Height-adjustable game table
First Claim
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1. A game table comprising:
- a tabletop having a substantially horizontal disposition and adapted for playing a particular game thereon by one or more players stationed in one or more playing positions adjacent to said game table;
a support structure comprising first and second leg assemblies supporting said tabletop at opposite ends thereof,One or more release/lock mechanisms, andOne or more counterbalancing elements comprising one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders affixed to said tabletop and said support structure;
wherein said leg assemblies are adapted for adjustment to facilitate vertical movement of said tabletop;
said leg assemblies are adapted to cooperate with each other to maintain said tabletop in said horizontal disposition after said adjustment;
said one or more release/lock mechanisms are each movable between a first condition and a second condition, denying said adjustment of said leg assemblies when in said first condition and allowing said adjustment when in said second condition;
wherein said one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders are biased by their pre-pressurization to impart an upward force against said tabletop to substantially offset the weight of said tabletop and said table top is rendered virtually weightless due to the balance between the downward force of the tabletop'"'"'s weight and the upward force of the one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders when said one or more release/lock mechanisms are in said second condition;
and said one or more release/lock mechanisms are disposed proximate to said one or more playing positions to allow the one or more players, while remaining substantially in their playing positions, to move said release/lock mechanisms from said first condition to said second condition, to adjust said leg assemblies to facilitate said vertical movement of said tabletop, and to move said release/lock mechanisms back to said first condition to thereby fix said tabletop in a new vertical position.
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Abstract
A game table is disclosed having a support structure including leg assemblies at either end supporting the table. The support structure includes release/lock mechanisms and counterbalancing elements causing an upward force against said tabletop to substantially offset the weight of said tabletop. The leg assemblies are adapted for adjustment to facilitate vertical movement of said tabletop. The release/lock mechanisms are disposed proximate to the players normal positions to allow the players to alter the height of the tabletop without leaving their playing positions.
20 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A game table comprising:
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a tabletop having a substantially horizontal disposition and adapted for playing a particular game thereon by one or more players stationed in one or more playing positions adjacent to said game table; a support structure comprising first and second leg assemblies supporting said tabletop at opposite ends thereof, One or more release/lock mechanisms, and One or more counterbalancing elements comprising one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders affixed to said tabletop and said support structure; wherein said leg assemblies are adapted for adjustment to facilitate vertical movement of said tabletop; said leg assemblies are adapted to cooperate with each other to maintain said tabletop in said horizontal disposition after said adjustment; said one or more release/lock mechanisms are each movable between a first condition and a second condition, denying said adjustment of said leg assemblies when in said first condition and allowing said adjustment when in said second condition; wherein said one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders are biased by their pre-pressurization to impart an upward force against said tabletop to substantially offset the weight of said tabletop and said table top is rendered virtually weightless due to the balance between the downward force of the tabletop'"'"'s weight and the upward force of the one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders when said one or more release/lock mechanisms are in said second condition; and said one or more release/lock mechanisms are disposed proximate to said one or more playing positions to allow the one or more players, while remaining substantially in their playing positions, to move said release/lock mechanisms from said first condition to said second condition, to adjust said leg assemblies to facilitate said vertical movement of said tabletop, and to move said release/lock mechanisms back to said first condition to thereby fix said tabletop in a new vertical position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of varying the height of a game table'"'"'s tabletop by one or more players stationed in playing positions adjacent to said game table, said tabletop having a substantially horizontal disposition and said table comprising:
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a support structure comprising first and second leg assemblies supporting said tabletop at opposite ends thereof, one or more release/lock mechanisms, and one or more counterbalancing elements comprising one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders affixed to said tabletop and said support structure; wherein said leg assemblies are adapted for adjustment to facilitate vertical movement of said tabletop; said leg assemblies are adapted to cooperate with each other to maintain said tabletop in said horizontal disposition throughout said adjustment; said one or more release/lock mechanisms are each movable between first and second conditions, denying said adjustment of said leg assemblies when in said first condition and allowing said adjustment when in said second condition; and wherein said one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders are biased by their pre-pressurization to impart an upward force against said tabletop to substantially offset the weight of said tabletop and said table top is rendered virtually weightless due to the balance between the downward force of the tabletop'"'"'s weight and the upward force of the one or more pre-pressurized air cylinders when said one or more release/lock mechanisms are in said second condition; and said one or more release/lock mechanisms are disposed proximate to one or more of said playing positions; wherein said method comprises; a first movement by one or more of said one or more players, while remaining substantially in said his said playing position, of said one or more release/lock mechanisms from said first position to said second position, an adjustment by said one or more of said one or more players, while remaining substantially in his said playing position, of said leg assemblies to facilitate said vertical movement of said tabletop and a second movement by said one or more of said one or more players, while remaining substantially in his said playing position, of said one or more release/lock mechanisms back to said first position to fix said tabletop in a new vertical position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification