Method for manufacturing an electronic billiard table incorporating at least one cast insert and electronic billiard table obtained from said method

Abstract

Method for manufacturing an electronic billiard table incorporating at least one cast insert and electronic billiard table obtained from said method The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic billiard table (20) comprising a step of cutting a panel (22) and, for each insert (26) to be integrated into the panel (22), a step of producing a blind hole (30) opening only at a first face of the panel (22), at least one step of casting at least one material (32) into the first blind hole (30) until the material (32) completely fills the first blind hole (30) as well as a step of removing at least a portion of the panel (22) at a second face, different from the first face, until reaching the insert (26) and forming a through hole (28). This solution makes it possible to obtain inserts with more or less complex shapes by casting each one directly into a cavity in the panel (22).The invention also relates to an electronic billiard table obtained from this method. Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing an electronic billiard table incorporating at least one cast insert and electronic billiard table obtained from said method

[0001] The present application relates to a method of manufacturing an electronic billiard table incorporating at least one cast insert as well as to an electronic billiard table obtained from said method.

[0002] An electronic billiard table, also called a pinball machine, comprises a table on the upper face of which at least one ball rolls in operation. This upper face has a decoration which incorporates transparent inserts of different shapes and colors.

[0003] According to an embodiment of the prior art visible in [Fig.l], an electronic billiard table is produced from a panel 10 which has first and second faces 10.1, 10.2.

[0004] According to a first configuration visible in [Fig.l], each insert 12 has a body 12.1 as well as a head 12.2 which has a section greater than that of the body 12.1 and a face 12.3 visible when the insert 12 is integrated into the panel 10. According to one configuration, the body 12.1 can be hollow or hollowed out. According to a second configuration, each insert comprises a body which has a first face visible when the insert is integrated into the panel as well as a second face opposite the first face, the body having a section which increases from the second face towards the first face.

[0005] Each insert 12 is made of translucent plastic material, by molding for example. It has a given color and section.

[0006] According to one method of operation, the inserts 12 are produced by a first manufacturer, generally specialized in plastic injection, and directly or indirectly resold to a second manufacturer who produces the electronic billiard tables.

[0007] This method of operation is not satisfactory because each manufacturer of electronic billiard tables must order and stock a large number of insert references. According to another disadvantage, the shapes and colors of the inserts installed by the table manufacturer are limited to those produced and sold by the insert manufacturers, which limits the possibilities in terms of decorations.

[0008] As illustrated in part (A) of [Fig.l], for each insert 12, a method of manufacturing a tray comprises a step of producing a through hole 14 which opens at the level of the first and second faces 10.1, 10.2 of the panel 10. This through hole 14 has a counterbore 16 at the level of the first face 10.1 which will form the upper face of the tray at the end of the manufacturing method.

[0009] The through hole 14 and the counterbore 16 have sections adapted respectively to those of the body 12.1 and the head 12.2 of the insert 12. This step of producing the through hole 14 and the counterbore 16 requires great precision so that the insert 12 is perfectly adjusted to the through hole 14 and the counterbore 16.

[0010] The manufacturing method comprises a step of gluing the insert 12 and / or the through hole 14 and the counterbore 16 and then a step of positioning the insert 12. As illustrated in part (B) of [Fig.l], the head 12.2 of the insert 12 may be slightly projecting relative to the first face 10.1 of the panel 10 and a gap may be present between the head 12.2 of the insert 12 and the panel 10 at its first face 10.1. In this case, the head 12.2 must be leveled and the gap must be carefully filled.

[0011] When all the inserts 12 have been positioned on the panel 10, the manufacturing method comprises different finishing steps, making it possible to apply a decoration 18 to the first face 10.1 of the panel 10, which consist of grinding the first face 10.1 of the panel 10, applying a decorative film to it, sanding it and varnishing it several times.

[0012] Even if this manufacturing process makes it possible to obtain a resistant, perfectly smooth and flat upper surface, it is not entirely satisfactory because the step of placing the inserts requires great care, which impacts the costs and manufacturing time of the trays.

[0013] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic billiard table comprising a panel having upper and lower faces, a decoration positioned on the upper face of the panel and at least one insert positioned in a through hole which opens at the upper and lower faces of the panel.

[0015] According to the invention, the manufacturing method comprises, prior to a finishing step aimed at producing the decoration, for each insert having a given section: a. a step of producing a first blind hole opening only at the level of a first face among the upper and lower faces of the panel, b. at least one step of casting at least one material into the first blind hole until the material completely fills the first blind hole and has a free surface positioned at or above the plane of the first face of the panel, the material forming after hardening the insert, and c. a step of removing at least a portion of the panel at a second face, different from the first face, among the upper and lower faces of the panel until reaching the insert and forming the through hole.

