US20100283201A1 - Pinball table/dining table combination - Google Patents

Pinball table/dining table combination Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100283201A1
US20100283201A1 US12/436,709 US43670909A US2010283201A1 US 20100283201 A1 US20100283201 A1 US 20100283201A1 US 43670909 A US43670909 A US 43670909A US 2010283201 A1 US2010283201 A1 US 2010283201A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
pinball machine
dining table
pinball
transparent observation
machine
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/436,709
Inventor
Erik N. Qua
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/436,709 priority Critical patent/US20100283201A1/en
Publication of US20100283201A1 publication Critical patent/US20100283201A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B1/00—Extensible tables
    • A47B1/04—Extensible tables with supplementary leaves or drop leaves arranged at the periphery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B13/00—Details of tables or desks
    • A47B13/08—Table tops; Rims therefor
    • A47B13/12—Transparent tops, e.g. with lighting means under the table top
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B25/00—Card tables; Tables for other games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/36—Constructional details not covered by groups A63F7/24 - A63F7/34, i.e. constructional details of rolling boards, rims or play tables, e.g. frame, game boards, guide tracks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/36—Constructional details not covered by groups A63F7/24 - A63F7/34, i.e. constructional details of rolling boards, rims or play tables, e.g. frame, game boards, guide tracks
    • A63F2007/3674—Details of play tables, designed as a table
    • A63F2007/3677—Details of play tables, designed as a table with a cover remaining over the table during playing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/36—Constructional details not covered by groups A63F7/24 - A63F7/34, i.e. constructional details of rolling boards, rims or play tables, e.g. frame, game boards, guide tracks
    • A63F2007/3674—Details of play tables, designed as a table
    • A63F2007/3677—Details of play tables, designed as a table with a cover remaining over the table during playing
    • A63F2007/3681—Details of play tables, designed as a table with a cover remaining over the table during playing with a transparent dome
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/02—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks using falling playing bodies or playing bodies running on an inclined surface, e.g. pinball games

Definitions

  • This invention relates to furniture for recreational use in a commercial environment.
  • the present invention addresses the need for table that will hold drinks and food while allowing a pinball machine player to see the display surface of the game he is playing. There is a need for specialized furniture that will allow pinball players to eat and drink while using the equipment, instead of placing their plates and glasses on the machine itself.
  • the present invention is comprised of a table made out of a rigid material that possesses four table legs and associated bracing members.
  • the table possesses a transparent panel in its upper surface large enough to allow an unobstructed view of an underlying pinball machine's display surface, as well as a surrounding ledge that is wide enough to hold beverage glasses and small food plates.
  • the purpose of the invention is to allow pinball players to play while enjoying food and drink, without requiring them to place their glasses and plates on the glass surface of the pinball machine.
  • This invention reduces dish and glass breakage and damage to the glass pinball machine cover, and reduces the need to clean the pinball machine glass of stains and beverage glass rings.
  • the present invention has several objectives.
  • FIG. 1 Perspective view of the invention
  • FIG. 2 Side view of the invention
  • FIG. 3 Front view of the invention
  • the invention 100 is comprised of a table-like structure constructed from rigid materials, as in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , and FIG. 3 .
  • the invention 100 possesses a plurality of legs 101 , a plurality of cross members 102 , decorative corbels 103 , a plurality of shelves 104 and a removable clear observation surface 105 .
  • the rigid material comprising the invention 100 is wood, there are four legs 101 as shown in FIG. 1 , and there are two shelves 104 .
  • An alternate embodiment consists of shelves 104 that fold down and corbels 103 that fold out of the way to permit this.
  • An alternate rigid material that comprises the invention 100 is plastic.
  • the invention 100 is sized to fit around the body of a pinball machine (in outline), as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the control buttons on the side of the pinball machine and pull-back ball starter and start button on the front of the machine are easily available with the invention 100 in place, and the pinball back display and playing surface are clearly visible.
  • Players can rest their eating implements, plates, and drinks on the shelves 104 or on the clear observation surface 105 , without marking or damaging the pinball machine itself.
  • the observation surface 105 can be removed for easy cleaning, and to permit inspection of the pinball machine.
  • the legs 101 and cross members 102 can be removed and reattached to permit easy fitting of the invention 100 around the pinball machine.

