a higher speed. In the event that the player hits the game piece more softly, the game piece moves down the pipe. The overall effect is to create a gaming device that improves and develops the skill of the player.

Further improvements include providing an overhang of the duct at the pocket; the upper region of this duct extends towards the adjacent playing surface to better control the game pieces and prevent them from flying up and off the table. The duct overhang at a level other than the highest or lowest level also includes an add-on guide extending downwardly from the overhang towards the playing surface, the add-on guide being operable to guide the playing piece.

The area immediately adjacent to the bag is also improved by adding a "guide" area: the guide area is provided by an extended plastic (etc.) part at the edge of the bag. The guide area extends at approximately 45 degrees from the playing surface, has a width of approximately 3/4 inch and slopes downward toward the opening of the hole. The guide area assists in guiding the bounce of the game piece as it descends from the game piece guide in the duct wall, and specifically reduces the ability of the game piece to fall from the highest to the lowest game level of a multi-level game without falling in between Possibility of exiting at the level. With the help of the guide area, the corner of the table where the hole is located is located approximately 0.1" below the raised bump on the game piece guide. After the game piece is lowered into the pocket area without touching the bump on the game piece guide When starting, the approximately 45-degree low deflector area assists in causing the game piece to bounce back up onto the nearest playing surface rather than hitting the unbeveled playing surface edge and deflecting in such a way that it can continue to fall to a lower level.

Improvements to the playing surface include a reversible design - the playing surface itself can be turned over so that the top becomes the bottom and the bottom becomes the playing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface comprises a honeycomb design which provides structural integrity to the playing surface in addition to providing a surface on which the playing pieces can rest. In another embodiment, the playing surface may be modified by an insertable thin layer of low friction material that fits flush against and covers some or all of the playing surface. Such insertable sheets alter the surface properties, allowing games such as hockey to be played and the use of game pieces having shapes other than substantially spherical.

Further improvements include the use of rods or other devices to impart motion to the game pieces, wherein such rods are greater than thirty (thirty) inches in length.

Also offered is tool-free assembly and disassembly of the gaming table. Molded mating locating pins and receiving areas with snap connectors allow for a snap fit under guiding pressure of the human hand.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a three-stage table game apparatus showing a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side sectional view of the device of Figure 1 showing the movement of the ball from a higher level to a lower level.

Figure 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the device of Figure 1 showing the movement of the ball from a lower level to a higher level.

Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing movement of the ball from the highest level to the lower level.

Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing the ball going from the upper stage to the lower stage.

Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing the movement of the ball from the intermediate stage to the lower stage.

Figure 7 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view of the ball going from a higher stage to a lower stage.

Figure 8 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing the ball leaving the lowest level and moving down towards the reservoir.

Figure 9 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing the ball leaving the lower section and moving towards the upper section.

Figure 10 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing movement of the ball from the lower stage upwardly towards the intermediate stage.

Figure 11 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing the movement of the ball away from the intermediate stage and up towards the higher stage.

Figure 12 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing movement of the ball upwardly towards a higher stage.

Figure 13 shows a schematic side sectional view of the bag and the piping connecting the lower, intermediate and higher stages.

Figure 14 is a schematic partial top view showing a bag and associated tubing with a widened acceptance angle.

FIG. 15 is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 13 .

Figure 16 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the bag and tubing for housing the lower, intermediate and upper level surfaces.

Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view similar to Figure 1 but with two instead of three competition levels.

Fig. 18 is a schematic plan view of a club, a cue ball and a set of game balls.

Figure 20 is a schematic perspective view of a playing surface with accelerator pads on each corner pocket.

Figure 21 is a perspective plan view of one of the accelerator boards.

Figure 22 is a side view of one of the accelerator boards.

Figure 23 is a schematic perspective view of an improved apparatus in which the playing surface is reversible to provide multiple surfaces for playing additional types of games.

24, 25 and 26 are perspective views of the ball guide.

Figure 27 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the device at the bag.

Figure 28 shows the preferred embodiment in an unassembled condition.

Figure 29 shows a movable plate, here named a game piece guide in the inner duct surface.

Figure 30 shows the toolless connection feature of the table and pipe.

Detailed ways

Figures 1-16, 18, 20-22 and 24-28 show a presently preferred three-level embodiment of the invention. The table game described is pool, although other games involving movable game pieces are also contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. Air hockey is an optional example that requires a low surface friction insert cut from smooth plastic or cardboard/chipboard to match the playing surface. A presently preferred embodiment includes one or more reversible play surfaces, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 28 .

