Foosball and corresponding ball release mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a foosball table comprising a collection system (2, 2') including two collectors (2, 2') each associated with a chute. Each collector includes an inner tube (21) and an outer tube (22) that rotates relative to the inner tube (21). A motorized actuation device (3) is configured to rotate, simultaneously for both collectors, the outer tube (22) of each collector relative to the inner tube (21) of said collector between a retention position in which an outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) is at least partially obstructed by the outer tube (22) so as to prevent the balls (21) from exiting the collector; and an overlapping position of the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube and the release opening (223) in which the balls are able to exit the collector by falling through said openings. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.Figure for the abridged version: Fig.2.

Description

Title of the invention: Table football and corresponding ball release method FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to table football. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] The state of the art of table football is known, i.e. game devices simulating football, which comprise a box provided with a board, goal cages having openings for the fall of a ball when it enters the goal cage and figurines actuated by rods mounted mobile to pivot and slide.

[0003] The table football may be provided with a ball collection system that allows balls that have fallen into the openings of the cages to be collected. The balls thus collected are retained until a release mechanism is actuated to release the balls, which then fall into a waiting area accessible to the user to allow the user to pick up the released balls. The release device may include a coin mechanism, or other payment device, into which a user can insert a coin to trigger the release mechanism, which causes the balls retained in the collection system to be released.

[0004] However, it is noted that the existing mechanisms are complex and can be subject to malfunctions. It happens that the balls get stuck or that a user manages to get balls out of the collection system by shaking the table football without using the release device and therefore without paying.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to propose a new table football and a corresponding ball release method making it possible to overcome all or part of the problems set out above. Summary of the invention

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a table football comprising: an elongated box and a game board carried by the box; two goal zones, called goal cages, having openings through which balls can fall; a ball collection system, delivery ramps, called chutes, which communicate with the openings of the goal cages to allow the balls to be conveyed to the collection system; a waiting area for using balls; characterized in that the collection system comprising two collectors each associated with one of the chutes, each collector comprises an inner tube and an outer tube in which the inner tube is at least partially fitted, the outer tube being rotatable relative to the inner tube; the inner tube having: an inlet through which balls from the corresponding goal cage are able to enter the inner tube, and a ball outlet opening provided in the peripheral wall of the inner tube; the outer tube having a release opening provided in the peripheral wall of the outer tube through which, in a position of overlapping of the outlet opening of the inner tube by the release opening of the outer tube, called release configuration, the balls contained in said inner tube are able to exit the inner tube by falling by gravity through the outlet opening of the inner tube and the release opening of the outer tube; the table football also comprising a motorized actuating device configured to rotate, simultaneously for the two collectors, the outer tube of each collector relative to the inner tube of said collector between: - a retaining position in which the outlet opening of the inner tube is at least partially closed by the outer tube so as to prevent the balls from exiting the collector through said outlet opening of the inner tube; and - said overlapping position of the outlet opening of the inner tube and the release opening in which the balls are able to exit the collector by falling through the outlet opening of the inner tube (21) and the release opening of the outer tube, the waiting area being arranged to receive the bales coming out of the collectors; the table football also comprising a control device, comprising for example a coin mechanism, configured to control the motorized actuating device for the passage of the tubes of each collector from the retaining position to the overlapping position to allow the balls contained in the collection system to pass into the ball waiting area.

[0007] Such a design of the collection system comprising two collectors which each include an outer tube which can rotate relative to an inner tube, in particular around the inner tube, to release an outlet (release) opening so as to let the balls fall through the opening of each tube, makes it possible to easily and reliably control the release of the balls to allow them to arrive at the waiting area with limited energy consumption.

[0008] The kinematics of releasing by rotation of a tube is simple and therefore reliable, and the risk of balls getting stuck in the collection system is reduced. Furthermore, a such design prevents fraudulent use of the table football by preventing the balls from exiting the collection system in the holding position thanks to the outer tube which at least partially surrounds the inner tube.

[0009] The table football may also include one or more of the following characteristics taken in any technically admissible combination.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the inlet of the inner tube is an axial inlet.

