BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Several table games have been developed, most of these sports table games being related to a hockey game. For instance, the patents "Table Game"issued to Kohler (bearing Canadian Patent number 477,717), "Table Top Hockey Game"issued to Bradley (bearing Canadian Patent number 1,166, 279) and"Hockey Game"issued to Sprooll et al. (bearing Canadian Patent number 1,173, 871) all concern such table games having a board including slots therein and rods allowing a sliding movement of the players to modify their position on the board. It also includes a gear arrangement wherein a rod rotation induces a player rotation for striking a hockey puck.

[0003] In"Hockey Game", bearing Canadian Patent number 429,916, Munro describes a game including a board with an inclined playing surface. Each team has five players which are moved by a mechanism including a single rod, two springs, and one handle. Thus, all the players in one team are controlled simultaneously with the rod by pulling the handle. The game obtained is therefore less precise and the possibility to create various games is limited.

[0004] Few table game devices are related to soccer. In"Table soccer or football game structure"issued to Furr et al. (bearing United States Patent number 4,025, 073), the inventors describe a table with a plurality of axially slideable actuating rods. The rods extend transversely on a playing area and playing figures are mounted thereon, above the playing surface. By rotating the rods, the player's feet strike the ball and propel it along the playing surface.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a table game which allows users to play a tri-dimensional sport or activity game.

[0006] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a table game which allows playing members to hit, move, catch or stop a playing object in a tri-dimensional space.

[0007] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a table game having a simple and efficient mechanism to move the playing members independently from each other.

[0008] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a table game which is) adaptable to various types of game configurations and to varying number and disposition of the playing members on the table game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a table game for simulating sport or activity games including a frame portion including a board defining a playing surface, the periphery of the board and the playing surface defining a playing volume extending away from the playing surface; the table game further including a control portion having a first end mounted to the frame portion and a second end provided in the vicinity of the playing surface; the table game further including a playing member including a body extending from the playing surface and an extension protruding from the body to lift the playing object above the playing surface within the playing volume or to induce another movement effect to the playing object, the playing member being movably mounted to the second end of the control portion; the table game further including a playing object movable within the playing volume by the playing member; whereby upon operation of the first end of the control portion, the playing object is lifted by the playing member from the playing surface or another movement effect is induced to the playing object when the protruding extension of the playing member hits the playing object.

[0010] There is furthermore provided a table game for simulating sport or activity games including a frame portion including a board defining a playing surface, the periphery of the board and the playing surface defining a playing volume extending away from the playing surface ; the table game further including a plurality of control portions, each having a first end mounted to the frame portion and a second end provided in the vicinity of the playing surface; the table game further including a plurality of playing members including at least one player and at least one goalie, each playing members including a body extending from the playing surface and being individually movably mounted to the second end of a respective control portion, wherein the second end of the control portion of the goalie is structured to move the goalie above the playing surface within the playing volume ; the table game further including a playing object movable in the playing volume by the plurality of playing members; the table game further including at least one playing object receiving portion; whereby upon operation of the first end of the respective control portion, the goalie located adjacent to the receiving portion is movable above the playing surface within the playing volume to block the moving playing object from entering the receiving portion.

[0011] There is furthermore provided a table game for simulating sport or activity games including a frame portion including a board defining a playing surface, a periphery of the board and the playing surface defining a playing volume extending above from the playing surface; the table game further including a control portion having a first end mounted to the frame portion, a second end provided in the vicinity of the playing surface and including a biasing element mounted between the first end and the second end; the table game further including a playing member including a body extending from the playing surface, the playing member being mounted to the second end of the control portion in a neutral position and being movably operatable to a forward position and a rearward position; the table game further including a playing object movable within the playing volume by the playing member; whereby upon operation of the first end of the control portion, the playing member is movable to the forward position and whereby upon release of the first end of the control portion, the playing member is movable from the forward position to the rearward position by the biasing element.

[0012] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non- restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] In the appended drawings: [0014] Figure 1 is an isometric view showing a table game according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0015] Figure 2 is a top view showing the table game of Figure 1; [0016] Figure 3 is a side elevation view showing a playing member of the table game of Figure 1; [0017] Figure 4a is a top view showing a neutral position of the playing member of Figure 3; [0018] Figure 4b is a top view showing a forward position of the playing member of Figure 3; [0019] Figure 4c is a top view showing a rearward position of the playing member of Figure 3 ; [0020] Figure 5 is a top view showing a configuration of playing member teams of the table game of Figure 1; [0021] Figure 6 is an isometric view showing a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0022] Figure 7 is an isometric view showing a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0023] Figure 8 is an isometric view showing a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0024] Figure 9 is an isometric view showing a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0025] Figure 10 is a top view showing a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0026] Figure 11 is an isometric view showing a seventh illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0027] Figure 12 is a top view showing an eighth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0028] Figure 13 is an isometric view showing a ninth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0029] Figure 14 is a top view showing a tenth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0030] Figure 15 is an isometric view showing an eleventh illustrative embodiment of the present invention; [0031] Figure 16 is a detail isometric view of the distributing portion shown in Figure 15; [0032] Figure 17 is another detail isometric view of the distributing portion shown in Figure 15; [0033] Figure 18 is a partial side elevation view showing a twelfth illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and [0034] Figure 19 is a partial front elevation view of the distributing portion shown in Figure 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS [0035] Generally stated, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention relates to a table game including controllable players which, when operated by a user of the table game, simulate the movements or perform the functions required in activities or sports. In the following non-restrictive description and figures, the table game is represented as a soccer game, but those of ordinary skill in the art will easily understand that other sports or activities game could be practiced with the table game. Further, those ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number of most of the components of the table game is variable and will be described for clarity as shown in the Figures.

