Shuffleboard protection

Abstract

A shuffleboard table comprising a playing block 12 separated from an outer housing 14 by a trough 16 and with a guard 50 attached along at least one edge of the playing block. There may be a transpare

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a shuffleboard table. BACKGROUND A shuffleboard table typically includes a long wooden table on which players take turns to slide plastic-capped metal pucks from one end of the table to the other. The surface on which the pucks are thrown may be considered as a playing block comprising a wooden table. If a puck slides off the playing block, it falls into a trough or well that surrounds the periphery of the playing block. The game of shuffleboard has increased in popularity in recent years and can be found in a growing number of commercial and entertainment venues. Largely but not solely through the use of technology, many commercial and entertainment venues have also introduced different games that can be played on a shuffleboard table. This has led to a significantly greater number of different players using on a table on a regular basis (e.g. 12 hours a day and 7 days a week) as well as a player spending longer times before a table whilst they consider their next shot, especially due to the new and different games and rules being available. The increased use of shuffleboard tables (the number of different players and time spent deliberating a shot) has resulted in increased damage to the tables, which in turn requires more frequent repair and maintenance of the tables to provide a premium entertainment environment and to ensure optimum user experience. An object of the present invention is to increase the durability of shuffleboard tables whilst maintaining a positive user experience. SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a shuffleboard table comprising: a playing block separated from an outer housing by a trough; and one or more guards attached along at least one edge of the playing block. It has been found that some players contemplating their next shot may knock or bang their puck against the playing block of a shuffleboard table. This can dent, crack, chip or otherwise damage the playing surface or edge(s) of the playing block. Attaching a guard along an edge of the playing block advantageously protects the one or more edges of the playing block from impact with a metal puck. It has also been found that providing an attachable guard piece that can be separated from the shuffleboard playing block allows the protective guard to be easily replaced or repaired. Shuffleboard tables can be set up at different heights, and it has also been found that playing surfaces which are arranged at a higher height can make it more conducive for players to lean on the outer housing of the shuffleboard table and knock pucks against the playing block. The present invention provides effective protection for the playing block across different setups and configurations of a shuffleboard table. Preferably, the playing block comprises a transparent top layer, and wherein the one or more guards are positioned next to the transparent top layer. Playing blocks may comprise a top layer comprising a polymeric material, such as acrylic. When a metal puck is knocked against a polymeric or plastic top layer, in particular the edge of the top layer, the top layer can crack or chip. Fixing or repairing the transparent top layer can be difficult (e.g. since it may require the replacement of the entire top layer) and can also be very costly and unsightly. By positioning a guard against or adjacent to the transparent top layer, the at least one edge of the transparent top layer of the playing block can be effectively protected from physical damage and removes the problem in its entirety. The transparent top layer may comprise a cut-out section to expose the playing block portion beneath (for example the wooden table). The guard may be shaped and / or positioned to substantially fit in the cut-out section and be attached directly to the playing block portion beneath the transparent top layer. Preferably, the one or more guards are attached to a top surface and / or a side surface of the playing block. Typically a player may bang a puck against a top surface or a side surface (and / or directly against the edge where the top and side surfaces meet) of the playing block while contemplating a throw. By arranging the guard(s) to a top surface and / or side surface of the playing block, the at least one edge of the playing block can be effectively shielded from direct impact from a puck. Preferably, the one or more guards are positioned at a throwing end of the playing block. Players typically stand at or around the throwing end or ends of a shuffleboard table whilst they consider how to throw their puck. Positioning the guard(s) at a throwing end most effectively ensures that the playing block is protected from the knocking of a puck or from poor throws. Preferably, the one or more guards comprises a U-shape. Preferably, the U-shaped guard(s) comprises: a central section comprising two ends, the central section configured to fully extend along an edge at a throwing end of the playing block; and two side sections, each extending from a respective end of the central section, wherein each side section is configured to extend along at least a portion of an edge of a respective side of the playing block. Preferably, the central section and the two side sections each have a width of approximately 1 cm. Preferably, each side section has a respective length of at least 5 cm, preferably 10 cm, more preferably 15 cm. Preferably the central section and the side sections of the guard each comprise a thickness of at least approximately 0.5 cm. The above dimensions provide a preferred configuration of the one or more guards which has the physical integrity to withstand knocks or