Where the table game being played is billiards, the game pieces (referred to herein as "game pieces" or "game pieces") are correspondingly generally spherical (herein referred to as "balls"). The player hits the game ball with a device such as a cue stick and cue ball so that the game ball enters the pocket (game piece receiving area) at the corner of the playing surface. The bags aligned at each corner are connected to each other by generally upstanding conduits 136 . A conduit 136 between the pockets of the highest and intermediate stages allows the ball to move from the higher stages down towards the intermediate stages and from the intermediate stages up towards the top stage. A conduit between the intermediate and lower stage pockets allows the ball to move between the lower and intermediate stages in either direction. It should be noted that all bags at the intermediate stages are connected to pipes running up to the highest stage and to pipes running down to the lowest stage. A ball or other game piece entering such a pocket from an intermediate stage can optionally move up or down due to the velocity applied to that ball. If the ball moves slowly enough, it goes down to the lowest level. If the ball has enough speed, it will move up to the highest level. The same is true for the lowest level, where high speed balls are able to travel upwards, while low speed balls will travel down from the bag towards the reservoir or collector.

Figure 2 shows the ball moving down, while Figure 3 shows the ball moving up. 4 to 12 are enlarged views more particularly showing the movement of the ball on various paths to and from the pocket.

FIGS. 20 to 22 show in particular the accelerator plate 140 provided in front of each corner pocket of the surface 34 . As mentioned above, the accelerator plate has a smooth low friction upper surface; when the ball leaves the major portion of the playing surface 34 covered with a higher friction material, such as felt, and reaches the low friction accelerator plate, the ball will tend to accelerate towards the pocket. In addition, each accelerator plate is slightly sloped upward toward its associated pocket, which also tends to further control the motion of the ball, prevent unintentional roll towards the pocket, and aid in "climbing slopes" to aid movement toward higher playing surfaces. The accelerator plate may also be slightly conical or grooved to tend to direct the slow moving ball towards the center of the pocket.

As shown in Figures 27 and 20, the director region 150 is adjacent the bag edge or spout on one side and the accelerator plate on the other side. The guide area 150 has an extended plastic (etc.) portion at the edge of the bag. The guide area extends at approximately 45 degrees from the playing surface, has a width of approximately 3/4 inch and slopes downward toward the opening of the hole. The guide area assists in guiding the bounce of the game piece 110 as the piece descends from the game piece guide 148 in the duct wall, and specifically reduces the ability of the game piece to fall from the highest to the lowest playing level of a multi-level game without falling in between. Possibility of leaving at the level. With the help of the guide area 150, the corner of the table where the pocket hole is located is located approximately 0.1" below the transition ramp 152. When the game piece is lowered into the pocket area without contacting the transition ramp 152, the guide area is approximately 45 degrees lower. 150 assists in causing the game piece 110 to bounce upwards back onto the nearest playing surface rather than hitting the edge of the unbeveled playing surface and deflecting in such a way that it can continue falling to a lower level.

Figures 13 and 16 better show the shape of the ducts 136 when viewed from the side; the lower portion 132 of each duct is generally curved, then bends around a relatively small radius to form a relatively sharp bend, and then the upper portion 134 curves around a larger The radius bends to form a relatively shallow bend leading to the immediately higher race level. This configuration of ducts facilitates the upward movement of rapidly propelled balls from the lower surface to the adjacent higher surface. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit geometry is substantially helical, although other modified helical or curvilinear shapes may also be used. Additionally, the inclusion of transition ramps 152 in the curved or helical tube shape eliminates the need for moving parts to enable a controllable transition of game pieces between game levels.

Also as best shown in Figures 13 and 16, a lip or retainer or overhang 146 is provided to overhang in front of the entrance of each pocket. The length of the overhang 146 ranges from about 0.5 to 2 inches. In particular, the overhang is placed to prevent excessive upward movement of the ball that could cause the ball to leave the playing surface when the ball is pushed up rapidly and out of the bag onto the playing surface. Figures 10 and 12 show this in particular. In a preferred embodiment, the underside of the intermediate stage overhand has one or more ribs 145 (see Figure 10). The ribs form a pattern of raised bumps (approximately 0.08 inches in height) that provide ball guidance and control.

Figure 14 shows in particular the shape of the duct when viewed from the top (cross-sectional view through the top of A-A in Figure 15). The side walls extend outwardly at a slight angle from the bag opening towards the rear wall of the associated conduit. The rear wall of the duct is wider than the opening of the bag. The side walls flare at an angle of approximately 15° in the preferred embodiment, although the angle can be increased to approximately 30°, depending on the desired play action. This preferred embodiment allows the ball to pass through the bag opening at an angle of about 15° or less to one side or the other, avoiding contact with the side walls and making direct initial contact with the back wall. This provides the greatest conservation of energy required for the ball to reach the immediately adjacent higher level.