[0036] As illustrated in Figure 1, the table game 20 generally includes a frame portion 22, eight playing members 24, a playing object in the form of a soccer ball 25 and a control portion 26.

[0037] The frame portion 22 is the structural portion of the table game 20 that includes a board 28, four peripheral side walls 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, a cover 34, two receiving portions in the form of goals 35a, 35b, four legs 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d. As can be better seen from Figure 2, the board 28 includes openings 38 and eight swelling portions 40a-40h.

[0038] The board 28 is generally planar and is surrounded by the peripheral side walls 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d which altogether define a playing surface 32 from which the playing members 24 extend and move about. The playing surface 32 also represents the surface from where the playing members 24 interact with the ball 25, and according to the illustrative embodiment, the playing surface 32 tapers down towards some of the peripheral side walls 30b, 30d, as will be further explained hereinbelow.

[0039] As illustrated in Figure 2, the number of openings 38 on the board 28 generally corresponds to the number of playing members 24 that are used. The openings 38 allow a connection and guide the movement between the playing members 24 and the control portion 26. The size and shape of the openings 38 vary from holes to slots depending on the type of movement which is permitted to the playing members 24 or induced by the control portion 26, and depending on the type of connection between the two.

[0040] The swelling portions 40a-40h are so configured to adopt various size or shapes such that, for example, they protrude, ramp or recess from the playing surface 32 of the board 28. The swelling portions 40a-40h are optionally removably mounted on the playing surface 32 to modify the topography of the playing surface 32, to re-delimit it, or to help deflect the ball 25 while using the table game 20 such that the risk of the ball 25 being stuck or stopped in motion is minimized. In the case where a swelling portion 40a-40h recesses from the playing surface 32, the board 28 may have to be matingly shaped.

[0041] Turning back to Figure 1, it is shown that the cover 34 of the frame portion 22 generally includes elongated walls 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d extending away from the playing surface 32 and such that it circumscribes a playing volume 44 thereby. The playing volume 44 represents the zone where the ball 25 is free to move or to be moved by the operation of the playing members 24. The walls 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d may be made from a plurality of materials, such as for example plastic, glass or supported nets, and their number depends on the geometry of the board 28 or the type of activities or sports game which is played with the table game 20.

[0042] In the shown illustrative embodiment, a net 46 is positioned on the walls 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d to help maintain the ball 25 inside the playing volume 44 when a user plays with the table game 20. When the cover 34 is provided with a net 46, a truncated cone 48 with two open ends 50a, 50b is optionally mounted to the net 46 to allow the insertion of the ball 25 inside the playing volume 44 or on the playing surface 32. The open ends 50a, 50b have a diameter which is wider than the diameter of the ball 25. Alternatively, the cone 48 is simply replaced by an opening in the net 46 or an opening in one of the walls 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d.

[0043] Each goal 35a, 35b is mounted to the frame portion 22 and includes a partially closed container 52, an inlet portion 54 and an outlet portion 56. The container 52 may be made from any shape or material, such as for example, from a suspended net or from a rigid polygonal structure. The container 52 is integral with, protrudes from or is mounted to the cover 34 or alternatively, is located inside the playing volume 44 and positioned on the board 28. The inlet portion 54 is opened to the playing volume 44 or generally along the playing surface 32, and the outlet portion 56 provides an exit from the table game 22 for the ball 25, such that the ball 25 has to be reintroduced to continue playing the table game 20.

[0044] The goals 35a, 35b are in communication with the playing volume 44 and the playing surface 32 such that as the ball 25 enters the goals 35a, 35b, the ball 25 is removed from the playing volume 44 or the playing surface 32. In a soccer game for instance, the ball 25 is a soccer ball which may be hit by playing members 24 on the playing surface 32 or in the playing volume 44 and into the receiving portions 35a, 35b which act as goals in a soccer game.

[0045] Turning now to Figure 3, one of the playing members 24 and the ball 25 are shown in more details with respect to the playing surface 32 of the board 28. The playing member 24 includes a body 58, an extension 60, a shaft 62 and a bushing 64.

[0046] The body 58 of the playing member 24 is generally a plate- like body which extends from the playing surface 32 in the playing volume 44 to cooperate with the ball 25. The body 58 is fixedly mounted to the shaft 62 and may adopt any shape or be made from any type of material which allows interactions with the ball 25 and which does not impair the movement of the playing member 24 induced by the control portion 26.

[0047] The extension 60 is projecting from the body 58 which is adapted to interact with or induce movement to the ball. 25 in the playing volume 44 or on the playing surface 32. In the shown embodiment, the extension 60 is a plate-like protrusion extending adjacent and inclined with respect to the playing surface 32, such that the ball 25 changes its orientation with respect to the playing member 24 after being hit by the extension 60. For instance, if the extension 60 declines from the body 58 toward the playing surface 32, a ball 25 moving parallel to the playing surface 32 tends to go upward after hitting the extension 60, therefore leaving the playing surface 30 to go upward into the playing volume 44.

[0048] The extension 60 may be configured with various shapes, lengths or declinations such that various types of movements and orientations may be induced to the ball 25. For instance, the extension 60 may be curved or may be provided with a coating of any material such as for example elastomeric material or wood, which could induce a generally upward movement with respect to the playing surface and/or induce a movement that makes the ball 25 spin, roll upon itself, or induces other movement effects when the ball 25 is being hit.

[0049] The playing member 24 is operatively mounted to the control portion 26 via the shaft 62, which extends through the opening 38 of the board 28, to allow its movement or its position change in the playing volume 44. In the shown embodiment, a bushing 64 is disposed in between the opening 38 and the shaft 62 to help fixedly position the shaft 62 with respect to its respective opening 38 while still permitting the relative motion of the player member 24 with respect to the playing surface 32. The bushing 64 also significantly minimizes the disturbances of the playing surface 32 in the vicinity of the shaft 62 as the player member 24 is in motion.

