Method and system for playing a table game

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, preferably round, may be provided with folding legs and joined together for convenient transportation and storage. The height of individual legs are adjustable by both fine and coarse adjustment means.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US of provisional patent application Ser No. 60 / 608,165 filed Sep. 9, 2004 (09 / 09 / 2004).FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] 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 [0003] 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. [0004] 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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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. Being symmetrical to each other, such table surface portions of may be assembled face-to-face, or with their playing surfaces in parallel planes but facing away from each other, to provide for more compact storage. Inter-table connection means may be provided to facilitate this procedure.

[0013] 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.

[0018] Continuously variable adjustable supports may also incorporate or be combined with structures to allow discrete height adjustments in order to increase in the range of permissible height adjustments. Discrete height adjusting means may allow the user to lock the legs at a predetermined height through the use of a pin and hole system, through a ball-detent locking mechanism, or through the use of any device which allows the legs to be set to a predetermined level. By combining the continuously variable height adjustment means with the discrete height adjustment means, it is possible to allow the players to set the tables at the same height using the discrete adjustment means, and then to make adjustments to the continuously variable adjustment means in order to ensure that the tables are in the same horizontal plane in order to allow the players to play on uneven ground.

[0019] It is also possible to set the tables at the same height using the discrete adjustment means and tilt one or both of the tables in order to increase the difficulty of the game by adjusting the continuously variable height adjustment means on two of the legs in order to tilt the table in a given direction. Finally, It is possible for the tables to be changed to different heights, as for example during play, in order to increase the difficulty of play for the players.

[0022] 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.

Problems solved by technology

Further, such playing surfaces may or may not lie in a common plane.

Increased separation reduces the effective target area, while providing more time for players to respond that while the ball is in transit.

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