US20060063617A1

US20060063617A1 - Method and system for playing a table game

Info

Publication number: US20060063617A1
Application number: US11/194,731
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Gast
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-09
Filing date: 2005-08-02
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: CA2514391A1; CA2514251A1; US20060073921A1

Abstract

A method and apparatus for playing a game similar to ping-pong where a ball is bounced from one table surface to another table surface that is distinctly separated from the first. The distance between the table surfaces may be increased to increase the difficulty of the game. This may occur in between games, or progressively during a game. The table surfaces are preferably round and may be supported by unitary posts ballasted by weight or screwed into the ground.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/608,165 filed Sep. 9, 2004 (09/09/2004).

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of playing a table game, in particular to the field of playing a game by striking a ball off of a table surface to another, as in table tennis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Table tennis, also known as “ping pong”, is a game that is very well known, involving using a paddle to strike a ball from one side of a table to the other. The table is divided into two sides by a net passing across the middle of the table. It can be played with two players, or as a team game with up to four total players.
Different shapes and designs of tables have been proposed to increase difficulty. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,156 to Pugsley the net has been removed completely and the table surface has been split into two sections, each of a rounded, triangular shape. The surfaces remain joined to each other by a connecting device attached to a leg from each table surface and so are not fully disconnected. The game is played across a gap present between the two joined table portions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,619 to Cooper depicts a rectangular playing table surface having two portions joined by bridge members and-provided with elevation means within the legs so that these two playing surfaces may be angled slightly upwards towards each other forming a shallow “V” formation. No playing surface is present between these two portions where the bridging members extend.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,022 to Maggio depicts a rectangular playing table surface divided into two portions joined by bridge members and having a soft sponge or net present between the two separated portions. This provides a region between the two table portions which is not playable.
There still remains a need to further increase the difficulty and challenge of the typical table tennis game. This invention addresses that need.
The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims, which conclude this Specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The “Island Pong”-™ game of the invention provides a new experience in the field of table tennis. The game-playing surface comprises at least two portions, preferably circular, which are respectively mounted on independent supports that allow the playing surfaces to be separated from each other. Such playing surfaces may be fully disconnected from each other. Further, such playing surfaces may or may not lie in a common plane. This provides a number of consequences.
No net is required to divide the table playing surface portions; the gap separating the respective perimeters of the table surface portions defines a no-play zone in a manner similar to a net. The ability to separate the playing surfaces introduces a new challenge to the game. Increased separation reduces the effective target area, while providing more time for players to respond that while the ball is in transit. Being circular, the remote, central, a outer edges of the playing surfaces become more prominent as targeted areas because hits so-directed provide a lengthened target area that is more tolerant of accuracy errors. Eventually, at substantial separations, transit time delays become more nearly akin to those occurring in tennis, changing the dynamic of the game. In these respects, a playing experience distinctly different from that of traditional “Ping-Pong” is created.
An additional convenience is created through the use of two circular playing surface portions of identical diameters. Such portions may be moved and stored individually more conveniently than a single, monolithic, table surface portion. Being circular, they it may also be moved and stored more conveniently than table surface portions in the form of a regular or polygonal surface. By reason of their circular dimensions, such surfaces may be conveyed by rolling them on their circumferential edges.
According to one variant, the outer perimeters of the respective table surfaces may be placed approximately contiguously to each other, separated by a moderate gap, in order to allow the players to commence to play a game of table tennis. The table surfaces together with their supports may then be further separated to permit the game to be played with a larger gap present between the playing surfaces, and the process repeated. This separation may be adjusted during or between the playing of a game and may preferably be enlarged to provide a gap between the playing surfaces which is equal to, twice, three times or more in size than the width of an individual circular playing surface portions. For the purposes of creating a separation between the table playing surfaces, no interconnection need be present between such playing surfaces other than through the floor or ground surface upon which they rest.
By reason of the absence of an interconnection between the playing surfaces, it becomes possible to play the game with an intervening obstacle present in the gap separating the playing surfaces. Thus, when played indoors, a piece of furniture may be present in such gap. Preferably, such an obstacle would not protrude significantly above the plane within which either of the separated playing surfaces lie. This allows the playing tables to be set up in rooms that otherwise would not be large enough to accommodate a traditional Ping-Pong table.
The playing surface portions may be supported in various manners. This can include three or more individual legs, a pedestal, or even an available support surface such as a piece of furniture. Embodiments which include legs may include means whereby each leg is foldable into a compact position against the underside of the playing surface.
Another embodiment of the game system may rely on support means in the form of a pair of posts, either to be inserted into a weighted base, or with a threaded base end to be screwed into the ground. The playing surfaces are then respectably mounted on the top of each post.
In use, according to one embodiment, the invention addresses a method for playing a game comprising the steps of providing at least a pair of players each with a paddle for striking a ball, providing at least two tables that are disconnected from each other each having a playing surface, positioning such surfaces a predetermined distance apart which distance is at least greater than 12 inches, more preferably the width of each table surface portion, whereby the players may engage in playing a game of table tennis using their respective paddles to strike the ball towards the opposite player's table playing surface. Optionally, each player may be replaced by a team consisting of multiple players for each side of the table.
In a further embodiment, as indicated above, the method of the invention may further comprise the step of increasing the difficulty of the game by increasing the distance of separation between the tables. This may occur either in distinct stages between games, or while the game is in progress.
The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game system based on the use of two tables.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a table having singular leg in the form of a support post with a base end shaped to screw into the ground,
FIG. 2A is a side view of a table having singular leg in the form of a support post with a base end shaped to engage with a weighted base similar to a patio table.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game system based upon the use of two tables erected with an intervening object present between the two tables.
FIG. 4 is a top view of one of the tables.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a table from FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the table from FIG. 5 with the legs folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the game system for the preferred embodiment of the invention. The apparatus for playing the game is preferably composed of a pair of tables 12, a ball 14, and two paddles 16. As shown in FIG. 1, when playing a two-player game, only two paddles 16 are required, but for a team game with four players, a paddle 16 is used for each person playing. The tables 12 are separated from each other with no net being present.
The game may also be played with an intervening object, such as a sofa 13, present between the two tables 12 as in FIG. 3. Preferably, no intervening object should protrude between the two tables 12 above the levels of the playing surfaces 20.
Each table 12 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 comprises a playing surface 20. A typical diameter for a circular playing surface would be 48 inches at an adjustable height above the ground, preferably 30 inches. The tables 12 as depicted each include their own support means, shown in the preferred embodiment as three legs 18. More than three legs 18 can be used, or a singular leg in the form of a support post 19, with either a base end 15 shaped to screw into the ground 16, FIG. 2, or shaped to engage with a weighted base 17 similar to a patio table, FIG. 2A, in order to keep the table 12 stabilized. Yet another option would be to use a separate, pre-existing table as support means and merely rest the playing surface 20 upon it.
FIG. 6 depicts the legs 18 folded against the underside surface of the tabletop 20. This allows for the legs 18 to be folded along the underside of the playing surface 20 so the table 12 can be easily moved to a new location.
In use, the tables 12 are positioned a set distance apart, preferably at the commencement of the game by a minimum of typically around half a table diameter, e.g. 2 feet of separation, or further if desired, although a shorter intervening gap may be employed initially. As the players grow more skilled and wish to increase the difficulty of the game, the tables 12 may be separated even further, either between games, or progressively during the course of a game. With the tables 12 separated 8 or 10 or 12 feet apart or more, for example, the time that the ball 14 is in the air is increased, allowing for more time to set up a return shot.
Conclusion
It is understood that suitable modifications and equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects is further described and defined in the claims, which now follow.
These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention that have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.

Claims

1. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of:

a) selecting at least a pair of players and providing each player with a playing paddle;

b) providing at least two table playing surfaces that are disconnected from each other and positioning such surfaces on supports so that such surfaces are a predetermined distance apart, the playing surfaces each having an inner edge portion that is opposed to the inner edge portion of the other table surface and each having an outer edge portion that is remote from the outer edge portion of the other table surface; and

c) positioning the respective players using a paddle to strike a ball towards the opposite players table surface,

whereby a gap exists between the two disconnected playing surfaces and the players engage in playing the game by causing the ball to pass back and forth over the gap.

2. The method for playing a game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of increasing the difficulty of playing the game by increasing the distance between the table playing surfaces progressively during play.

3. The method for playing a game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of increasing the difficulty of playing the game by increasing the distance between the table playing surfaces between each game.

4. The method for playing a game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a piece of furniture between the respective table playing surfaces.

5. The method for playing a game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the playing surfaces are circular.

6. A game apparatus for use by players a ball and paddle comprising at least two separated table playing surfaces and a support means, each table playing surface being disposable in a generally horizontal plane with a gap in present their-between, wherein the table playing surfaces are disconnected from each other so that they can be further separated from each other by a chosen distance to permit players to engage in playing the game by causing the ball to pass back and forth over the gap.

7. The game apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the support means for each table playing surface includes a singular post inserted into a weighted base.

8. The game apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the support means for each table playing surface includes a singular post with a threaded base end to screw into the ground.

9. A game apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said table playing surfaces are circular in shape, each having circular perimeters.

10. A game apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said table playing surfaces are circular in shape, each having circular perimeters.

11. A game apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said table playing surfaces are circular in shape, each having circular perimeters.