Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Table-tennis table
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-22
2004-05-04
Vidovich, Gregory (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Table-tennis table
C473S014000, C108S059000, C108S011000, C108S090000, C273S309000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06729982
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a table tennis table. More particularly, this invention relates to a table tennis table capable of conversion to different forms to enable the playing of different table tennis games. This invention also relates to a kit for converting a table tennis table to enable the playing of different kinds of table tennis games. This invention additionally relates to a method for modifying a table tennis table to assume different forms for accommodating the playing of different table tennis type games.
Table tennis has long been popular in the game rooms of America and across the world, offering recreation for novice players and intense competition among the finest. The game, however, is limited in that only two players can participate at a time, and frequent interruptions in play result when a ball is bounced out of bounds and off the table. Furthermore, there is a natural desire to seek variety in recreation, whereas the standard table tennis table is useful only for the traditional game of table tennis.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a table tennis table.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a table tennis table capable of selectively accommodating alternative games.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a retrofit assembly for use with standard table tennis tables, capable of selectively accommodating alternative games.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of modifying a table tennis table to selectively accommodate alternative games.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of playing a table tennis game.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A table tennis table comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a main panel defining a playing surface and having a pair of opposing edges, a frame connected to the playing surface for supporting the playing surface in a horizontal orientation, a pair of substantially rigid auxiliary panels, and adjustable mounting elements mounting the auxiliary panels to the frame along respective ones of the edges so that the auxiliary panels each have a first orientation extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the main panel and an alternate second orientation substantially coplanar with the main panel to extend the playing surface of the main panel. A table tennis net is connected perpendicular to the playing surface and extends transversely along a midline thereof.
Where the opposing edges are major edges of the main panel and extend parallel to a length dimension of the main panel, the auxiliary panels serve to laterally extend the playing surface when the auxiliary panels are disposed in the second orientation. In this case, the net can be adjusted to a first effective length to extend only across the playing surface when the auxiliary panels are in the first orientation and to a second effective length to extend across the playing surface and the auxiliary panels when the auxiliary panels are in the second orientation. Means are connected to the net for maintaining the net at the first effective length and alternately at the second effective length.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the adjustable mounting elements include means for mounting the auxiliary panels to the frame along respective ones of the edges so that the auxiliary panels have a third orientation extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the main panel and upwardly from the main panel. A bracket may be connected to the frame for attaching the auxiliary panels alternately in the second orientation and the third orientation. The bracket may include a pair of legs of different effective lengths, one length for supporting the auxiliary panels in the second orientation and another length in combination with the one length for supporting the auxiliary panels in the third orientation.
In accordance with a supplementary or alternative feature of the present invention, the adjustable mounting elements include a plurality of brackets each connected at one end thereof to the frame and at an opposite end thereof to one of the auxiliary panels. The brackets may each take the form of a slidable linkage. In that case, the adjustable mounting elements further include tension cords each extending between the frame and the linkage for drawing the linkage toward the frame.
Where the playing surface is provided with a downwardly depending skirt, the adjustable mounting elements may include a plurality of brackets removably connected to the skirt, the adjustable mounting elements further including means on the auxiliary panels for cooperating with the brackets to support the auxiliary panels on the brackets. The brackets each preferably includes an L-shaped portion, the means for cooperating being notches.
In accordance with another alternative feature of the present invention, the adjustable mounting elements include a plurality of double acting hinges each connected to the main panel and one of the auxiliary panels.
A kit in accordance with the present invention is provided for modifying a table tennis table including a main panel defining a playing surface and having a pair of opposing edges, the table further including a frame connected to the playing surface for supporting the playing surface in a horizontal orientation. The kit comprises a pair of substantially rigid auxiliary panels, adjustable mounting elements for attaching the auxiliary panels to the frame along respective ones of the opposing edges of the main panel so that the auxiliary panels have a first orientation extending substantially perpendicular to the playing surface and an alternate second orientation substantially coplanar with the playing surface to extend the playing surface. A net is connectable perpendicular to the playing surface and extends transversely along a midline thereof.
Where the opposing edges are major edges of the main panel and extend parallel to a length dimension of the main panel, the auxiliary panels serve to laterally extend the playing surface when the auxiliary panels are disposed in the second orientation. In this case, the net can be adjusted to a first effective length to extend only across the playing surface when the auxiliary panels are in the first orientation and to a second effective length to extend across the playing surface and the auxiliary panels when the auxiliary panels are in the second orientation. Means connected to the net for maintaining the net at the first effective length and alternately at the second effective length.
The present invention is also directed to a method for modifying a table tennis table to provide alternative games, where the table tennis table includes a main panel defining a playing surface and having a pair of opposing edges and further includes a frame connected to the playing surface for supporting the playing surface in a horizontal orientation. The method utilizes a pair of auxiliary panels and comprises mounting the auxiliary panels to the frame along respective ones of the opposing edges. Thereafter, the auxiliary panels are moved relative to the main panel so that the auxiliary panels are connected to the main panel and have a first orientation extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the playing surface. Subsequently, the auxiliary panels are moved relative to the main panel so that the auxiliary panels are connected to the main panel and have a second orientation substantially coplanar with the playing surface to extend the playing surface.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the first orientation extends downwardly from the main panel, while the method more further comprises moving the auxiliary panels relative to the main panel so that the auxiliary panels are connected to the main panel and have a third orientation extending substantially perpendicularly relative to the main
Appelbaum Richard
Wilk Peter J.
Aryanpour Mitra
Coleman Henry D.
Sapone William J.
Sudol R. Neil
Vidovich Gregory
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