Abstract

A piece of specialized furniture is presented which permits the use of a pinball machine while holding beverage glasses and dining utensils and plates. The furniture is constructed from wood or plastic and possesses a transparent observation panel in its upper surface that allows unobstructed viewing of the pinball machine playing area, and allows access to the paddle buttons and ball starting controls.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates to furniture for recreational use in a commercial environment.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention addresses the need for table that will hold drinks and food while allowing a pinball machine player to see the display surface of the game he is playing. There is a need for specialized furniture that will allow pinball players to eat and drink while using the equipment, instead of placing their plates and glasses on the machine itself.
  • There are several entertainment devices that combine a game with another feature, such as U.S. Pat. No. D251,515 to Richter, but there are no prior art devices that comprise a separate covering table that can be attached to a standard-sized pinball machine. The advantages of the present invention over prior art devices are apparent, and the device itself is easy to manufacture and keep clean, requiring no retrofitting of the gaming apparatus to be used.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is comprised of a table made out of a rigid material that possesses four table legs and associated bracing members. The table possesses a transparent panel in its upper surface large enough to allow an unobstructed view of an underlying pinball machine's display surface, as well as a surrounding ledge that is wide enough to hold beverage glasses and small food plates.
  • The purpose of the invention is to allow pinball players to play while enjoying food and drink, without requiring them to place their glasses and plates on the glass surface of the pinball machine. This invention reduces dish and glass breakage and damage to the glass pinball machine cover, and reduces the need to clean the pinball machine glass of stains and beverage glass rings.
    • OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention has several objectives.
  • It is an objective of the present invention to provide a table with a transparent upper surface that overlays a standard-sized pinball machine.
  • It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such a table in a low-cost configuration.
  • It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such a table in a configuration that requires no retrofitting of standard-sized pinball machines.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1. Perspective view of the invention
  • FIG. 2. Side view of the invention
  • FIG. 3. Front view of the invention
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The invention 100 is comprised of a table-like structure constructed from rigid materials, as in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. The invention 100 possesses a plurality of legs 101, a plurality of cross members 102, decorative corbels 103, a plurality of shelves 104 and a removable clear observation surface 105. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, The rigid material comprising the invention 100 is wood, there are four legs 101 as shown in FIG. 1, and there are two shelves 104.
  • An alternate embodiment consists of shelves 104 that fold down and corbels 103 that fold out of the way to permit this. An alternate rigid material that comprises the invention 100 is plastic.
  • The invention 100 is sized to fit around the body of a pinball machine (in outline), as shown in FIG. 1. The control buttons on the side of the pinball machine and pull-back ball starter and start button on the front of the machine are easily available with the invention 100 in place, and the pinball back display and playing surface are clearly visible.
  • Players can rest their eating implements, plates, and drinks on the shelves 104 or on the clear observation surface 105, without marking or damaging the pinball machine itself. The observation surface 105 can be removed for easy cleaning, and to permit inspection of the pinball machine. The legs 101 and cross members 102 can be removed and reattached to permit easy fitting of the invention 100 around the pinball machine.
  • While the foregoing describes a preferred mode and an alternate embodiment, variation on this design and equivalent methods may be resorted to in the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Claims (4)

1. A pinball machine dining table, the dining table comprised of a flat upper surface, a plurality of sides, and a plurality of supporting legs,
The upper surface possessing a transparent observation surface in its center with a plurality of surrounding shelves,
The transparent observation surface sized to permit a clear view of an underlying industry-standard pinball machine,
The pinball machine dining table sized to cover and surround the pinball machine.
2. A pinball machine as in claim 1 where the upper surface is rectangular in shape and there are two surrounding shelves.
3. A pinball machine as in claim 1 where the surrounding shelves are held up by decorative corbels attached to the sides of the dining table.
4. A method of using a pinball machine dining table, as in claim 1, comprised of the steps of
installing the pinball machine dining table around an industry-standard pinball machine,
positioning the upper surface of the pinball machine dining table such that the transparent observation surface is directly over the industry-standard pinball machine,
placing beverage glasses and dining plates on the surrounding shelves,
operating the pinball machine while observing the pinball machine through the transparent observation surface.
US12/436,709 2009-05-06 2009-05-06 Pinball table/dining table combination Abandoned US20100283201A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/436,709 US20100283201A1 (en) 2009-05-06 2009-05-06 Pinball table/dining table combination

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/436,709 US20100283201A1 (en) 2009-05-06 2009-05-06 Pinball table/dining table combination

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100283201A1 true US20100283201A1 (en) 2010-11-11

Family

ID=43061883

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/436,709 Abandoned US20100283201A1 (en) 2009-05-06 2009-05-06 Pinball table/dining table combination

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130067713A1 (en) * 2011-09-19 2013-03-21 Phillip Myer Assembly of a wooden lamp with detachable and re-attachable wooden corbels

Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US866153A (en) * 1906-12-31 1907-09-17 Lewis W Miller Combined ironing-board, chest, and table.
US2035718A (en) * 1933-01-30 1936-03-31 Perl Albert Henry Franks Support for drop leaves for folding tables and like articles
US2043797A (en) * 1935-02-13 1936-06-09 Elizabeth M Horn Food cooking and service table
US2150515A (en) * 1938-10-22 1939-03-14 Exhibit Supply Company Game apparatus
US2423247A (en) * 1944-04-06 1947-07-01 Nurre Companies Inc Table construction
US2750243A (en) * 1954-07-06 1956-06-12 William A Zielfeldt Foldable table with hinged top
US2815529A (en) * 1956-10-23 1957-12-10 Iona L Herbolsheimer Hinge for drop leaf tables
US3582074A (en) * 1967-08-10 1971-06-01 Vincenzo Menotti Surface ball game with oppositely inclined playing surfaces
US3675927A (en) * 1970-06-10 1972-07-11 Gottlieb & Co D Two-player pinball machine
US4066023A (en) * 1977-01-24 1978-01-03 Hughes Kingdon R Copy machine table
USD251515S (en) * 1977-08-12 1979-04-03 Allied Leisure Industries, Inc. Combined refreshment table and pinball machine casing
US4261266A (en) * 1979-05-14 1981-04-14 Design Institute America Extensible table
US4380335A (en) * 1978-08-11 1983-04-19 Michael Wichinsky Pinball game apparatus
US4572081A (en) * 1982-12-01 1986-02-25 Copeland Timothy E Convertible dining table and work counter
USD305842S (en) * 1987-01-15 1990-02-06 Herr Theodore W Table or similar article
US5294193A (en) * 1990-10-11 1994-03-15 Nova Manufacturing & Assembly, Inc. Modular desk with adjustable monitor support
US5410972A (en) * 1992-05-19 1995-05-02 Nova Manufacturing & Assembly, Inc. Adjustable monitor suspending assembly
US5465963A (en) * 1994-05-17 1995-11-14 Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Height adjustable pinball game cabinet
US5465965A (en) * 1994-03-18 1995-11-14 Sega Pinball, Inc. Rotating pinball bridge and drop
US5662395A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-09-02 Nova Solutions, Inc. Underdesk computer desk structure with antireflecting viewing window
US5722656A (en) * 1996-11-04 1998-03-03 Dickerson; Lyle G. Machine to play game with rolling balls and dispense the balls as prizes
US20080315733A1 (en) * 2007-06-22 2008-12-25 Terry Bosch Modular Monitor Support Apparatus

Patent Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US866153A (en) * 1906-12-31 1907-09-17 Lewis W Miller Combined ironing-board, chest, and table.
US2035718A (en) * 1933-01-30 1936-03-31 Perl Albert Henry Franks Support for drop leaves for folding tables and like articles
US2043797A (en) * 1935-02-13 1936-06-09 Elizabeth M Horn Food cooking and service table
US2150515A (en) * 1938-10-22 1939-03-14 Exhibit Supply Company Game apparatus
US2423247A (en) * 1944-04-06 1947-07-01 Nurre Companies Inc Table construction
US2750243A (en) * 1954-07-06 1956-06-12 William A Zielfeldt Foldable table with hinged top
US2815529A (en) * 1956-10-23 1957-12-10 Iona L Herbolsheimer Hinge for drop leaf tables
US3582074A (en) * 1967-08-10 1971-06-01 Vincenzo Menotti Surface ball game with oppositely inclined playing surfaces
US3675927A (en) * 1970-06-10 1972-07-11 Gottlieb & Co D Two-player pinball machine
US4066023A (en) * 1977-01-24 1978-01-03 Hughes Kingdon R Copy machine table
USD251515S (en) * 1977-08-12 1979-04-03 Allied Leisure Industries, Inc. Combined refreshment table and pinball machine casing
US4380335A (en) * 1978-08-11 1983-04-19 Michael Wichinsky Pinball game apparatus
US4261266A (en) * 1979-05-14 1981-04-14 Design Institute America Extensible table
US4572081A (en) * 1982-12-01 1986-02-25 Copeland Timothy E Convertible dining table and work counter
USD305842S (en) * 1987-01-15 1990-02-06 Herr Theodore W Table or similar article
US5294193A (en) * 1990-10-11 1994-03-15 Nova Manufacturing & Assembly, Inc. Modular desk with adjustable monitor support
US5410972A (en) * 1992-05-19 1995-05-02 Nova Manufacturing & Assembly, Inc. Adjustable monitor suspending assembly
US5465965A (en) * 1994-03-18 1995-11-14 Sega Pinball, Inc. Rotating pinball bridge and drop
US5465963A (en) * 1994-05-17 1995-11-14 Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Height adjustable pinball game cabinet
US5662395A (en) * 1995-06-07 1997-09-02 Nova Solutions, Inc. Underdesk computer desk structure with antireflecting viewing window
US5722656A (en) * 1996-11-04 1998-03-03 Dickerson; Lyle G. Machine to play game with rolling balls and dispense the balls as prizes
US20080315733A1 (en) * 2007-06-22 2008-12-25 Terry Bosch Modular Monitor Support Apparatus

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130067713A1 (en) * 2011-09-19 2013-03-21 Phillip Myer Assembly of a wooden lamp with detachable and re-attachable wooden corbels

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