[0011] According to one embodiment, in a projected view in a plane parallel to the plate of clearance, the collectors extend parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the box, the collectors preferably being spaced laterally from each other.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the inner tube, and preferably the outer tube, of each collector is inclined relative to the plane of the game board, from a high point located on the side of the goal cage which is in communication with said collector via the corresponding chute, towards a low point opposite said goal cage so as to allow the balls to come to the bottom of the collector.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each chute is made from a folded sheet metal blank.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each chute has: - a back wall on which balls are able to roll, and - two opposite edges, forming a guide barrier to guide the balls into the corresponding collector.

[0015] According to one embodiment, one of the edges of each chute is substantially parallel and aligned with a generatrix of the inner tube of the collector with which the chute communicates.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the motorized actuation device comprises: - a rotary engine, and - a mechanical transmission system which includes: - an orthogonal arm rotationally fixed to an output shaft of the rotary engine, and, - two connecting rods articulated at the ends of the arm, the two connecting rods comprising a connecting rod also articulated to an ear fixed to the outer tube of one of the collectors, and a connecting rod also articulated to an ear fixed to the outer tube of the other collector.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the box housing the chutes and the collection system, the inner tube of each collector is mounted fixed relative to the table football box, and the outer tube is mounted rotatably relative to the box.

[0018] There is also provided a method of releasing balls retained in a collection system of a table football table according to any one of the preceding embodiments, said method comprising simultaneously rotating each outer tube of a collector relative to the corresponding inner tube, so that each collector passes from the retaining position in which the outlet opening of the inner tube is at least partially blocked by the outer tube so as to prevent the exit of the balls from the inner tube through the exit opening, at the overlap position in which the release opening of the outer tube and the exit opening of the inner tube overlap to allow the balls to exit the inner tube by falling through the exit opening of the inner tube and the release opening of the outer tube, the balls arriving by gravity in the waiting area. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

[0020] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a schematic top view of part of a table football according to one embodiment of the invention, [Fig.l] showing goal cages associated with chutes and a ball collection system, the game board and the player bars not being shown;

[0021] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the ball collection system in a ball retaining configuration;

[0022] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the ball collection system in a ball release configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The invention is hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the appended claims.

[0024] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0025] With reference to the figures, a table football table has been shown whose design makes it possible to limit the risk of balls getting stuck, in particular in the collection system which collects the balls which have fallen into the goal cages (and preferably also with regard to the chutes as explained below), while limiting the possibility for a user to knock balls out of the collection system by shaking the table football.

[0026] Table football structure

[0027] Usually, a table football 1 includes a frame which comprises an elongated box 10 and legs supporting the box.

[0028] A game board 11 at least partially covers the interior of the box 10, masking a ball collection system 2, 2' housed in the box 10, and ball supply chutes 120, 120' which are arranged to allow the balls to be guided from the goal cages 110, 110' to the collection system 2, 2'.

[0029] Player bars (rods) (not shown) are mounted to slide along their axis and pivot about their axis, and are carried by the box 10. The goal cages 110, 110' are carried by the box 10 and opposite each other while being arranged at the ends of the box 10. Each goal cage 110, 110' has a passage (opening) communicating with the collection system 2, 2' via the chutes 120, 120'.

[0030] The board 11 is arranged to allow a ball rolling on the board 11 and entering a goal cage, to fall through the opening of the goal cage 110, 110'.

[0031] The table football also comprises a waiting area 130 for using balls. The waiting area comprises a wall forming a stop for stopping the balls, also called a stopper. In said waiting area 130, the balls released from the collection system 2, 2' are waiting to be picked up by a user. The waiting area 130 has an opening provided through a side wall of the box 10 to allow the balls which are released by the collection system 2, 2' to be accessible to the user.

[0032] Collection system

[0033] The ball collection system 2, 2' is arranged between the goal cage 110 and the waiting area 130, with reference to the path of the balls.

[0034] The collection system 2, 2' is the system which makes it possible to collect the balls which have fallen into the openings of the goal cages, and to retain these balls while waiting for a command to release them. Once released, the balls are available to the user in the waiting area 130.

