GAME TABLE THAT INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE STABILIZING TABLE LEG

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of gaming tables and preferably, although not exclusively, to table tennis, billiards or table football gaming tables. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known that game tables, such as table tennis tables, are foldable for easy storage and / or movement.

[0003] For example, we know from patent document EP 3 320 802, a gaming table presenting: a table top comprising a first table top portion having a first flat surface and a second table top portion having a second flat surface; stabilizing feet; rolling feet each equipped with at least one caster for rolling the table on a floor; a connecting mechanism connecting the table top on the one hand to each stabilizing foot and on the other hand to each of the rolling feet.

[0004] In a gaming configuration, such a table usually rests on the ground only via its stabilizing feet, the rolling feet being reserved exclusively for storing and storing the table.

[0005] If the floor is not completely flat, the table may be tilted, which is not desirable in a gaming configuration. Consequently, it may be desirable to modify the relative position of the stabilizing feet between them and with the tabletop to improve the horizontality of the tabletop.

[0006] For this purpose, it is known to equip the lower ends of the stabilizing feet with pads: each pad is screwed into the associated foot so that screwing or unscrewing the pad allows the height of said stabilizing foot to be modified. It is thus possible to relatively finally adjust the horizontality of the tabletop by adjusting the height of each of the feet.

[0007] Unfortunately, such a system requires lifting the table to gain access to the relevant pad so that it can be screwed or unscrewed. This is relatively tedious and generally requires two people to work: one to hold the table and the other to pivot the pad. A height-adjustable castor foot for furniture is described in document FR 504 790. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] One aim of the invention is to provide a game table which makes it easier to position its top horizontally even if the floor on which the table rests is not flat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to achieve this goal, the invention proposes a gaming table comprising a top and at least one stabilizing foot for said top.

[0010] According to the invention, the foot comprises a body, a rod mounted to move relative to the body in a translational movement between a retracted position and an extended position, and a pad carried by a distal end of the rod.

[0011] Thus, it is possible for a user to simply slide the rod in relation to the body to raise or lower the skate in relation to the board: it is therefore no longer necessary to act on the skate itself, which facilitates the manipulation of the stabilizing foot.

[0012] This makes it easier to position the tabletop horizontally even if the floor on which the table rests is not flat.

[0013] For the entire present application the terms “lower”, “upper” ... must be understood according to the operating position of the gaming table when it rests on a floor by means of its stabilizing foot.

[0014] According to the invention, the rod is arranged at least partly inside the body.

[0015] According to the invention, the rod is externally threaded.

[0016] According to the invention, the table comprises a nut mounted to pivot relative to the body, the rod comprising a thread capable of cooperating with a thread of said nut, the screwing or unscrewing of the nut causing the translation of the rod between its two positions.

[0017] Optionally the nut is pivotally mounted on the distal end of the body.

[0018] Optionally, the table is shaped so that in the retracted position of the rod, the pad is substantially level with the nut.

[0019] According to the invention, the foot is provided with means for preventing rotation of the upper.

[0020] According to the invention, the anti-rotation means comprise a male member / female member assembly guiding the sliding of the rod in the body.

[0021] According to the invention, the male member / female member assembly forms a stop element defining the extended position of the rod and / or a stop element defining the retracted position of the rod.

[0022] According to the invention, the male member / female member assembly is a pin / groove assembly.

[0023] Optionally, the rod includes means for locating its relative position with respect to the body and / or the nut. Optionally, the pad is connected to the rod by a ball joint.

[0024] Optionally the table is a table tennis table or a foosball table or a pool table.

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description with reference to the appended figures, among which: There figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a table according to a particular embodiment of the invention, the table being in a playing configuration on a floor; The figure 2 is a schematic side view of the table illustrated in figure 1 when the table is in storage configuration; The figure 3 is a perspective view of a stabilizing leg of the table illustrated in figure 1 when a rod of said foot is between its retracted position and its extended position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In reference to the figure 1 , the game table 1 according to a particular embodiment of the invention is here a table tennis game table.

[0028] The game table 1 comprises a board 2 comprising a first board portion 2a having a first flat surface 2a1 and a second board portion 2b having a second flat surface 2b1.

