Game table with cable connected sections
United States Patent 1 Kintz Apr. 29, 1975 GAME TABLE WITH CABLE CONNECTED SECTIONS [76] Inventor: Glenn W. Kintz, 910 Nelchina Anchorage, Alaska 9950] [22] Filed: Aug. 14, 1973 [2|] Appl. No.: 388,207  
 [52] U.S. Cl. .r 273/51; lO8/90; 273/53 [5]] Int. Cl A63d 1/02 [58] Field of Search 273/37, 38, 42 R, 42 A, 273/43 R, 43 A. 51; [08/64, 65, 89, 90  
 (56] Rel&#39;erences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,206 2/]90] Pussow 273/38 880,696 3/1908 Schupinskym, 273/51 X l,l2l.6ll l2/l9l4 Casper v r r w l08/89X l,27(l 359 6/l9l8 Zarling 273/37 4/1926 ll/l953 Blanchard 273/5] Auchincloss et al 273/43 A Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Armrney, Agent. or Firm-Clarence A. O&#39;Brien; Harvey Br Jacobson [5 7] ABSTRACT A game table having a pit section, a variable number of alley sections, and a shooting deck section. A cable is connected to the pit and shooting deck sections in such a manner that the tension on the cable may be varied to clamp an alley section, or sections. between the pit and shooting deck sections and provide a rigid unit. The length of the alley surface of the table is determined by the number of alley sections inserted between the pit and shooting deck sections.  
 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures EH1 T APR 2 91913 SHEET 3 OF 4 INNH GAME TABLE WITH CABLE CONNECTED SECTIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an amusement. and particularly to a game table especially suited for playing a game combining features of pool and bowl ing.  
 2. Description of the Prior Art Game tables and similar apparatuses have been proposed for playing of games incorporating features of pool. or billiards. and bowling. Examples of such apparatus maybe found in U.S. Patv Nos. l25.67l. 799.785. and 985.788. The game apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 799,785, in particular. discloses a miniature bowling table construction. complete with a pin pit and ball return.  
  U.S. Pat. Nos. 880.696 and l.4l)9.274 disclose minia ture bowling alleys which are constructed in several sections. These constructions, however. are provided merely for convenience in storing and shipping the devices.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved game table.  
  It is another object of the present invention to provide a game table having improved stability and rigidity.  
  It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved game table suitable and specifically intended for playing thereon games combining features from the well known games of pool and bowling.  
  It is still another object of the present invention to provide a game table wherein the table is so constructed that the area ofthe playing surface may be varied.  
  These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a game table having: a pit section; at least one alley section; a shooting deck section; and a cable for connecting together the pit. alley. and shooting deck sections, with the alley section being arranged between the pit and shooting deck sections.  
  According to an advantageous feature of the present invention. tension on the cable may be varied to provide a rigid unit. Further. the length of the alley or playing surface may be varied by varying the number of alley sections used.  
  These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed. reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof. wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a game table according to the present invention.  
  FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the game table of FIG. 1.  
  FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the game table of FIG. I.  
  FIG. 4A is a fragmentary. sectional view taken generally along the line 4A-4A of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 4B is a fragmentary. sectional view taken generally along the line 48-48 of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 5A is a fragmentary. sectional view taken generally along the line SA-SA of FIG. 4A.  
  FIG. 5B is a fragmentary. sectional view taken generally along the line 5B-5B of FIG. 4B.  
  FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 48.  
  FIG. 7 is a fragmentary. sectional view taken generally along the line 77 of FIG. 4A.  
  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary. sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of FIG. 4A.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings. a game table 10 according to the present invention has a pair of alley sections l2. 12&#39; forming a continuous alley surface and supported on a plurality of legs 14. A pit section I8 and a shooting deck section I6 are arranged at longitudinally spaced ends of alley sections 12. I2. while a ball return chute is suspended beneath sections I2. I2, 16. and 18. A cue 22. such as is conventional and commonly used in playing pool. billards. and the like. is shown resting on table II) as illustrative of the type of cue which may be used in playing a game on table 10.  
  Legs 14 are advantageously provided with, for example. jack screw type of leveling devices installed at the bottom of each leg I4 to facilitate leveling of table III. These leveling devices maybe ofthe conventional kind commonly used on some pool and billiard tables. and eliminate the necessity for shimming between the legs 14 and an associated surface S to level the table.  
  Referring now to FIGS. 4A. 4B and 5A. 5B of the drawings. section I2 is formed by an alley bed 26 constructed in the illustrated embodiment from a pair of planar members 28 and 30 arranged in parallel planes abutting one another and secured together as by conventional screw fasteners. Bed 26 is then covered as by a. for example. conventional felt fabric covering 32. This alley bed 26 is secured to platforms 33 of an alley bed frame 34. to be described below. in a conventional manner as by the illustrated bolt and nuts (FIG. 6). Platforms 33 cooperate with alley bed 26 to form a pair of ball gutters.  
  Member 28 is advantageously constructed from hardboard glued to member 30. which is advantageously constructed from, for example. plywood. Although these materials are preferred. it is to be understood that other suitable materials may be used as desired.  
  Alley bed frame 34 is constructed around two pairs of parallel sills 36 and 38 arranged in mortises provided in legs I4. One of each pair of sills 36. 58, associated with a side of frame 34, are connected together in a suitable. known manner. such as by bolt fasteners. As can readily be appreciated from FIG. 6 of the drawings. alley bed 26 is secured to frame 34 as by bolts and nuts. one pair being shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. passing through sills 36, 38. A plurality of cross members 40 are connected and arranged transversely to parallel legs 14 in a conventional manner. as by bolt fasteners (not shown abutting sills 36, 38 for bracing samev End members 42 are advantageously arranged across the ends of the two longitudinal sections forming alley section I2. Side rails 44 are associated with sills 38, and  
 are connected thereto together with associated veneers 46 in a conventional manner such as by suitable screw fasteners. The veneers 46 are advantageously glued to the associated side rails 44 prior to the fastening of the resulting assembly to sills 38. Ledges 48. which may also be attached to sills 38 as by conventional screw fasteners. support rails 44 from beneath and are arranged between legs 14 as can be readily seen from FIGS. A and SB of the drawings. Top rail assemblies 50 are mounted on an upper edge of rails 44 to cap off frame 34.  
  Ball return chute is constructed in a pair of sections 52. 54 generally coextensive with associated alley sections I2. 12&#39; and suspended beneath frame 34 as by brackets 56 connected to cross members 40. These sec tions 52. 54 may be tied together at adjacent ends thereof as by conventional ties 58 passing through openings provided in the sections. Section 52 is provided with a flared portion at the end thereof arranged for receiving balls from pit section 18 to facilitate guiding of the balls into chute 20.  
  Shooting deck section I6 is built around a support frame 59 including a pair of longitudinally extending sills 60 having an end wall 62 secured thereto in a suitable. known manner. Side covers 64 are attached to ends of wall 62. while a veneer 66 is arranged over wall 62 for finishing off same. Side covers 64 are advantageously constructed from. for example. natural wood. and are connected to end wall 62 and a transverse brace assembly 68 in a suitable. known manner so as to be removable. Brace assembly 68 serves to connect shooting deck section 16 to alley section 12 in a manner to be described below. A deck assembly 70 similar to alley bed 26 is arranged on brace assembly 68 and abutting end wall 62 to cooperate with alley bed 26 to form a shooting surface. An end rail 72 finishes off shooting deck section 16.  
  Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. pit section 18 is formed in a manner similar to shooting deck section l6 in that a main frame 73 is formed by a pair of spaced. parallel pit sills 74 connected at one end to an end wall 76 which is in turn connected to a pair of spaced. parallel side walls 78. Veneer 80 and 80&#39; is provided on walls 76 and 78. A cross member assembly 82 similar to brace assembly 68 extends between side walls 78 and is connected to sill 74 in a suitable. known manner. A tailboard piece 84 is arranged on top of cross member assembly 82 and abuts an end of alley bed 26 for guiding balls and pins into the pit. A hood assembly 86 is arranged on top of walls 76 and 78 to act as a pin deflector. A. for example. hardboard panel 88 covers the bottom of the pit area to complete the covering of pit section 18.  
  A flap 9O constructed from a. for example. corrugated rubber mat. is mounted by a. for example. conventional mount 91 for free swinging movement. and is arranged so as to absorb the force generated by the pins being deflected into the pit. A block 92 is contoured to define together with panel 88 an opening 94 through which balls may pass from the pit to ball return chute 20. The end of chute section 52 adjacent opening 94 is provided with a shaped movable block 96 which speeds the passage of a returning ball through chute 20. Guide walls 98 facilitate the passage of pins and balls into the bottom of the pit. A. for example. rubber flap 99 is ad vantageously arranged over opening 94 to retain a ball 4 and pins in the pit. The ball will be manually pushed through flap 99.  
  Sections 16 and 18 are rcmovably attached to the ends of alley section 12 as by hooks 100 and [02 associated with brace assembly 68 and cross member assembly 82. respectively, and connected together as by a cable 104. Adjustment of hooks 100 and 102 will vary the tension on the sections to provide a rigid unit. Of course. different length cable spans are required for different numbers of alley bed sections being used. Although different length cables can be provided. it is to be understood that a cable long enough for. for example. two bed sections could be doubled in a manner not shown for use with only one bed section.  
  In this manner. sections l6. l8, and ball return chute 20 are separable from alley section 12. Further. alley sections 12 and [2&#39; themselves separate from one another. The tension cable 104 holds the sections together longitudinally. In addition, the various sections may be broken down laterally by removing the various bolts tying together the associated sills. This dissembly feature facilitates shipping. storage. reassembly. recovering with fabric. shimming. and leveling of the playing surface. A pair of guides are advantageously provided to facilitate alignment of the alley bed sections 12 and 12&#39; by arranging the guides between sills 36 and 38 at the juncture of the bed sections.  
  Table 10 is designed in a manner which permits utilization of only part of the total device in the event that sufficient room is not available for complete erection or for other reasons such as economy or less proficiency in aiming the ball. It is contemplated that the table will be distributed with the purchaser having an option of buying only one of the. for example. eight foot long center or alley sections l2. 12&#39;. In the case where a short table was initially purchased the remaining sections for the complete table could be obtained later.  
  The playing of a game on a table 10 according to the present invention may be in accordance with the following:  
  A preferred game according to the present invention will afford some mild exercise and will require some numerical skill in score keeping. Entertaining practice can be done on the table without keeping score. and various simple games can be devised which do not require the score sheet. A preferred formal method of scoring may be identical to that used in. for example. bowling. and as such scoring methods are well known they will not be discussed in detail herein. The game will prove particularly inviting to those who have bowled and are presently in ambulatory health. but are unable to stand the rigorous requirements of bowling. A regulation pool cue ball having a diameter of. for example. 2% inches is coincidently exactly one fourth of the nine inch diameter of a regulation bowling ball. Since the ball diameter is a cardinal feature of the ball and pin relation of bowling. it is logical that this ratio ofone to four should prevail in a game played according to the present invention. Therefore. the width of alley bed 26 is. for example. 42 inches divided by four. or l3 inches. and the length is. for example. feet divided by four. or 15 feet. from the foul line defined in section 16 to the head pin. Weight and pin shape and spacing ratios should be retained as much as is deemed feasible. The accuracy of cue aiming is considered superior to the conventional bowling approach; therefore. the pin separation should be increased from a one to four proportion to account for this increased accuracy. Pins are roughly. but not necessarily identically. in a one to four proportion for size.  