[0035] The collection system 2, 2' comprises two collectors 2, 2'. Each collector 2, 2' is arranged to collect the balls from a given goal area 110, 110'.

[0036] Preferably, the collectors extend - in top view, as illustrated in [Fig.l] - parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the box 10. However, the collectors 2, 2' are preferably inclined relative to the horizontal plane - considering the table football in the state in which the table football is supported on a horizontal ground, from a high point located on the side of the goal cage which is in communication with said collector (via the corresponding chute) towards a low point opposite said cage so as to allow the balls to come to the bottom of the collector (the collector - in particular the inner tube - being provided with a stop at its end opposite the inlet 211).

[0037] Each collector 2, 2' comprises an inner tube 21 and an outer tube 22 in which the inner tube 21 is fitted at least partially. It can be provided that the inner tube 21 is fixed relative to the frame (box) of the table football. The tubes 21, 22 are preferably coaxial by being fitted one inside the other.

[0038] The outer tube 22 is rotatably mounted relative to the inner tube 21. In particular, the outer tube 22 is rotatable around the inner tube 21 between a position for retaining the balls contained in the inner tube 21 and a position for releasing the balls. It is understood that this is a relative movement. In a preferred embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer tube 22 is rotatably mounted relative to the box, and the inner tube is fixed relative to the box. According to a more complicated variant, it can be provided that it is the inner tube 21 which is rotatably mounted relative to the box, while the outer tube 22 is fixed relative to the box. According to another variant more complicated than the previous one, it can also be provided that the inner tube 21 and the outer tube 22 are rotatably mounted relative to the box.

[0039] As explained below, each tube has an opening 213, 223 formed in its peripheral wall and the openings are arranged so as to allow the tubes to contain or release the passage of the balls through the openings of these tubes according to the relative position of the outer tube (preferably mounted mobile in rotation relative to the table football box) relative to the inner tube (preferably mounted fixed relative to the table football box).

[0040] The inner tube 21 has: - an inlet 211 through which balls coming from the corresponding goal cage are able to enter the inner tube 21, - and a 213 bullet exit opening.

[0041] Advantageously, the inlet 211 is an axial inlet. In other words, the axis of the inlet 211 (the opening at the end of the inner tube which communicates with the corresponding chute) corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube 21. A ball can thus be guided by the chute to enter the inner tube with a reduced number of impacts or changes of direction which would risk causing the ball to jam or stop.

[0042] The outer tube 22 has a release opening 223 through which, in a configuration of overlapping the release opening 223 of the outer tube 22 and the outlet opening 213 of the inner tube 21, called the release configuration, the balls present in the outer tube 22 fall through exit opening 213 and release opening 223 until reaching waiting area 130.

[0043] In other words, the balls contained in said inner tube 21 are able to exit from the inner tube 21 through this outlet opening 213 in the release configuration of the collection system and therefore in the release position of the outer tube 22. The release configuration is obtained when said release opening 223 of the outer tube 22 is opposite the outlet opening 213 of the inner tube 21 with sufficient overlap / superposition of the openings for the balls to pass through these openings.

[0044] The outlet 213 and release 223 openings provided in the inner and outer tubes are provided in the peripheral wall of said tubes, and preferably have an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the tubes. The balls which thus enter axially into the collectors exit radially in the release configuration.

[0045] For each collector, the inlet 211 of the inner tube 21 is preferably formed by one end of the tube which communicates with one end of the guide chute arranged between the corresponding goal cage and said inner tube of the collector.

[0046] Collectors

[0047] The collection system 2, 2' is thus capable of presenting: - a release configuration in which the collection system 2, 2' communicates with the waiting area 130 so as to allow one or more bales to pass from the collection system 2, 2' to the waiting area 130, and - a retention configuration in which the communication between the collection system 2, 2' and the waiting area 130 is blocked, at least partially, so as to retain the bales in the collection system 2, 2' to prevent them from passing into the waiting area 130, while awaiting a release command.