[0016] This solution makes it possible to obtain inserts with more or less complex shapes by casting each one directly into a cavity in the panel. In addition, since the inserts are cast into the panel, they are perfectly adjusted to their housing and adhere strongly to the panel.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the first blind hole is made from the upper face of the panel. In addition, a second hole is made from the lower face of the panel until it reaches the insert, the first and second holes forming the through hole. This embodiment makes it possible to reduce the quantity of material from the panel removed to release the inserts.

[0018] According to another characteristic, the manufacturing method comprises a leveling step making it possible to remove the excess material so that the insert is flush with the first face of the panel.

[0019] According to another characteristic, the first blind hole has a depth of between 25% and 75% of the thickness of the panel.

[0020] According to another characteristic, each first blind hole comprises a side wall delimiting a section substantially equal to the given section of the insert to be produced as well as a bottom. Thus, it is possible to obtain more or less complex shapes for the insert by machining.

[0021] According to another characteristic, the side wall has a section which increases from the upper face to the lower face of the panel. This solution makes it possible to prevent the insert from coming out of its housing.

[0022] According to another characteristic, the material is a translucent epoxy resin optionally colored by adding at least one pigment depending on the color desired for the insert. Thus, it is possible to obtain the different inserts from the same material, the latter being colored depending on the color of the inserts to be produced. This embodiment offers a large choice of colors for the inserts.

[0023] The invention also relates to an electronic billiard table obtained from the manufacturing method according to one of the preceding characteristics.

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0025] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of different sections of an electronic billiard table illustrating different stages of a manufacturing method according to the prior art,

[0026] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of different sections of a board of electronic billiards illustrating different stages of a manufacturing process according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.3] is a section of an electronic billiard table illustrating a method of rea- lization of the invention,

[0028] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of an electronic billiard table illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

[0029] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.3], an electronic billiard table comprises a table 20 which includes a panel 22 having upper and lower faces 22.1, 22.2, a decoration 24 affixed to the upper face 22.1 of the panel 22 as well as at least one insert 26 positioned in a through hole 28 which opens at the level of the upper and lower faces 22.1, 22.2 of the panel 22. The electronic billiard table comprises at least one light point P positioned at the right of each insert 26, under the table 20.

[0030] Each insert 26 has a given color and section which may be different from one insert to another. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the inserts 26 are made of translucent plastic material.

[0031] A method of manufacturing an electronic billiard table comprises a step of cutting the panel 22.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the panel 22 is made of wood. According to a non-limiting configuration, the panel 22 comprises several plies of plywood. For information purposes, the panel 22 may be made of birch. To give an order of magnitude, the panel 22 has a thickness E (distance between the upper and lower faces 22.1, 22.2) of the order of 10 to 14 mm, as illustrated in part (A) of [Fig.2].

[0033] Of course, the invention is not limited to this material and these thicknesses for the panel 22.

[0034] The method of manufacturing an electronic billiard table comprises, for each insert 26 having a given section, a step of producing a first blind hole 30 opening only at the upper face 22.1. This first blind hole 30 comprises a side wall 30.1 delimiting a section substantially equal to the given section of the insert 26 to be produced as well as a substantially flat bottom 30.2, as illustrated in part (B) of [Fig.2].

[0035] According to one operating mode, the first blind hole 30 is produced by machining using a numerical control for example. This solution makes it possible to produce a first blind hole 30 with more or less complex shapes.

[0036] The side wall 30.1 is substantially perpendicular to the upper face 22.1 of the panel 22 and the bottom 30.2 is substantially parallel to the upper face 22.1. Alternatively, the side wall 30.1 has a section which increases from the upper face 22.1 towards the lower face 22.2.

[0037] According to one arrangement, the first blind hole 30 has a depth P of between 25% and 75% of the thickness E of the panel 22. For information purposes, when the panel 22 has a thickness E of the order of 12 mm, the first blind hole 30 has a depth P of the order of 4 to 6 mm.

[0038] The manufacturing method comprises at least one step of casting at least one translucent material 32 into the first blind hole 30 until the material 32 completely fills the first blind hole 30 and has a free surface 32.1 positioned at or above the plane of the upper face 22.1 of the panel 22, as illustrated in part (C) of [Fig. 2]. The material 32 has a color identical to that of the insert 26 to be produced and, after hardening, forms the insert 26.

[0039] Casting the material 32 makes it possible to obtain, after its hardening, an insert 26 which has a shape identical to that of the first blind hole 30. Thus, it is possible to obtain inserts of different shapes. In addition, according to this operating mode, the insert 26 is adjusted without play to the first blind hole 30 and adheres perfectly to the panel 22.