[0050] As mentioned hereinabove, the playing object is generally a ball 25 such as for example a miniature soccer ball, but may vary in shape and size such that other sports or activities may be simulated with the board game 20. The playing object is generally free to move under an initial impulsion inducing the movement or may be moved when hit by the playing member 24.

[0051] As stated hereinbefore, the table game 20 includes a control portion 26 which enables a user of the table game 20 to control the playing members 24 in order to simulate the movements or perform the functions required in activities or sports. A person skilled in the art will easily understand that even though one control portion 26 is shown to control one playing member 24, more than one playing member 24 may be controlled by one control portion 26 and more than one control portion 26 may be used to control one playing member 24, as will be further explained hereinbelow.

[0052] As illustrated for one playing member 24 in Figures 3,4a, 4b and 4c, the control portion 26 of the table game 20 includes a handle 66,-an arm 68, a stem 70 and a biasing element 72, being all interrelated to each other and connected as an assembly to the playing member 24 to generate its motion capabilities. In the illustrative embodiment of Figure 3, the control portions 26 are positioned underneath the playing surface 32, in the vicinity of the board 28.

[0053] The handle 66 has a first extremity 67a so configured as to offer a pulling grip to the user of the table game 20 and a second extremity 67b connected to the arm 68. The handle 66 is movably mounted to the peripheral side walls 30b, 30d or to any appropriate location on the table game 20.

[0054] The arm 68 is generally a rope or a rod operatively linking the handle 66 and the stem 70 together by being attached at one end to the second extremity 67b of the handle 66 and to the stem 70 at the other end.

[0055] The stem 70 is a generally rigid link having a first extremity 70a attached to the arm 68 and a second extremity 70b fixedly mounted to shaft 62 under the playing surface 32.

[0056] The biasing element 72 is generally a spring or an elastomeric member which has one end attached to the stem 70 at a proximate location to the first extremity 70a of the stem 70 where the arm 68 is attached.

The other end of the biasing element 72 is fixedly mounted to the board 28 underneath the playing surface 32.

[0057] In operation, the assembly of the handle 66, the arm 68, the stem 70 and the biasing element 72 as described hereinabove allows the user to move the playing member 24 by actuating the control portion 26.

[0058] The neutral position 78 of one playing member 24 is shown in more details in Figure 4a. When pulling the handle 66 as illustrated in Figure 4b, the arm 68 generally follows along the pulling direction (see arrow 76a), the stem 70 is rotated about the shaft 62 and the biasing element 72 extends. The pulling of the handle 66 therefore induces a clockwise rotational movement (see arrow 74a) of the playing member 24 which is moved from the neutral position 78 to a forward position 80.

[0059] When releasing the handle 66 after having pulled it, as illustrated in Figure 4c, the extended biasing element 72 is called back toward its un-extended configuration, such that the arm 68 generally follows along the releasing direction (see arrow 76b), and such that the stem 70 is pivotally moved around the shaft 62. The playing member 24 is thus carried in a counterclockwise rotational movement (see arrow 74b) from the forward position (80 in Figure 4b) to a rearward position 82 via the neutral position 78.

[0060] After being compressed, the biasing element 72 generally returns to its un-extended configuration (Figure 4a) and the playing member 24 generally returns to its neutral position 78.

[0061] When the arm 68 is rigid as a rod, the counterclockwise rotational movement (see arrow 74b) of the playing member 24 from the neutral position 78 may alternatively be induced by the user pushing on the handle 66, such that the arm 68 pivots about the shaft 62. In those instances, the biasing element 72 may be removed or may be used to limit the range of motion of the playing member 24.

[0062] In operation, the table game 20 may be played by users operating the control portion 26 to actuate the playing members 24 in order to move or hit the ball 25 in order to play a sport or activity game. For clarity purposes, the principles behind the operation of the table game 20 will continue to be explained in more details with reference to a table soccer game.

However, this is in no way done to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0063] As seen in Figures 1 and 5, the table game 20 includes eight playing members 24 divided in a first team of players 24a, 24b, 24c with a first goalie 24d, and a second team of players 24e, 24f, 24g, with a second goalie 24h. Each player 24a-24h is individually actuated by the users operating the handles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, 66e, 66f, 66g, 66h. The handles 66d, 66h of the goalies 24d, 24h are generally mounted on the same peripheral side walls 30b, 30d as the handles 66a, 66b, 66c and 66e, 66f, 66g of their respective teams of players 24a, 24b, 24c and 24e, 24f, 24g.

[0064] The plurality of openings 38a, 38b, 38c, 38e, 38f, 38g (Figure 5) where no player is located are generally covered to minimize disturbance on the playing surface 32 or alternatively, used to removably mount the swelling portions (40a-40h on Figure 2) on the board 28. Furthermore, it is possible to generate a plurality of player positions by changing the respective position of the players 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24f, 24g, 24h on the board 28, by adding players on the unused openings 38a, 38b, 38c, 38e, 38f, 38g or by removing players from the table game 20.

[0065] The ball 25 is generally introduced in the table game 20 by being positioned or dropped on the playing surface 32 or within reach of the players 24a-24h. When a net 46 is positioned on the walls 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, its center of mass is generally located at a lowest point due to gravity. This phenomenon and gravity favors the movement of the ball 25 which is positioned on the net, toward and through the cone 48, through the playing volume 44 and to the playing surface 32. Introducing the ball 25 in this fashion helps to generate a random face-off mechanism between the two teams of players 24a-24d and 24e-24h.