[0048] In the retaining configuration, the openings 213, 223 do not overlap or partially overlap so that the partial overlap of the openings 213, 223 defines a through opening of the corresponding collector which is smaller, in particular in terms of the width of the resulting through opening, than the through opening resulting from the overlap of the openings 213, 223 obtained in the release configuration. In particular, the width of the through opening formed by the overlap of the openings 213, 223 is, in the bale release configuration, greater than the diameter of a bale.

[0049] A control device 4, which comprises for example a payment system, such as a coin mechanism, makes it possible to control a motorized actuating device 3 for the passage of the collectors of the collection system 2, 2' from the retaining configuration to the releasing configuration to allow the balls contained in the collection system 2, 2' to pass into waiting area 130.

[0050] As recalled above, the longitudinal axis of the inner tube, and preferably of the outer tube) is (slightly) inclined relative to the horizontal, i.e. relative to the plane of the game board, to allow the balls to descend to the bottom of the inner tube.

[0051] The openings 213, 223 can be made by cutting the peripheral wall of the corresponding tube 21, 22.

[0052] Motorized actuating device

[0053] The motorized actuating device 3 is configured to allow the outer tube 22 to rotate around the inner tube 21 between: - a release position in which the release opening 223 of the outer tube 22 and the outlet opening 213 of the inner tube 21 are in said release configuration (overlapping position) for which the balls can exit the inner tube 21 by falling through the outlet opening 213 and the release opening 223; - and a retaining position in which the bullet outlet opening 213 of the inner tube 21 is at least partially closed by the outer tube 22 so as to prevent the bullets from exiting the inner tube 21. In the retaining position, the overlap of the outlet and release openings 213, 223 is zero or less than that obtained in the release position.

[0054] In the so-called release position of the inner tube, the bullet outlet opening of the inner tube is released relative to the outer tube. In particular, in said release position, the opening 223 formed in the peripheral wall of the outer tube 22 is pivoted opposite the bullet outlet opening 213 of the inner tube.

[0055] Simultaneous training

[0056] The movement of the two collectors 2, 2' at the time of the ball release command is synchronized.

[0057] As recalled above, the motorized actuating device 3 is configured to simultaneously rotate the outer tube 22 of each collector 2, 2' around the corresponding inner tube 21, for the passage of each collector 2, 2' from the retaining position to the release position and vice versa.

[0058] The motorized device 3 is configured to transmit a rotational movement from a rotary motor 30 to the outer tubes 22 of the collectors 2, 2' by a mechanical transmission system 31, 32, 32'.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention and as for example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the motorized device 3 thus comprises a rotary motor 30 and a system of arms 31 and connecting rods 32, 32'.

[0060] The motorized device 3 thus makes it possible to simultaneously drive the outer tubes 22 of the collectors 2, 2' in rotation. The outer tube 22 of the collector 2 is driven in rotation around the inner tube 21, simultaneously with the rotational drive of the outer tube 22 of the other collector 2' around the corresponding inner tube 21.

[0061] The system of arms 31 and connecting rods 32, 32' comprises an arm 31 orthogonal and integral in rotation with an output shaft of the engine 30, and, articulated at the ends of the arm 31, a connecting rod 32 also articulated to an element 33, called an ear, fixed to the outer tube 22 of the collector 2, and a connecting rod 32' also articulated to an ear 33' fixed to the outer tube 22 of the collector 2'.

[0062] The rotation of the arm 31, preferably a quarter turn in one direction, thus makes it possible to move each collector 2, 2' from a bale-retaining configuration to a bale-releasing configuration. Then the rotation in the opposite direction of the arm 31 makes it possible to return each collector 2, 2' to the bale-retaining configuration.

[0063] Chutes

[0064] As recalled above, for each goal cage 110, 110', a conveying ramp 120, 120', also called a chute, allows the balls to be brought by gravity from the goal cages 110, 110' into the collection system 2, 2'.

[0065] Each chute 120, 120' is preferably made from a folded sheet metal blank.

[0066] Advantageously, each chute 120, 120' has a bottom wall (surface of rolling) on ​​which the bales can roll and two opposite lateral rims 121, 122, 121', 122' forming a guide barrier. The lateral rims are inclined relative to each other - in top view, as illustrated in [Fig.l] - to guide the bales into the collection system. Preferably, one 121, 121' of the rims of the chute 120, 120' is substantially parallel to and in the extension of a generatrix of the inner tube 21. The other rim 122, 122' is inclined relative to the rim 121, 121'. The bottom wall of each chute is inclined downwards towards the collection system.

