Amusement devices: games – Games accessories – Game supporting tables or surfaces
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-10
2001-04-24
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Games accessories
Game supporting tables or surfaces
C273S287000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220598
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to gaming table coverings. Specifically, the present invention is a protective skirt which covers at least a portion of the playing surface of a gaming table.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gaming tables known in the art typically have flat, solid surfaces covered by a fabric such as felt. However, it is known in the art that the fabric covering the playing surface of gaming tables is subject to wear and damage requiring frequent replacement of the fabric covering. Aside from the normal wear of cards rubbing on the surface and players resting arms, hands, elbows, and the like on the surface, the playing surface may be damaged by condensation from drinks, spills, cigarette and cigar burns, and the like to such an extent that replacement of the playing surface fabric is required. The frequent replacement of such playing surface fabric adds to the costs, in both money and labor, associated with operating a casino.
Often a player will be supplied with a napkin, coaster, or other means of catching condensation from a drink container. However, such devices do not necessarily prevent condensation from reaching the playing surface fabric. For example, if a napkin becomes saturated, the excess condensation will be absorbed by the playing surface fabric. Moreover, the mere rubbing of the napkin, coaster, ash tray, or the like on the playing surface fabric will cause wear and, eventually, necessitate replacement.
Thus, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a device which overlays at least a portion of the playing surface to prevent wear of the playing surface fabric.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is used in conjunction with a gaming table of the type including a player area and a dealer area, said gaming table including a rail covering the margin of the gaming table at the player area. The present invention is a skirt having an outer edge and an inner edge. The outer edge of the skirt is disposed proximate the rail so that the skirt extends to overlay at least a portion of the player area of the gaming table surface. The inner edge is optionally tapered to facilitate the sliding of playing cards across the inner edge.
In an optional embodiment, the skirt is secured from movement by securing the outer edge of the skirt between the rail and the gaming table. In a further optional embodiment, the skirt has a shape that conforms to the gaming table at the player area. That is, the skirt is formed or shaped such that the shape of the skirt corresponds to the shape of the gaming table at the player area. For example, in one optional embodiment specifically designed for use with gaming tables having an arcuate shape at the player area, the skirt has a substantially arcuate shape.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to overlay at least a portion of the playing surface of a gaming table to protect the gaming table surface from wear and damage.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3785419 (1974-01-01), Sherlock
patent: 4158905 (1979-06-01), O'Leary
patent: 4170181 (1979-10-01), Glasgow
patent: 5069554 (1991-12-01), Bonnett
patent: 5084321 (1992-01-01), Sui
patent: 5715553 (1998-02-01), Baron
patent: 5908681 (1999-06-01), Foster
Bossung Wayne
Kweitko Ira
Layno Benjamin H.
Mendiratta Vishu
Quirk & Tratos
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