[0066] The ball 25 being therefore introduced in the table game 20, the two teams of players 24a-24d and 24e-24h have the possibility of interacting with the ball 25 by interference with it, by contact or rebound with it, or by hitting it upon the movement of the players 24a, 24b, 24c, 24e, 24f, 24g.

[0067] The reach and range of motion of the player 24a, 24b, 24c, 24e, 24f, 24g will now be explained in more details. In the shown illustrative embodiment, each team of players 24a, 24b, 24c and 24e, 24f, 24g is pivotally operated via the respective handles 66a, 66b, 66c and 66e, 66f, 66g by users which are generally positioned in the vicinity of the handles on opposite peripheral side walls 30b, 30d.

[0068] Figure 2 schematizes the rotational movement capacities (see arrows 74a, 74b) of the players 24a, 24b, 24c, 24e, 24f, 24g from a neutral position. These movements are generally induced by the user pulling (see arrow 76a) or pushing or releasing (see arrow 76b) the handles 66a, 66b, 66c, 66e, 66f, 66g to hit, move or actuate the ball 25, as explained hereinabove.

[0069] While playing the table game 20, the ball 25, which is located in the vicinity or within reach of a playing member 24, is hit or propelled to another location with respect to the playing surface 32 as that playing member 24 is operated by the user via the control portion 26.

[0070] The ball 25 may interact with the playing members 24 in various ways. More particularly and as shown in Figures 3 and 4b, the shape of the extension 60 allows its insertion under the ball 25 and gives it a different orientation with respect to the playing surface 32 and the playing volume 44.

[0071] For instance, the ball 25, which is initially located on the playing surface 32 and which contacts the movably operated playing member 24 on the extension 60, is generally propelled above the playing surface 32, within the playing volume 44. Alternatively, the ball 25 positioned at a certain orientation in the playing volume 44 with respect to the playing surface 32 may be hit by the extension 60 such that its orientation in the playing volume 44 changes.

[0072] Further, a ball 25 may interact with the body 58 or other parts of the playing member 24. In this case, if the ball 25 is moving, it may hit the playing member 24 and rebound from it, or it may be hit by the playing member 24 operatively moved by the control portion 26. If the ball 25 is immobile or not moving, the playing member 24 operatively moved by the control portion 26 may hit or move the ball 25.

[0073] As explained hereinabove, the swelling portions (40a-40h in Figure 2) help to return the ball 25 within the reach or range of motion of the playing members 24. If the playing surface 32 is tapered toward the peripheral side walls 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d or to a specific area on the playing surface 32, the ball 25 may further be induced to move in such a way as to be oriented or conducted toward a specific area on the playing surface 32 or toward the reach or range of motion of the playing members 24, which minimizes the chances of having an immobile ball 25.

[0074] The movement capacities of the players 24a-24h allow them to hit or move the ball 25 on the playing surface 32 or in the playing volume 44 to accomplish a function. In a soccer table game, that function is to have one team of players 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d score a goal or have the ball 25 enter the container 52 of the other team of players 24e, 24f, 24g, 24h, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. However, the goalies 24d, 24h in the vicinity of the receiving areas 35a, 35b are able to block the entry of the ball 25 in the containers 52 and may be movably operated by the users of the table game to enhance the chances of blocking the entry of the ball 25.

[0075] Table games according to various illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with respect to Figures 6 to 18. For concision purposes, only the differences between the table games of the various illustrative embodiments of Figure 6 to 18 and the table game illustrated in Figure 1 to 5 will be described hereinbelow.

[0076] A table game 120 according to a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 6.

[0077] In this second illustrative embodiment, the goalies (only one goalie 124d shown) include extensions 160 and are each movably operated with a control portion 126 including a handle 166, an arm 168, a finger 169, a shaft 171 and a bracket assembly 173. The handle 166, the arm 168 and the finger 169 are fixedly mounted to one another in an assembly such that the control portion 126 may extend on one side from the table game 120 through an aperture 174 and on the other side, from the playing surface (not shown in Figure 6 for clarity). The finger 1'69 is fixedly mounted to the body 158 of the goalie 124d and extends through the playing surface (not shown in Figure 6 for clarity) in its corresponding opening (not shown), as explained hereinbefore.

[0078] The arm 168 and the shaft 171 are fixedly mounted to one another and are so configured as to provide movement to the goalie 124d when movably mounted to the bracket assembly 173. The bracket assembly 173 is fixedly mounted to the table game 120 and includes connectors 175a, 175b protruding from the bracket assembly 173. The connectors 175a, 175b are so configured as to movably cooperate with the shaft 171 upon operation of the control portion 126 by the user and restrain the amplitude of movement of the control portion 126.

[0079] The movement of one goalie 124d in operation will now be explained in more details. The goalie 124d is movably operated by a user actuating the control portion 126. In the shown illustrative embodiment, the goalie 124d is provided with two degrees of-freedom which are one translational movement and one pivotal movement.

[0080] The translational movement is schematized with the arrows 176a, 176b, 176c, 176d, 176e, 176f. When a user controlling the goalie 124d moves the handle 166 in one direction such as for example in an upward direction (see arrow 176a), the shaft 171 which is slidably guided within the connectors 175a, 175b moves in a corresponding upward movement (see arrow 176b) and therefore, the goalie 124d follows a similar upward movement (see arrow 176c) due to its assembled connection to the shaft 171 via the finger 169 and the arm 168. Similarly, a translational movement induced in the other direction such as for example in a downward movement (see arrow 176d) causes the shaft 171 to move in a downward direction (see arrow 176e) and the goalie follows along in a downward movement (see arrow 176f).

[0081] The translational movement is generally restrained with the arm 168 interfering with the connectors 175a, 175b or with the arm 168 abutting on the periphery of the aperture 174 of the peripheral side wall 130b.