bangs from pucks whilst providing sufficient physical protection to the edges of the playing block. As will be appreciated different dimensions, e.g. widths, lengths and thicknesses, will be readily apparent to the skilled person. Different guard designs will also be apparent to the skilled person. For example, the guard(s) may only comprise a straight section that extends along the edge at the throwing end of the playing block. Another example may be that guard(s) comprising two separate L-shaped sections which are arranged at the corners of the playing block at the corners of the throwing end. In yet another example, one or more guards may be arranged along all the edges of the playing block such that the entire perimeter of the playing block is protected. The shuffleboard table of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more guards comprise at least one of: a metallic material, wood, a polymeric material, or a composite material. The metallic material may be a metal such as brass, stainless steel, or a ferrous alloy. The polymeric material may be, for example, a plastic material or rubber. The composite material may be a composite wood, or reinforced plastic for example. As will be appreciated, suitable materials would be apparent to the skilled person. The one or more guards may comprise one or more fasteners, preferably wherein the one of more fasteners include at least one of: a rod, a bolt, or a magnet. In this way, the guard(s) can be more securely attached to the playing block. Preferably, the playing block comprises one or more cavities. The shuffleboard table may further comprise one or more magnets respectively provided in the one or more cavities. In an example, the guard(s) may comprise a magnetic material and can be attached to the playing guard and held in position by magnetic force. The one or more cavities of the playing block may each be configured to receive the one or more fasteners of the guard(s). In an example, a rod of a guard can be inserted into a cavity which may be filled with an adhesive. In another example, a nut may be provided in the cavity to receive a bolt of a guard. In yet another example, a magnetic fastener of the guard may interact with a corresponding magnet in a cavity in the playing block. Preferably, a top surface of the one or more guards are arranged to be in a same plane as a top surface of the playing block. In this way, the guard(s) does not interfere with the travel of a puck at the edge(s) of playing block. Preferably, a top surface of the one or more guard(s) is arranged to be higher than a top surface of the playing block. In this way, the guard(s) can be used to catch or slow down pucks that are returned to a throwing end of the shuffleboard table, for example in one-ended shuffleboards where gameplay is only from one end of the playing block. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figures 1A and 1B are schematic views of a shuffleboard table according to the invention; Figure 1C is a schematic view of another shuffleboard table according to the invention; Figure 2A is a top view of an end of a shuffleboard table comprising a guard according to the invention; Figure 2B is a perspective view of the shuffleboard table according the invention; Figure 3A is a top view of a shuffleboard table guard; Figure 3A is a perspective view of the shuffleboard table guard; Figure 3C is another perspective view of the shuffleboard table guard. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1A and 1B show a side and top view of a shuffleboard table 10 respectively. The shuffleboard table 10 includes a playing block 12 that is arranged inside an outer housing 14 orbox. The outer housing 14 extends around the perimeter of the playing block 12 creating a well or trough 16 between the playing block 12 and the outer housing 14. The playing block 12 has a top surface 18 on which a puck 20 can be thrown and can slide. The playing block 12 has a throwing end 22 and a scoring end 24. The playing block 12 includes a wooden block 26 with a transparent top layer 28 which can be made of a polymeric or plastic material, such as acrylic. The transparent top layer 28 may have substantially the same length and width dimensions as the wooden block 26. Some shuffleboard tables do not include a transparent top layer and the playing surface is the top surface of the wooden block 26. As an example, the top surface 18 of the playing block 12 may have length dimensions of 12 foot to 22 foot and a width of 16 inches to 20 inches. The shuffleboard table 10 may be used as a double-ended playing table where pucks can be thrown from either end of the table, or the shuffleboard table 10 may be used as a single-ended playing table, in which the table has a set / designated throwing end 22 and set I designated scoring end 24. In the specific example of Figures 1Aand 1B, the shuffleboard table 10 is used a single-ended table where there is a designated throwing end 22 and a designated scoring end 24. When play begins a player stands at or around the throwing end 22 and throws a puck 20 down the sliding surface 18 of the playing block 20. Before making their throw, the player may spend some time contemplating their throw or deciding what throw to make. The player may be holding a puck 20 in their hand and knock or bang the puck 20 against an edge 30 or comer 32 of the playing block 12. This can damage the edge 30 or comer 32 of the playing block 12, which shortens the useable lifetime of the playing block 12 before needing repair or replacement. As will be appreciated, the damage may be sustained by the transparent top layer 28 of the playing block 12 and / or the wooden block 26 of the playing block 12 beneath. To overcome this problem, a guard 50 is arranged at the throwing end 22 of the playing block 12. In the specific example of Figures 1Aand 1B, a single guard 50 is arranged at the throwing end 