[0067] It should be noted that it is usually known to make chutes from wood, but these chutes prove to be delicate and tedious to manufacture. In addition, the rolling coefficient of cork balls on wood is quite unfavorable and significantly slows down the balls in their descent. The production of chutes from folded sheet metal makes it possible to solve these problems.

[0068] The shape of the chute with a first rim 121, 121' substantially parallel to a generatrix of the associated inner tube 21, while the second rim 122, 122' is inclined relative to the first rim 121, 121' to converge the balls towards the inner tube, makes it possible to limit the risk of the balls getting stuck in the chute. The balls which fall from a goal cage into the corresponding chute are then channeled into the center of the latter.

[0069] According to one embodiment of the invention, a central fold is made on the rolling surface of each chute so as to prevent the bales from remaining in contact with edges 121, 121' and 122, 122'.

[0070] Other aspects

[0071] It can be provided that, for each collector, half-flanges secure the inner tube 21 of the collector to the table football box by a tenon / mortise type assembly.

[0072] These pairs of half-flanges also ensure the coaxiality of the two tubes by guiding the outer tube in rotation relative to the inner tube. Advantageously, a small notch located at the end of the tenon of each half-flange makes it possible to maintain a stop at the lower end of the collector so that the balls cannot exit through this end.

[0073] Method

[0074] The table football presented above makes it possible to implement a ball release method, an example of which is described below.

[0075] Each of the collectors is in a retaining configuration. In other words, the inner 21 and outer 22 tubes are positioned relative to each other so that the opening 213 is at least partially closed by the outer tube. Any remaining through passage is of insufficient size, in particular width, for the passage of a ball.

[0076] When a ball enters a goal cage 110 or 110', the ball falls into the opening of the cage which communicates with the chute 120 or 120'. The ball is then guided by the chute 120 or 120' into the collector 2 or 2', and enters the corresponding inner tube 21 through the inlet 211.

[0077] The inner 21 and outer 22 tubes being in the retaining configuration, the ball is retained in the inner tube 21. Any jolts applied by a user to the table football do not allow the ball to fall, which remains contained in the inner tube 21.

[0078] The principle described above applies to several balls.

[0079] When the users no longer have balls and these balls are contained in the collection system, the users can control by a control device 4, which comprises for example a coin mechanism, the operation of the motorized actuating device 3. The control device 4 can be activated for example by a user who inserts a coin into a coin mechanism of the control device 4.

[0080] The output shaft of the motor 30 then rotates to bring the arm 31 into a position, preferably perpendicular to its initial position corresponding to the retaining configuration of the collectors, in which the connecting rods 32, 32' push on the ears 33, 33' to pivot the outer tubes 22 into the release configuration, rotating each outer tube 22 around the corresponding inner tube 21 to arrive in the ball release configuration.

[0081] The balls pass through the openings 213, 223 of the inner and outer tubes and arrive by gravity in the waiting area 130 where they can be recovered by the users.

[0082] Then the motorized actuating device 3 returns the arm to the initial position, by pivoting in the opposite direction, so that the outer tubes 22 return to a position corresponding to the retaining configuration.

[0083] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0084] Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Furthermore, features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the embodiments set forth above may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments set forth above.