[0082] The pivotal movement is schematized with the arrows 177a, 177b, 177c. When a user controlling the goalie 124d pivots the handle 166 in one direction (see arrow 177a), the shaft 171 which is slidably guided within the connectors 175a, 175b pivots in a corresponding direction (see arrow 177b) and therefore, the goalie 124d follows a similar pivotal movement (see arrow 177c) due to its connection to the shaft 171 via the finger 169 and the arm 168.

The pivotal movement is generally similar in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0083] The pivotal movement is generally restrained with the arm 168 abutting on the periphery of the aperture 174 of the peripheral side wall 130b or with the finger 169 interfering with the limits of the opening (not shown) on the board of the table game 120.

[0084] Keeping in mind Figures 1 and 6, this combination of movements allows the goalie 224d to move with respect to the goals 35a, 35b when actuated by the user. In the context of users playing with the table game 120, this capability of the goalies 124d, 124h enables the users to minimize the occurrences of the ball 25 entering respective goals 35a, 35b from the playing surface 32 or from the playing volume 44.

[0085] More particularly, the translational movement of the goalies 124d, 124h may generally be used to block the ball 25 from entering the goals 35a, 35b when coming from the playing volume 44. Also, the pivotal movement of the goalies 124d, 124h may generally be used to block the ball 25 from entering the goals 35a, 35b when coming from the playing surface 32.

[0086] Furthermore and in the context of a ball 25 located in the vicinity of the goalie 124d, if the extensions 160 are used to hit or move the ball as the goalie 124d is movably operated, the ball 25 will generally be reoriented in the playing volume 44 or moved above the playing surface 32 within the playing volume 44 as explained hereinabove in relation to the first illustrative embodiment.

[0087] A table game 220 according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 7. For concision purposes, only the differences between the table game of this third illustrative embodiment and the second illustrative embodiment will be described hereinbelow. More specifically, the only difference between the table game 220 and the table game 20 concerns the goalies.

[0088] In this third illustrative embodiment, the goalie 224d is movably operated with a control portion 226 including a bracket assembly 273 with a connector 275, shaft 271 and arm 268. The bracket assembly 273 is fixedly attached to the table game 220 and is generally bent or oriented such that it extends from the table game 220 to a location adjacent to the arm 268.

The bracket assembly 273 pivotally supports the connector 275 with a bearing assembly mounted therebetween.

[0089] The connector 275 extends from the bracket assembly 273 to the vicinity of the arm 268. In the shown illustrative embodiment, the shaft 271 is pivotally supported between legs 275a, 275b of the connector 275 and extends through a cavity in the arm 268. Alternatively, the shaft 271 may also be slidably mounted between the legs 275a, 275b of the connector 275.

[0090] The movement of the goalie 224d will now be explained in more details. The goalie 224d is movably operated by a user actuating the control portion 226. In the shown illustrative embodiment, the goalie 224d is provided with two degrees of freedom which are one translational movement and one pivotal movement.

[0091] The components involved in the translational movement are schematized with the arrows 276a, 276b, 276c, 276d, 276e. When a user controlling the goalie 224d moves the handle 266 in one direction such as for example in an upward direction (see arrow 276a), the shaft 271 or the arm 268 pivot (see arrow 276b) and therefore, the goalie 224d follows with a downward movement (see arrow 176e) due to the pivotal connection between the shaft 271, the arm 268 and the connector 275. Similarly, a translational movement induced in the other direction such as for example in a downward movement (see arrow 176d) causes the shaft 271 and arm 268 to pivot in a reverse direction (see arrow 276b) and the goalie 224d follows along in an upward movement (see arrow 276c).

[0092] Since the pivotal displacement of the control portion 226 generally involves smaller angles, the induced movement of the goalie 224d is therefore associated with a generally translational movement. For larger pivotal angles, this first degree of freedom of the goalie 224d becomes a generally pivotal movement. As stated hereinabove, if the shaft 271 is slidably mounted between the legs 275a, 275b of the connector 275, the translational movement of the goalie will be similar to the translational movement described in the second illustrative embodiment.

[0093] The second degree of freedom is a pivotal movement as schematized with arrows 277a, 277b, 277c. The principals involved with this pivotal movement are similar to the ones described in the second illustrative embodiment. The only difference between the two illustrative embodiments resides in the involved pivotal mechanism which includes the pivotal movement of the connector 275 with respect to the bracket assembly 273 via the bearing 278 when the user actuates the control portion 226.

[0094] Alternatively, the control portion 226 of the goalie 224d may be provided with a spherical joint (not shown) replacing the shaft 271 and connector assembly 275. Furthermore, the connector 275 may be replaced with a biasing means such as for example a spring (not shown) mounted at one end to the bracket assembly 273 and extending to the arm 268, which allows a generally tri-dimensional movement capacity of the goalie 224d in the playing volume 244.

[0095] A table game 320 according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 8. Again, the differences between the table game 320 and the table game 20 mainly concern the goalies.

[0096] In this fourth illustrative embodiment, the control portion 326 of the goalies (only 324d is shown) includes a handle 366, a trigger 367, an arm assembly 368, actuating means 369, a stem 370, and a kicking plate 371.

[0097] The trigger 367 is movably mounted to the arm assembly 368 such that it can generally be used between a triggered position and a relaxed position. The trigger 367 is generally located in the vicinity of the handle 366 to ease its operation by the user. In the illustrative embodiment, the trigger 367 also includes a protrusion 367a extending through or from the arm assembly 368.

[0098] The actuating means 369 is generally an assembly of ropes, cables, biasing elements or any other link means capable of transmitting a movement between the trigger 367 and the goalie 324d. The actuating means 369 are attached at one end to the trigger 367 and to the other end to a first extremity of the stem 370. The biasing element 372 is also attached at one end to the first extremity of the stem 370, near the actuating means 369, and to its other end to the body 358 of the goalie 324d. The second extremity of the stem 370 is fixedly mounted to the kicking plate 371.