[0029] The gaming table 1 also comprises rolling feet 4 (only one of which is referenced here) each equipped with at least one caster R for rolling the table on a floor S. In addition, the gaming table 1 comprises at least one stabilizing foot and preferably a plurality of stabilizing feet 3 (only one of which is referenced here).

[0030] In the present case, the gaming table 1 has four stabilizing feet 3 each associated with one of the corners of the gaming table 1 as well as two middle stabilizing feet 3: one associated with the right side of the gaming table 1 and the other associated with the left side of the gaming table 1.

[0031] A connecting mechanism M of the game table 1 makes it possible to connect the table top portions 2a, 2b on the one hand to each at least one stabilizing foot 3 and on the other hand to each of the rolling feet 4.

[0032] The game table 1 selectively adopts a storage configuration visible at the figure 2 , and a game configuration visible at the figure 1 .

[0033] Since the stabilizing feet 3 are identical to each other here, the following description of one of the stabilizing feet 3 also applies to the other of the stabilizing feet 3.

[0034] The stabilizing foot 3 comprises a body 10 of which at least one distal end 11 (i.e. the end of the body 10 furthest from the plate 2) is shaped into a solid of revolution with a generatrix of a first axis Z.

[0035] The distal end 11 of the body 10 is here externally shaped into a truncated cone. The distal end 11 of the body 10 is also hollow.

[0036] The stabilizing foot 3 comprises a nut 12 preferably extending the distal end of the body 10. The nut 12 is also shaped into a solid of revolution with a generatrix of the first axis Z so that the nut 12 and the distal end 11 of the body 10 extend coaxially with each other and with the first axis Z.

[0037] The nut 12 has an active portion 13 intended to be the one manipulated by a user, active portion 13 extended above by a connection portion 14 to the body 10. The connection portion 14 is here pivotally mounted in the distal end 11 of the body 10 around the first axis Z.

[0038] The active portion 13 is here shaped into a truncated cone. The active portion 13 and the distal end 11 of the body 10 are thus shaped so as to have substantially the same external diameter at their junction. Externally, the junction between the active portion 13 and the distal end 11 of the body 10 therefore does not have any step or shoulder.

[0039] The nut 12 also has a threaded hole 15 passing through it over its entire height: the threaded hole 15 thus passes through both the connection portion 14 and the active portion 13. The threaded hole 15 also extends coaxially with the rest of the nut 12, at the distal end 11 of the body 10 and therefore with the first axis Z.

[0040] Furthermore, the stabilizing foot 3 comprises a rod 16 which is also shaped into a solid of revolution with a generatrix of the first axis Z so that the rod 16, the nut 12 and the distal end 11 of the body 10 extend coaxially with each other and with the first axis Z.

[0041] The rod 16 is arranged at least partly inside the body 10.

[0042] Typically, the body 10 internally comprises a channel 17 extending along the first axis Z, the proximal end 18 of the rod 16 being slidably received in said channel 17.

[0043] The rod 16 thus slides relative to the body 10 and inside said body 10, and in particular its chute 17, along the first axis Z.

[0044] The rod 16 has on at least part of its external surface a thread capable of cooperating with the thread of the threaded hole 15 of the nut 12.

[0045] Preferably at least the distal end 19 of the rod 16 is externally threaded. In the present case, the thread extends over between 30 and 90% of the total height of the rod 16 (height considered along the first axis Z) and preferably between 40 and 80% of the height of the rod 16 (height considered along the first axis Z).

[0046] The stabilizing foot 3 also includes means for preventing the rod 16 from rotating relative to the body 10.

[0047] According to the invention, the anti-rotation means comprise a pin / groove assembly guiding the sliding of the rod 16 in the body 10. According to the invention, the pin 20 is associated with the body 10 and the groove 21 with the rod 16.

[0048] The pin 20 is arranged inside the body 10 so as to extend in a radial direction Ra orthogonal to the first axis Z. According to the invention, the pin 20 extends through the entire body 10 and is therefore fixed at its two ends to said body 10. Optionally, the pin 20 is in one piece with said body 10.