Claims

Claims

1. Table football (1) comprising: - an elongated box (10) and a game board (11) carried by the box (10); - two goal areas, called goal cages (110, 110') having openings through which balls can fall; - a ball collection system (2, 2'), - conveying ramps (120, 120'), called chutes, which communicate with the openings of the goal cages (110, 110') to allow the balls to be conveyed to the collection system (2, 2'); - a waiting area (130) for using balls; characterized in that the collection system (2, 2') comprising two collectors (2, 2') each associated with one of the chutes (120, 120'), each collector (2, 2') comprises an inner tube (21) and an outer tube (22) in which the inner tube (21) is fitted at least partially, the outer tube (22) being rotatable relative to the inner tube (21); the inner tube (21) having: an inlet (211) through which balls from the corresponding goal cage (110) are able to enter the inner tube (21), and a ball outlet opening (213) provided in the peripheral wall of the inner tube (21); the outer tube (22) having a release opening (223) provided in the peripheral wall of the outer tube (22) by which, in a position of overlapping of the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube by the release opening (223) of the outer tube (22), called release configuration, the balls contained in said inner tube (21) are able to exit the inner tube (21) by falling by gravity through the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube and the release opening (223) of the outer tube (22); the table football also comprising a motorized actuating device (3) configured to rotate, simultaneously for the two collectors (2, 2'), the outer tube (22) of each collector (2, 2') relative to the inner tube (21) of said collector (2, 2') between: - a retaining position in which the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) is at least partially closed by the outer tube (22) so as to prevent the balls (21) from exiting the collector (2, 2') through said outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21); and - said overlapping position of the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) and the release opening (223) in which the balls are able to exit the collector (2, 2') by falling through the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) and the release opening (223) of the outer tube, the waiting area (30) being arranged to receive the balls exiting the collectors (2, 2');the table football also comprising a control device (4), comprising for example a coin mechanism, configured to control the motorized actuating device (3) for the passage of the tubes (21, 22) of each collector (2, 2') from the retaining position to the overlapping position to allow the balls contained in the collection system (2, 2') to pass into the ball waiting area (130).;

2. Table football (1) according to claim 1, in which the inlet (211) of the inner tube (21) is an axial inlet.

3. Table football (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in a projected view in a plane parallel to the game board (11), the collectors (2, 2') extend parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis (A10) of the box (10), the collectors (2, 2') preferably being spaced laterally from each other.

4. Table football (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the inner tube (21), and preferably the outer tube, of each collector (2, 2') is inclined relative to the plane of the game board (11), from a high point located on the side of the goal cage (110, 110') which is in communication with said collector (2, 2') via the corresponding chute (120, 120'), towards a low point opposite said goal cage (110, 110') so as to allow the balls to come to the bottom of the collector (2, 2').

5. Table football (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each chute (120, 120') is made from a folded sheet metal blank.

6. Table football (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each chute (120, 120') has: - a bottom wall on which balls are able to roll, and - two opposite edges (121, 122; 121', 122'), forming a guide barrier to guide the balls into the corresponding collector (2, 2').

7. Table football (1) according to claim 6, in which one (121, 121') of the edges of each chute (120, 120') is substantially parallel and aligned with a generatrix of the inner tube (21) of the collector (2, 2') with which the chute (120, 120') communicates.

8. Table football (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the motorized actuating device (3) comprises: - a rotary motor (30), and - a mechanical transmission system (31, 32, 32') which comprises: - an arm (31) orthogonal and integral in rotation with an output shaft of the rotary motor (30), and, - two connecting rods (32, 32') articulated at the ends of the arm (31), the two connecting rods (32, 32') comprising a connecting rod (32) also articulated to an ear (33) fixed to the outer tube (22) of one (2) of the collectors (2, 2'), and a connecting rod (32') also articulated to an ear (33') fixed to the outer tube (22) of the other collector (2').

9. Table football (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, the box (10) housing the chutes and the collection system, the inner tube (21) of each collector (2, 2') is mounted fixed relative to the box (10) of the table football, and the outer tube (22) is mounted rotatably relative to the box (10).

10. A method of releasing balls retained in a collection system (2, 2') of a table football table (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising simultaneously rotating each outer tube (22) of a collector (2, 2') relative to the corresponding inner tube (21), such that each collector (2, 2') passes from the retaining position in which the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) is at least partially closed by the outer tube (22) so as to prevent the balls from exiting the inner tube (21) through the outlet opening (213), to the overlapping position in which the release opening (223) of the outer tube (22) and the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) overlap to allow the balls to exit the inner tube (21) by falling through the outlet opening (213) of the inner tube (21) and the release opening (223) of the outer tube (21),the balls arriving by gravity in the waiting area (130).,

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