[0099] In the illustrative embodiment, the kicking plate 371 includes a lip 371 a and a kicker 361. The kicking plate 371 is pivotally mounted to the body 358 of the goalie 324d to move between a flat position and a kicking position. The lip 371 a protrudes from the pivotal axis (not shown) of the kicking plate 371 and provides the connection between the stem 370 and the kicking plate 371 allowing it to be movably actuated when the trigger 367 is operated.

The lip 371 a is fixedly mounted to the second extremity of the stem 370 and it is generally free to pivot through the body 358 of the goalie 324d.

[0100] In operation, the kicking plate 371 movement capacities are generally induced by the user pulling (see arrow 376a) or releasing (see arrow 376b) the protrusion 367a or the trigger 367. The relaxed position of the protrusion 367a generally corresponds to the flat position of the kicking plate 371 (as illustrated in Figure 8) and the triggered position generally corresponds to the kick position of the kicking plate 371.

[0101] When pulling the protrusion 367a (see arrow 376a), the trigger 367 pulls on the actuating means 369 (see arrow 376c, 376d), the stem 370 is rotated (see arrow 376e) and the biasing element 372 extends (see arrow 376f). The pulling of the protrusion 367a therefore induces a rotational movement (see arrow 376g) of the kicking plate 371 about its pivotal connection to the body 358 and via the connection between the rotating stem 370 and the lip 371 a. By being actuated from its flat position to the kick position, the kicking plate 371 may then hit or move the ball 325 if it is positioned within the rotational range of the kicking plate 371.

[0102] When releasing the protrusion 367a (see arrow 376b), the extended biasing element 372 is called back (see arrow 376h) toward its un- extended configuration, such that the actuating means 369 is moved in opposite directions of arrows 376c, 376d, and such that the stem 370 is rotatably carried back to its position shown in Figure 8. Because of the connection between the rotating stem 370 and the lip 371 a, the kicking plate 371 is thus carried back to its flat position in a rotational movement (see arrow 376g).

[0103] As stated hereinabove in the first illustrative embodiment, if the ball 325 is hit on the kicker 361, the ball 325 may be reoriented in the playing volume (44 in Figure 1) or may be hit or moved above the playing surface (32 in Figure 1) within the playing volume (44 in Figure 1).

[0104] A table game 420 according to a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 9. Again, the differences between the table game 420 and the table game 20 mainly concern the goalies.

[0105] In this fifth illustrative embodiment, the goalie 424d is provided with a partially closed container 480 including a front inlet 481 a, a side outlet 481 b and a damping means 482. The container 480 is fixedly positioned on the body 458 of the goalie 424d and in the vicinity of the goal 435a.

[0106] The damping means 482 is generally a net, a gel, a plastic membrane or a foam based material so configured as to absorb the kinetic energy of the moving ball 425 hitting on it. The damping means 482 also minimizes the chance of allowing the ball 425 to rebound after getting inside the container 480.

[0107] The inlet 481 a is generally facing the goal 435a and allows the entrance of a moving ball 425 inside the container 480. The outlet 481 b is generally positioned adjacent to the damping means 482 such that it allows a moving ball 425 to exit the container 480 after entering the container 480 or after hitting the damping means 482. Alternatively, more than one inlet 481 and/or more than one outlet 481 b are included in the container 480.

[0108] In operation, a ball 425 moving in the playing volume 444 (see arrow 483a) may be"caught"by the goalie 424d by entering its inlet 481 a, hitting on the damping means 482, leaving the container 480 from the outlet 481 b (see arrow 483b) and be reintroduced on the playing surface 432.

[0109] If the goalie 424d is actuated to move in a pivotal or rotational movement as described hereinabove, the goalie 424d may be positioned or oriented with respect to the moving ball 425 in such a way as to generally align its front inlet 481 a with the moving direction (see arrow 483a) of the ball 425.

[0110] A table game 520 according to a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 10.

[0111] In this sixth illustrative embodiment, the goalie 524d is movably operated by a control portion 526 including a handle 566, a generally rigid arm 568, a finger 569 and a pivot means 571. The handle 566 is slidably mounted to the peripheral side wall 530b or any other fixed location on the table game 520. arm 568 is pivotally mounted to the handle 566 via the pivot means 571. The finger 569 is rigidly mounted at one of its ends to the arm 568 and on its other end to the goalie 524d. The finger 569 extends from the arm 568, through the board 528 and through the playing surface 532 in a respective semi-circular slotted opening 538.

[0112] In operation, the user of the table game 520 pushing (see arrow 573a) on handle 566, induces a pivotal movement of the arm 568 in one direction about pivot 571 (see arrow 573b) since the finger 569 is movably guided into semi-circular slot 538. Similarly, the pulling (see arrow 573c) of the handle 566 by a user generally induces a reversed pivotal movement (see arrow 573b).

[0113] A table game 620 according to a seventh illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 11.

[0114] In this seventh illustrative embodiment, the playing member 624 is operated by a control portion 626 which includes a handle 666, an arm 668 and a bracket 669. The handle 666 is rotatably mounted to the peripheral side wall 630b or any other fixed location on the table game 620. The arm 668 extends from the handle 666 and to the playing member 624 in a respective slotted opening 638 through the board 628 and the playing surface 632. The arm is pivotally mounted to the bracket 668 which is fixedly. mounted to the board 628 or to any other fixed location on the table game 620.

[0115] In operation, the user of the table game 620 rotating the handle 666 (see arrow 673a) induces a pivotal movement of the arm 668 about the bracket 669 which accordingly carries the playing member 624 from one side to the other (see arrow 673b). This pivotal movement may occur in both pivotal directions and is generally restrained by the dimensions of the slotted opening 638.