[0049] The groove 21 is formed in the rod 16 so as to pass right through the rod 16. The pin 20 therefore of course extends inside the groove 21 so as to also pass right through the rod 16 in the radial direction Ra.

[0050] The groove 21 is further shaped so as to have an oblong section (along a section plane with a normal radial direction Ra). The groove 21 is thus closed at each of its upper and lower ends (along the first axis Z).

[0051] Thus, in addition to preventing rotation of the rod 16 relative to the body 10, the groove 21 and the pin 20 limit a translation of the rod 16 along the body 10 along the first axis Z. The groove 21 thus forms with the pin 20 a first stop element when the pin 20 comes to bear against the upper end 22 of the groove 21, defining a retracted position of the rod 16, and a second stop element when the pin 20 comes to bear against the lower end 22 of the groove 21, defining an extension position of the rod 16.

[0052] Preferably, the rod 16 comprises means for locating the relative height of the rod 16 with respect to the body 10 (height considered along the first axis Z). Said means are here arranged directly on the rod 16.

[0053] Thus, as the rod 16 slides out of the body 10, the locating means gradually appear.

[0054] The user can thus easily estimate to what extent the rod 16 has come out of the body 10. Indeed, in the retracted position of the rod 16, the locating means are not visible: on the other hand, they appear as the rod 16 is stretched out of the body 10.

[0055] The locating means optionally extend along the rod 16 from its distal end to substantially the lower end of the groove 21.

[0056] The means of identification include, for example, graduations and / or alphanumeric signs and / or symbols.

[0057] In the present case, the locating means comprise at least graduations 24 (only a part of which is referenced here). For example, each graduation 24 is shaped in the form of a line, the different lines being arranged at different heights along the rod 16. The lines are preferably regularly spaced.

[0058] Optionally, the identification means also include at least one alphanumeric sign 25 (of which only part is referenced here) associated with each graduation 24. For example, a number is associated with each graduation 24.

[0059] Preferably, the locating means also comprise an indication 26 of the maximum extension of the rod 16 outside the body 10. For example, the indication 26 is a word of the type “max” or “maximum” or “stop”. Optionally, this indication 26 becomes visible to the user (i.e. when the portion of rod 16 bearing said indication 26 leaves the body 10) substantially at the moment when the pin 20 comes into abutment against the upper end 22 of the groove 21.

[0060] According to a particular embodiment, at least one area of the external surface of the rod 16 is flat, the locating means being inscribed on said area.

[0061] This allows for better visualization of the means of detection.

[0062] Preferably, at least two distinct zones of the external surface of the rod 16 are flat. The two zones are for example arranged symmetrically with respect to the first axis Z.

[0063] For example, the rod 16 is shaped so as to have two external flat faces 27 (the two aforementioned zones) and two rounded faces each connecting the two flat faces 27 together. The rod 16 is therefore generally shaped here into a cylinder with two opposite flats.

[0064] It is recalled that the groove 21 here passes right through the rod 16. Preferably then, the rod 16 is shaped so that the groove 21 extends between the two flat faces 27 so as to open onto said two flat faces 27.

[0065] Each flat face 27 therefore extends in a plane with normal radial direction Ra.

[0066] It is noted that the thread of the rod 16 does not extend here over its entire external circumference but only over its two rounded faces. This obviously does not hinder the relative rotation between the nut 12 and the rod 16 since the flat faces 27 do not protrude from the thread.

[0067] Furthermore, the stabilizing foot 3 comprises a pad 28 carried by the distal end 19 of the rod 16, the pad 28 being the part of the stabilizing foot 3 intended to rest on the ground S. In the present case, the pad 28 extends in the extension of the rod 16. The pad 28 is for example connected to the rod 16 via the lower face of said rod 16.

[0068] The pad 28 is preferably secured to the rod 16 by a ball joint.

[0069] The possible rotations of the skate 28 with respect to the rest of the stabilizing foot 3 facilitate in particular the stabilization of the game table 1 on the ground S and therefore more easily ensure horizontality of the board 2.