  As in pool or bowling. variable numbers of players can engage and play at the same time by taking turns. Ten pins are set in a triangular pattern established by spots on the playing surface at the pit end of table if). The player attempts to overturn all of these pins with one shot of the cue ball from behind the foul line on shooting deck section 18. If all of the pins are not overturned by the first shot. a second shot is taken. The second shot completes that frame and the next player shoots. If all of the pins are overturned on the first shot the player has made a strike. If all pins are overturned in two shots the player has made a spare. If neither strike nor spare is made the number of pins overturned is scored. Pins overturned on the first shot are removed to the pit prior to shooting the second shot. All handling of pins and ball is accomplished manually as contemplated with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings. A manually or automatically operated pin setter (not shown) could be provided along the lines of such pin setters commonly used in modern bowling alleys.  
  While a game according to the present invention is completely entertaining in its own right. it has the added advantage of being an ideal method of introduction to the more rigorous sport of bowling in that the pin reaction on game table It) is essentially identical to that on a bowling alley. Self confidence and poise may be developed as well as familiarity with the rules. customs. terminology. and scoring procedures of bowling. This is not to say. however. that the avid pool or billiard player will not find a test of his skill in playing a game according to the present invention. A. for example, 15 foot shot to cut a pin diagonally across a. for example. 9 inch lateral span with a, for example. 3 inch forward motion as would be the case in converting a. for examle. 440 or 6-7 split will provide a challenge that the pool player has not met before.  
  The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further. since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the invention.  
 What is claimed as new is as follows:  
 I. A game table. comprising, in combination:  
 a. a pit section including a main frame, and an end wall. side walls. and a bottom panel attached to one another to form a pit area. the assembly of walls and panel mounted on the main frame. the pit section further including backstop assembly means for absorbing the force generated by the ball and pins and deflecting the pins into said pit area;  
 b. at least one alley section. the alley section including an alley bed frame and a plurality of legs arranged supporting the bed frame;  
 c. a shooting deck section; and  
 d. means for connecting together the pit. alley. and shooting deck sections. with the alley section being arranged between the pit and shooting deck sec tions. the means for connecting including a cable extending uninterruptedly between the pit and shooting deck sections. and rigid means adjustably connecting the cable to the pit and shooting deck sections for varying the tension on the cable and clamping the alley section therebetween.  
  2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein each leg is provided with means for leveling the alley bed frame. and the alley section further includes an alley bed mounted on the alley bed frame.  
  3. A structure as defined in claim 2. wherein there are a pair of alley sections arranged forming a continuous alley surface between the pit section and shooting deck section.  
  4. A structure as defined in claim 3. further including a ball return chute suspended beneath the alley sections and arranged extending between the pit section and the shooting deck section. the return chute formed in two chute sections. each chute section generally coextensive with an associated alley section.  
  5. A structure as defined in claim 1. wherein the pit section further includes a tailboard piece mounted on the main frame and arranged abutting an adjacent alley bed for guiding balls and pins into the pit. and wherein said backstop assembly means includes a hood assembly arranged on the end and side walls for acting as a pin deflector. and a flap mounted on the side walls for free swinging movement and arranged for absorbing the force generated by pins being deflected into the pit area.  
  6. A structure as defined in claim 5. wherein the shooting deck section includes a support frame and a deck assembly arranged on the support frame.  
  7. A structure as defined in claim I. wherein there are a pair of alley sections arranged forming a continuous alley surface between the pit section and shooting deck section.  
  8. A structure as defined in claim 7, further including a ball return chute suspended beneath the alley sections and arranged extending between the pit section and the shooting deck section. the return chute formed in two chute sections. each chute section generally coextensive with an associated alley section.  
  9. A structure as defined in claim I. wherein the shooting deck section includes a support frame and a deck assembly arranged on the support frame.