[0116] In the illustrative embodiment, the playing member 624 changes the direction of the ball 625 (see arrows 674a, 674b) after hitting it when pivotally moved by the control portion 626.

[0117] A table game 720 according to an eighth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 12.

[0118] In this eighth illustrative embodiment, two playing members 724a, 724b are linked together via one shaft 762 and movably operated with control portions 726a, 726b. Similarly to what was explained hereinbefore in the first illustrative embodiment, each control portion 726a, 726b includes a handle 766a, 766b, an arm 768a, 768b, a stem 770a, 770b and a biasing element (only 772a shown for clarity).

[0119] The shaft 762 is rigidly mounted to both stems 770a, 770b and offers support for both playing members 724a, 724b.

[0120] In operation, two users may therefore control a playing member 724a, 724b in approximately the same portion of the playing surface (not shown for clarity) by individually operating its own control portion 726a, 726b. As shown in the illustrative embodiment, the combined playing members 724a, 724b will be actuated and move (see arrows 776c) following the first actuation which may either be initiated from a first user operating a first control portion 726a (see arrow 776a, 776b) or from a second user operating a second control portion 726b (see arrow 776d, 776e).

[0121] A table game 820 according to a ninth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 13.

[0122] In this ninth illustrative embodiment, the goal 835a includes a container 852, a damping means 853, an inlet 854, an outlet 856, and a supporting structure 857. The supporting structure 857 is fixedly mounted to the container 852 to support, to hang or to provide mounting means to the damping means 853, such that the damping means 853 may be installed inside the container 852, away from but facing the inlet 854 of the goal 835a.

[0123] The damping means 853 is generally made of a damping fabric such as for example a net, a foam or gel type mat, thin and flexible plastic membrane, shredded cloth or any other material so configured as to absorb the kinetic energy of the moving ball hitting on it. The damping means 853 also minimizes the chance of allowing the ball to rebound after getting inside the container 852.

[0124] In operation, a ball moving in the playing volume defined by the walls (842d, only one shown) and the playing surface 832 may be damped after entering the goal 835a by its inlet 854, hitting on the damping means 853 and exiting the goal 835a through its outlet 856.

[0125] A table game 920 according to a tenth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 14.

[0126] In this tenth illustrative embodiment, the table game 920 is represented for another configuration allowing users to play an activity table game. The table game 920 includes playing members 924a, 924b, 924c, 924d operatively mounted to respective control portions 926a, 926b, 926c, 926d to hit or move a ball 925 in the goal 935a, 935b. As for the first illustrative embodiment, a plurality of swelling portions 940a, 940b, 940c, 940d are also mounted on the playing surface 932.

[0127] A table game 1020 according to an eleventh illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 15 to 17.

[0128] In this eleventh illustrative embodiment, the table game 1020 includes a dispensing assembly 1070 including at least one introduction portion 1071, a storage portion 1072, an actuating portion 1073 and an ejecting portion 1074.

[0129] Each introduction portion 1071 includes an introduction container 1075 and a passage 1076. The introduction container 1075 has one open side 1075a which is generally at the level of the playing surface 1032 and another angled side 1075b generally facing the open side 1075a. The angled side 1075b is so configured as to receive balls 1025 entering the outlet portion of the goal (not shown for clarity) and to provide the means to reorient the ball toward the passage 1076.

[0130] The passage 1076 has a first end in open communication with the introduction container 1075, adjacent to the angled side 1075b. The second end of the passage 1076 is in communication with the storage portion 1072. Since gravity affects the movement of the ball 1025 in the dispensing assembly 1070, the passage 1076 has its first end positioned near the lowest point of the angled side 1075b and its second end at a lowest point such that a ball 1025 in the passage 1076 travels from the first end to the second end.

[0131] The storage portion 1072 is shown in more details in Figures 15 and 16 and includes a storage container 1077, an inclined plate 1078, a deformable gate 1079 and a support structure 1080.

[0132] The storage container 1077 has one open side 1077a which is generally underneath and in communication with the second end of the passage 1076. The storage container 1077 has a storage side 1077b generally facing open side 1077a. The storage side 1077b is most of the time closed by the actuating portion 1073 and is therefore configured as to receive the ball 1025 from the introduction portion and to dispense the ball 1025 to the inclined plate 1078 upon actuation of the actuating portion 1073.

[0133]-The inclined plate 1078 is located underneath and generally aligned with the storage side 1077b of the storage container 1077. The inclined plate 1078 is also positioned such that its first end is closer to the storage container 1077 and its second end is located adjacent to the ejection portion 1074, such that a declined plane is generated toward the ejecting portion 1074.

[0134] The deformable gate 1079 is a mechanically compliant stop which is mounted to the inclined plate 1078 and which is so configured as to control the entrance of the balls 1025 in the ejecting portion 1074 from the inclined plane 1078.

[0135] The support structure 1080 includes an aperture (not shown) and is rigidly mounted to the frame portion 1022 of the table game 1020. The support structure 1080 fixedly supports the storage container 1077 and the inclined plate 1078 and further allows for the movement of the actuating portion 1073 through its aperture (not shown).

[0136] The actuating portion 1073 includes a lock 1081, a plunger 1082, a hole 1083 and a stop 1084. The lock 1081 generally acts as a handle for the actuating portion 1073 and may necessitate money which thereby acts as a key to move the lock 1081. In the illustrative embodiment, the money received by the lock 1081 enables the lock 1081 to be pushed or pulled in the table game 1020.

[0137] The plunger 1082 extends from the lock 1081 at a first end and is slidably supported by the aperture (not shown) of the support structure 1080 at its second end.