[0070] In use, if the rod 16 is in the retracted position, the pin 20 is in abutment against the lower end 23 of the groove 21. The rod 16 is then entirely or almost entirely retracted into the body 10. The stabilizing foot 3 is shaped so that the pad 28 is preferably level with the nut 12.

[0071] The user may wish to increase the height of the stabilizing foot 3. In this case, the user turns the nut 12 in a first direction of rotation.

[0072] The rotation of the nut 12 relative to the body 10 causes, via the cooperation of the threads of the nut 10 on the one hand and of the rod 16 on the other hand, a corresponding translation of the rod 16. The rod 16 then gradually leaves the body 10 causing the pad 28 to move away from the nut 12.

[0073] Once the stabilizing foot 3 is at the desired height, the user can stop turning the nut 12 and the stabilizing foot 3 then remains in the corresponding position.

[0074] Advantageously, the user can easily identify the extension level of the rod 16 thanks to the locating means. He can thus use them to, for example, more quickly bring one, several, or all of the other stabilizing feet 3 of the gaming table to the correct height.

[0075] Advantageously, the fact that the rod 16 does not rotate relative to the stabilizing foot 3 when it changes position makes it easier to read the locating means.

[0076] The nut 12 can also be turned until the rod 16 reaches its extended position: in such a position the pin 20 is in abutment against the upper end 22 of the groove 21 and the pad 28 is as far away as possible from the nut 12.

[0077] If the user wishes to reduce the height of the stabilizing foot 3, he then turns the nut 12 in the second direction of rotation, which in turn causes the rod 16 to retract inside the stabilizing foot.

[0078] A simple stabilizing foot 3 has thus been described, which easily allows a user to lower or raise said foot.

[0079] It is sufficient for a user to screw or unscrew the nut 12 to cause the translation of the rod 16 between its two end positions, it being understood that the rod 16 can be held in position in any of its intermediate positions between its two end positions.

[0080] Thus the user does not need to lift the game table 1, or more generally to touch the pad 28, to put the stabilizing feet 3 at the correct height. Furthermore, the user can modify the height of the stabilizing foot 3 alone.

[0081] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and variant embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0082] So although here the game table is a table tennis table, the game table could be different and be for example a tennis, billiard or even table football table.

[0083] The stem can be shaped differently and, for example, be shaped into a cylinder without a flat.

[0084] The skate can be secured in a different way than by a ball joint to the rod. It is even possible to have the skate rigidly fixed to the rod or in a single piece with the rod.

Claims

1. A game table comprising a tabletop (2) and at least one stabilizer leg (3) for stabilizing said tabletop, the table being characterized in that the leg comprises a body (10), a rod (16) mounted to move in translation relative to the body between a retracted position and an extended position, and a shoe (28) carried by a distal end of the rod, the shoe (3) being provided with antirotation means for preventing the rod from rotating, the antirotation means comprising a male member and a female member acting together to guide the sliding of the rod (16) in the body (10), the male member and the female member together forming an abutment defining the extended position of the rod and / or an abutment defining the retracted position of the rod, wherein the rod (16) is arranged at least in part inside the body and the table includes a nut (12) mounted to rotate relative to the body, the rod (16) having a thread suitable for co-operating with tapping of said nut, such that turning the nut in one direction or the other causes the rod to move in translation between said two position, the rod could be remained in place in any of its intermediate positions between its two extreme positions, wherein the male member and the female member form a peg and slot arrangement, wherein the peg is associated with the body and the slot is associated with the rod, the peg being arranged inside the body (10) so as to extend in an orthogonal direction to an axial direction (Z) of the body, and the peg (20) extending right through the body (10) and being fastened to said body at both of its ends.

2. A table according to claim 1, wherein the nut (12) is rotatably mounted at the distal end of the body.

3. A table according to claim 1 or claim 2, shaped in such a manner that the shoe (28) is substantially level with the nut when the rod (16) is in the retracted position.

4. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod (16) includes marker means for identifying its position relative to the nut (12).

5. A table according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the shoe (28) is connected to the rod (16) by a ball joint.

6. A table according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the table is a table tennis table or a foosball table or a pool table.