[0040] The casting step can be carried out in one go. Alternatively, the manufacturing method can comprise several successive casting steps until the first blind hole 30 is filled. During these different casting steps, a single material 32 is cast. Alternatively, several materials 32 are successively cast.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the material 32 is a plastic material, in particular a translucent epoxy resin. It is possible to color it by adding at least one pigment depending on the color desired for the insert 26.

[0042] After hardening of the material 32, the manufacturing method comprises a shaving step making it possible to remove the excess of the material 32 so that the insert 26 is flush with the upper face 22.1 of the panel 22.

[0043] The manufacturing method comprises a step of producing, at the level of each insert 26, a second hole 34 from the lower face 22.2 of the panel 22 until reaching the insert 26. Thus, the first and second holes 30 and 34 form the through hole 28 which opens at the level of the upper and lower faces 22.1, 22.2 of the panel 22.

[0044] According to another embodiment visible in [Fig. 4], the manufacturing method comprises a step of casting a material 36 into the second hole 34. According to one procedure, the materials 32, 36 used to fill the first blind hole 30 and the second hole 34 are identical. According to another procedure, the materials 32, 36 used to fill the first blind hole 30 and the second hole 34 are different. For example, the plastic material 32 cast into the first blind hole 30 is translucent and colorless and the plastic material 36 cast into the second hole 34 is translucent and colored.

[0045] The manufacturing method comprises at least one finishing step aimed at affixing the decoration 24. According to one embodiment, the manufacturing method comprises different finishing steps consisting of grinding the upper face 22.1 of the panel 22, apply a decorative film, sand it and varnish it several times.

[0046] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Alternatively, the first blind hole 30 could be made from the lower face 22.2 of the panel 22 and open only at this lower face 22.2. According to this variant, after the step of pouring the material 32 into the first blind hole 30 and its hardening, the upper face 22.1 of the panel is machined so as to reach the insert 26. Thus, whatever the embodiment and prior to the finishing step, for each insert 26 of given section, the method comprises: a. a step of producing a first blind hole 30 opening only at the level of a first face among the upper and lower faces 22.1, 22.2 of the panel 22, b. a step of pouring a material 32 into the first blind hole 30 until the material 32 completely fills the first blind hole 30 and has a free surface 32.1 positioned at or above the plane of the first face 22.1, the material 32 forming, after hardening, the insert 26, and c. a step of removing at least a portion of the panel at a second face, different from the first face, among the upper and lower faces 22.1, 22.2 of the panel 22 until reaching the insert 26 and forming the through hole 28.

[0047] This solution makes it possible to obtain inserts with more or less complex shapes by casting each one directly into a cavity of the panel 22.

[0048] Finally, the invention is not limited to plastic materials. Thus, the plastic material can be replaced by any other flowable, translucent material.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an electronic billiard table (20) comprising a panel (22) which has upper and lower faces (22.1, 22.2), a decoration (24) positioned on the upper face (22.1) of the panel (22) and at least one insert (26) positioned in a through hole (28) which opens at the upper and lower faces (22.1, 22.2) of the panel (22), the manufacturing method comprising at least one finishing step aimed at producing the decoration (24); characterized in that the manufacturing method comprises, for each insert (26) having a given section, prior to the finishing step: a. a step of producing a first blind hole (30) opening only at a first face among the upper and lower faces (22.1, 22.2) of the panel (22), b.at least one step of casting at least one material (32) into the first blind hole (30) until the material (32) completely fills the first blind hole (30) and has a free surface (32.1) positioned at or above the plane of the first face of the panel, the material (32) forming after hardening the insert (26), and c. a step of removing at least a portion of the panel (22) at a second face, different from the first face, among the upper and lower faces (22.1, 22.2) of the panel (22) until reaching the insert (26) and forming the through hole (28).

2. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first blind hole (30) is made from the upper face (22.1) of the panel (22) and in that the removal step consists of making a second hole (34) from the lower face (22.2) of the panel (22) until reaching the insert (26), the first and second holes (30, 34) forming the through hole (28).

3. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manufacturing method comprises a leveling step making it possible to remove the surplus of the cast material (32) so that the insert (26) is flush with the first face among the upper faces and lower (22.1, 22.2) of the panel (22).

4. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first blind hole (30) has a depth (P) of between 25% and 75% of the thickness (E) of the panel (22).

5. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each first blind hole (30) comprises a side wall (30.1) delimiting a section substantially equal to the given section of the insert (26) to be produced as well as a bottom (30.2).

6. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the side wall (30.1) is substantially perpendicular to the upper face (22.1) of the panel (22).

7. Manufacturing method according to claim 5, characterized in that the side wall (30.1) has a section which increases from the upper face (22.1) towards the lower face (22.2).

8. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material (32) is a translucent epoxy resin optionally colored by adding at least one pigment depending on the color desired for the insert (26).

9. Electronic billiard table obtained from the manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Electronic billiards table comprising a table obtained from the manufacturing method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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