22 of the playing block 12. Figure 1C shows another example of a double-ended playing table 10 where there is a guard 50 arranged at both ends of the playing block 12 (i.e. where the shuffleboard table 10 has two throwing ends 22). In yet another example, not shown, the guard 50 may be arranged around the whole perimeter of the playing block 12. In yet another example, not shown, multiple guard pieces may be arranged along one or more edges of the playing block. Figures 2A and 2B show different views of a throwing end 22 of the playing block 12, where the shuffleboard table 10 comprises a guard 50 provided at the throwing end 22 of the playing block 12 and positioned along the edge of the throwing end 22. The guard 50 has a U-shape comprising a central section 52 and two side sections 54. Each side section 52 extends perpendicularly from a respective end of the central section 52. The central section 52 has a same length as the width of the playing block 12 and runs along the entire length of the throwing end 22 edge of the playing block 12. As an example, the length of the central section may be 40 cm or 50 cm, which are typical width dimensions of a shuffleboard table playing block. The skilled person would understand that different lengths and different numbers of guard pieces may be used. Aside section 52 runs along the edge of a side of the playing block 12 (i.e. along a side length of the playing block 12). In this example, a side section 52 has a length of approximately 18 cm. In other examples, a side section may be longer or shorter than 18 cm, such as 20 cm or 10 cm. As another example, the side sections of a guard 50 may run along the edge of the playing block 12 across its entire length (e.g. 12 foot to 22 foot) and its entire width (e.g. 16 inches to 20 inches). As will be appreciated, one or more guards may be arranged along all edges of the playing block 12. The central section 52 and side sections 54 each has a width of approximately 1 cm and a thickness of approximately 0.5cm. Figure 2B shows that the guard 50 is positioned on top of the playing block 12. In this example, the playing block 12 comprises a transparent top layer 28 which has a substantially same thickness as the guard 50. The transparent top layer 28 thus has a cut-out section, where the cut-out section has substantially the same dimensions as the guard 50 on the wooden block 26 such that the transparent top layer 28 and the guard 50 arranged together have substantially the same length and width dimensions as the wooden block 26 below. In this example, the guard 50 is attached directly to the wooden block 26. Accordingly, the top surface of the transparent top layer 28 is level (i.e. on the same plane) as the top surface of the guard 50 such that a throw or the travel of a puck would not be impeded by the guard 50. The cut-out section in a transparent top layer 28, or a wooden block 26, may be made by using a router or another cutting technique. In another example (not shown), the guard 50 may have a different thickness to the transparent top layer 28 such as a greater thickness so that the top surface of the guard 50 is higher than the top surface of the transparent top layer 28. In this way, the guard 50 can act as a barrier to catch or slow down pucks returning to the throwing end 22 of the playing block 12. In yet another example, the playing block 12 may not include a transparent top layer and the playing surface is the top surface of the wooden block 26. In this example, the guard 50 may be attached to the top surface of the wooden block 26 such that the guard 50 is higher than the playing surface of the wooden block 26. Alternatively, the wooden block 26 may be cut to fit the guard 50 at the throwing end 22 such that the top surface of the guard 50 is flush with the playing surface. In this specific example, the guard comprises a metallic material. As will be appreciated, the guard may comprise other or alternative materials. The surface of the guard 50 may be finished in different ways, such as a powder coated finish, or painted, or antique-style finish, according to design requirements. Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show different perspectives of the guard 50 out of position (i.e. not attached to the playing block 12). Figure 3A shows a top view of a portion of the central section 52 and a right-hand side section 54. As explained above, the side section 54 extends from an end of the central section 52 to run along a side of the playing block 12. When a player is positioned toward the throwing end 22 of the shuffleboard table 10, the player is not expected to bang or knock a puck along the entire side length of a playing block 12. Therefore the side section 54 is arranged to only extend along a portion of the side of the playing block 12 (e.g. where the side section has a length of 18 cm) from the throwing end 12 of the 5 playing block 12. Accordingly, a side section 54 has an open end 56. In Figure 3Athe open end 56 is curved. Alternatively the open end 56 may be straight. It is also possible to extend a side section across an entire length of the playing block. Figure 3B shows a perspective view of the guard 50. The guard 50 comprises a 10 plurality of bolts 58 or rods, where a bolt is arranged at each end of a side section 56 (which should also be understood to mean a bolt arranged at each end of the central section). Figure 3C shows a bottom perspective view of the guard 50, i.e. a guard 50 placed upside -down, where the bolts 58 extend upwardly from the side sections 56. 15 To attach the guard 50 to the playing block 12, holes or cavities are drilled into the playing block 12 into which the bolts 58 can be inserted. An adhesive may be provided in the holes to glue and set the guard 50 into position. Alternative attachment techniques, such as using nuts or magnets may also be used to hold the guard 50 in position.

