Game table

Abstract

A table is disclosed having a table top and legs to support the table top. The table top can be constructed from blow-molded plastic having an upper surface and a spaced apart lower surface. The upper surface can have features formed therein including, but not limited to, a central portion and a boundary portion. The boundary portion can include various retaining regions for holding game pieces, beverages, and the like. The lower surface can include a plurality of depressions formed therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 175,753, filed Feb. 10, 2003, and entitled GAME TABLE, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to tables and, in particular, to a light-weight game table with a blow-molded plastic table top. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Conventional tables typically include one or more legs that are connected to a table top. The legs may be pivotally connected to the table top and the table top may be constructed from materials such as metal or wood. In particular, conventional table tops may be constructed from materials such as steel, aluminum, particle board, plywood, and other suitable types of wooden laminates. Table tops constructed from wood or metal, however, are often relatively heavy and this may make the table awkward or diff...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Another aspect is the game table may be relatively small and lightweight, which may allow the table to be easily moved and transported. The game table may also be sized and configured so that it does not take up unnecessary space or provide a large amount of unused space when playing a game. The game table, however, preferably provides ample space for one or more persons to play a game.

[0014] Yet another aspect is the game table may include a table top that is constructed from a lightweight material so that the table is easily portable and can be readily lifted and moved by a single person. Desirably, the table top is constructed from plastic, such as high density polyethylene. The table top is desirably constructed by blow-molding, but other suitable processes such as injection molding or compression molding may also be used to construct the table top. The plastic table top is desirably designed to create rigid, high-strength structures that are capable of withstanding repeated use and wear. Advantageously, the plastic table top can easily be manufactured and formed into the desired size and shape. In addition, the plastic table top can form a structural component of the table to minimize the number of components required to construct the table. Thus, frames, braces or other support members are not required to support the table top, but these types of devices or structures could be used if desired.

[0015] Still another aspect is the game table may include a blow-molded plastic table top with one or more features formed in the blow-molded table top. Advantageously, these features may be integrally formed in the table top during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure. These features may include, but are not limited to, a central portion formed on the upper surface of the table top that may be sized and configured to support, for example, a game board or cards. The table top may also include a boundary portion that at least partially surrounds the central portion of the table top for retaining playing pieces or cards in the central portion. In addition, the table top may include one or more retaining regions formed in or near the edge or boundary of the table top for holding items such as, but not limited to, beverage containers, game pieces, chips and the like. Additionally, one or more walls and / or channels can be formed about the central portion to prevent items, such as game pieces or chips, from falling off of the table.

[0016] Advantageously, the game table may be relatively simple to manufacture because it preferably consists of a table top constructed from blow-molded plastic. The blow-molded plastic table top may include two opposing walls that are spaced apart by a relatively small distance, which may increase the strength and rigidity of the table top. The blow-molded plastic table top may also include one or more depressions or tack-offs to further increase the strength of the table top and / or interconnect the spaced apart walls. Significantly, the blow-molded table top may be lightweight, rigid, durable, weather resistant and generally temperature insensitive. In addition, the blow-molded plastic table top may not corrode, rust or otherwise deteriorate over time. Further, the blow-molded table top can also be formed in various shapes, sizes, configurations and designs.

[0018] A still further aspect is the game table may be quickly and easily assembled, which may reduce manufacturing and labor costs. For example, the game table may include four legs and once the legs are attached to the table top, the game table may be completely assembled. Thus, no manufacturing steps other than attaching the legs to the table top may be required. Significantly, because various features may be integrally formed in the table top, the manufacturing and assembly of the game table may be very fast and efficient.

Problems solved by technology

Table tops constructed from wood or metal, however, are often relatively heavy and this may make the table awkward or difficult to move.

Conventional table tops constructed from wood or metal are also relatively expensive and the table tops must generally be treated or finished before use.

In addition, metal or wooden table tops often require a canvas or vinyl cover, which undesirably increases the costs of the table.

Further, because these conventional table tops are relatively heavy, transportation and shipping costs are generally increased.

Disadvantageously, these lightweight table tops frequently require reinforcing members or other structural parts such as brackets, support members and the like to strengthen the table top.

While these additional parts may increase the strength of the table top, they undesirably increase the weight of the table.

In addition, these additional parts increase manufacturing costs and require additional time to assemble the table.

Furthermore, these additional parts may have sharp edges that can injure a user's arms or legs.

Disadvantageously, the pressed wood or particle board table top is not very strong or rigid and it can easily bend or break.

In addition, the legs are often not securely connected to the table top and the legs often wobble or otherwise undesirably move.

The vinyl or plastic covering often undesirably increases manufacturing time and costs.

Additionally, the vinyl or plastic covering is often easily torn or damaged and it may be very difficult or impossible to satisfactorily repair or replace the covering.

Further, conventional card tables are often damaged or broken because the tables are not very strong or sturdy.

Damaged or broken card tables are typically discarded and new card tables purchased because card tables are often difficult to fix or repair.

Conventional card tables may also be difficult to play games on because, for example, the table top may easily bend or may not be flat.

In particular, the center portion of many card tables contains a depression because the table top is not very strong or rigid.

This may make it difficult to play a game because the game board may not be placed on a flat surface and / or the dice may be rolled on an uneven surface.

Additionally, the table top may have a bumpy or irregular surface that allows game pieces to undesirably move or does not allow cards to be placed on a flat surface.

Many known poker tables are very heavy, difficult to move and they may require multiple manufacturing steps or processes, which undesirably increases the costs of the table.

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