FIG. 29 shows a preferred embodiment of the game piece guide 148 , which is an inner curved movable plastic portion that snaps onto the upper portion 134 of the duct 136 . The game piece guide 148 assists in guiding the ball or other game piece 110 to the center of the curved back, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 (alternative embodiment of the game piece guide 148b), thus reducing bounce to the bottom and facilitates the game piece path to follow the bends of the pipe smoothly. The moveable aspect and selected shape of the game piece guide 148 allows for nested coupling of unassembled pipes 136, as shown in FIG. 28 . Additional ball guide structure (game piece guide 149) is shown in Figures 24, 25 and 26.

As can be readily seen from Figures 16, 29 and 30, the game table of the present invention allows for "tool-less" construction, with attachable alignment and structural fixation elements. FIG. 29 shows an enlarged view of the positioning pin 138 and the receiving slot for said pin 138b is shown in FIG. 27 . Another configuration that can be tool-less is the snap-fit connection 154 also shown in FIGS. 15 and 29 .

Figure 17 shows a two-stage type 101 . Due to the modularity of the pipe structure, the number of stages can be increased or adjusted to any desired racing environment.

Furthermore, eg scalability down to miniature size is also inherent in the design.

Such different dimensions may include all or any combination of structures taught herein. While the hand or any device can be used to impart motion to the game pieces, Figure 18 shows a pole that could be used for billiards. The pole can be increased in size yet still be portable due to the two attachable parts. The preferred embodiment includes a 36 inch length rod assembled from two parts. A preferred embodiment includes a pool cue as the shaft, and includes a pool ball as the playing piece. Spherical game pieces can range in size from as large as a full-sized billiard ball (2.25 inch diameter) to as small as a ball bearing (on the order of 0.375 inch diameter), with the preferred size being about 1.5 inch diameter in a preferred embodiment. The material of the game piece can be resin, rubber, plastic, glass, foam or even wood or metal if desired. The playing piece may be disc-shaped, such as may be used for table hockey, or any other chosen shape suggested by the desired game play.

The playing surface itself is variably varied. The playing surface itself can be flipped 102 (see Fig. 23) so that the top becomes the bottom and the bottom becomes the playing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface comprises a honeycomb design which provides structural integrity to the playing surface in addition to providing a surface on which the playing pieces can be placed. In another embodiment, the playing surface may be modified by an insertable thin layer of low friction material that fits flush against and covers some or all of the playing surface. Such insertable sheets alter the surface properties, allowing games such as hockey to be played and the use of game pieces having shapes other than the substantially spherical shape. Additionally, the size of the gaming table can be scaled from a small travel size to a larger size that is not intended to be portable. Additionally, the gaming table can be of modular construction, allowing the user to add or subtract tiers as desired.

Claims (13)

1. An improved multi-level game apparatus for playing with a plurality of movable pieces, said game apparatus having: a plurality of generally level play surfaces each having a raised border and at least one piece a receiving structure; a support structure, which holds said surfaces in a generally stacked relation to each other, with sufficient space between adjacent surfaces for a player to approach the lower surface of these adjacent surfaces; and at least one conduit, which is connected to The piece-receiving formations of each adjacent pair of said surfaces and extending between said piece-receiving formations to provide a path for movement of a moving piece between said pair of surfaces, said improvements comprising: an accelerator plate enclosing the piece receiving structure, the material of which plate has a degree of friction lower than that of the playing surface, and the plate is arranged at a positive angle relative to the playing surface; and The pipe is helical. 2. The improved multi-level game set forth in claim 1, wherein said piece receiving structure is a pocket. 3. The improved multi-stage game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said duct is helically shaped and includes a transition ramp such that the shape is sufficient to allow upward movement of the game pieces without requiring additional moving parts . 4. The improved multi-level game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conduit includes a transition ramp. 5. The improved multi-level game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conduit includes overhangs for assisting in controlling game pieces. 6. The improved multi-level game set forth in claim 5, wherein said overhang includes downwardly projecting ribs for assisting in control of the game piece. 7. The improved multi-stage gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pipeline comprises: A feature operable to guide the game piece, the feature including one or more of the following: game piece guides on the inner surface of the conduit, the conduit being helical; a generally vertical game piece guide located on a wall of the game piece guide; and Downward sloping deflector area between accelerator plate and pocket edge. 8. The improved multi-level game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a spherical movable game piece. 9. The improved multi-level game apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a lever for imparting motion to said game pieces. 10. The improved multi-level game apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rods are greater than 30 inches in length. 11. The improved multi-level game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a disc-shaped movable game piece. 12. The improved multi-level gaming apparatus of claim 1 wherein said playing surface is reversible. 13. The improved multi-level play apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conduit and play surface include molded mateable areas whereby assembly and disassembly may be performed using human hands.

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