Claims

1. A shuffleboard table comprising:a playing block separated from an outer housing by a trough; and one or more guards attached along at least one edge of the playing block.

2. The shuffleboard table of claim 1, wherein the playing block comprises a transparent top layer, and wherein the one or more guards are positioned next to the transparent top layer.

3. The shuffleboard table of claims 1 or 2, wherein the one or more guards are attached to a top surface and / or a side surface of the playing block.

4. The shuffleboard table of claims 1,2 or 3, wherein the one or more guards are positioned at a throwing end of the playing block.

5. The shuffleboard table of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more guards comprise a U-shape.

6. The shuffleboard table of claim 5, wherein the U-shaped guard(s) comprises:a central section comprising two ends, the central section configured to fully extend along an edge at a throwing end of the playing block; andtwo side sections, each extending from a respective end of the central section, wherein each side section is configured to extend along at least a portion of an edge of a respective side of the playing block.

7. The shuffleboard table of claim 6, wherein the central section and the two side sections each have a width of approximately 1 cm.

8. The shuffleboard table of claims 6 or 7, wherein each side section has a respective length of at least 5 cm, preferably 10 cm, more preferably 15 cm.

9. The shuffleboard table of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more guards comprise at least one of: a metallic material, wood, a polymeric material, or a composite material.

10. The shuffleboard table of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more guards further comprise one or more fasteners, preferably wherein the one of more fasteners include at least one of: a rod, a bolt, or a magnet.

11. The shuffleboard table of any of the preceding claims, wherein the playing 5 block comprises one or more cavities.

12. The shuffleboard table of claim 11 comprising one or more magnets respectively provided in the one or more cavities.

13. The shuffleboard table of claims 10 and 11 or 12, wherein the one or more cavities of the playing block are each configured to receive the one or more 10 fasteners of the guard(s).

14. The shuffleboard table of any of the preceding claims, wherein a top surface of the one or more guards are arranged to be in a same plane as a top surface of the playing block.

15. The shuffleboard table of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein a top surface of 15 the one or more guards are arranged to be higher than a top surface of the playing block.12

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