[0138] The hole 1083 in the plunger 1082 is located near its second end, in the vicinity of the storage side 1077b of the storage container 1077. The hole 1083 is generally as large as the storage side 1077b and is so configured as to allow the passage of the balls 1025 from the storage container 1077 to the inclined plane 1078.

[0139] The stop 1084 extends from the plunger 1082 and is so configured as to block the passage of the balls 1025 from the inclined plane 1078 to the ejecting portion 1074 when movably positioned therebetween by the actuating portion 1073.

[0140] The ejecting portion 1074 includes a tube 1085, a piston 1086, a handle 1087, an arm assembly 1088 and a transmitter 1089. The tube 1085 has a first end fixedly mounted on the frame portion 1022 and includes an aperture 1090 located adjacent to the inclined plane 1078 and the deformable gate 1079. The other end of the tube 1085 is located near an opening 1038 through the board 1028 and the playing surface 1032.

[0141] The piston 1086 is slidably mounted within the tube 1085 and it is movably actuated between a retracted position and an extended position by the assembly of the handle 1087, the arm assembly 1088 and the transmitter 1089. The retracted position corresponds to the piston 1086 having its head 1086a in the vicinity of the aperture 1090 of the tube 1085 and the extended position corresponds to the piston 1086 having its head 1086a in the vicinity of the opening 1038 through the board 1028 and the playing surface 1032.

[0142] The handle 1087 is operatively mounted through one of the peripheral side wall 1030. The arm assembly 1088 has one end connected to the handle 1087 and its other end connected to the transmitter 1089. As shown in the illustrative embodiment, the arm assembly 1088 may be attached at various locations to the frame portion 1022.

[0143] The transmitter 1089 generally acts as a link so configured as to transmit motion to the piston 1086. In the shown illustrative embodiment, the transmitter 1089 is fixedly mounted to the piston 1086 and to the arm assembly 1088. The transmitter 1089 further extends through a slot (not shown) in the tube 1085 such that it is enabled to be moved from outside of the tube 1085 and induce movement inside the tube to the piston 1086. The assembly of the 'handle 1087, the arm assembly 1088 and the transmitter 1089 may therefore allow to movably operate the ejecting portion 1074 in order to introduce the ball 1025 in the table game 1020.

[0144] The dispensing assembly 1070 is generally operated by a user of the table game 1020 in order to get the ball 1025 in play and in a random way, without having the user to touch or interact directly with the ball 1025. Therefore, the playing volume (not shown in this illustrative embodiment) may alternatively be completely enclosed by the walls (not shown for clarity) around and over the playing surface 1032.

[0145] In operation, the ball 1025 that enters the goal (not shown for clarity) usually rolls down in the introduction container 1075 from the open side 1075a, to the angled side 1075b, to the passage 1076 and to the storage container 1077 (see arrow 1091 a, 1091 b, 1091 c, 1091 d).

[0146] When user operates the lock 1081 by pushing it (see arrow 1092a), the plunger 1082 is pushed (see arrow 1092b, 1092c) until the hole 1083 is positioned bellow the storage container 1077.

[0147] At that moment, the balls 1025 fall (see arrow 1093a) on inclined plate 75, are directed toward and abut on stop 1084 (see arrow 1093b).

[0148] When the user pulls back the lock 1081 (see arrow 1092a), the plunger 1082 and the stop 1084 are pulled back accordingly (see arrow 1092b, 1092c) and the balls 1025 are moved toward the ejecting portion 1074 (see arrow 1094). The ball 1025 which is the closest to the ejecting portion 1074 moves in the tube 1085 and positions itself on the head 1086a of the piston 1086 in a retracted position. At that moment, the deformable gate 1079 abuts on the head 1086a and generally does not obstruct the passage of the ball 1025.

[0149] When the user pulls on the handle 1087 (see arrow 1095a), the arm assembly 1088 follows along (see arrow 1095b, 1095c) and pulls the transmitter 1089 attached to the piston 1086.

[0150] The piston 1086 is therefore moved from the retracted position to the extended position (see arrow 1096) and as a result, the ball 1025 is thrown through the top surface 1032 in the playing volume (not shown for clarity) in a random way. At that time, the deformable gate 1079 is released and retains the other balls 1025 on the inclined plate 1078.

[0151] When the user releases the handle 1087, the piston 1086 moves back into its retracted position. At that time, the deformable gate 1079 abuts back on head 1086a such that another ball 1025 is free to move inside the tube 1085 and is ready to be thrown through the playing surface 1032.

[0152] A table game 1120 according to a twelfth illustrative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 18. For concision purposes, only the differences between the table game of this twelfth illustrative embodiment and the eleventh illustrative embodiment will be described hereinbelow.

[0153] In this twelfth illustrative embodiment, the ejecting portion 1174 includes a tube 1185, a piston 1186, a handle 1187, an arm assembly 1188 and a transmitter 1189. The handle 1187 is operatively mounted through one of the peripheral side wall 1130. The arm assembly 1188 has one end connected to the handle 1187 and its other end connected to the piston 1186.

[0154] In this illustrative embodiment, the transmitter 1189 is a resilient member such as for example a spring, or any other elastomeric material, which is fixedly mounted to the board 1128 and the piston 1186 in order to initiate the ejection and introduction of the ball 1125 in the table game 1120. The resilient member is generally capable of developing or receiving a resilient force so configured as to enable the transmitter 1189 to be put back to its original position and form after being stretched.

[0155] In operation, when the user pulls on the handle 1187 (see arrow 1195a), the arm assembly 1188 follows along (see arrow 1095b, 1095c) and pulls the piston 1186 thereby. At that time, the piston 1186 is in the retracted position (shown in dotted lines), the transmitter 1189 is stretched or extended away from the playing surface 1132 and the ball 1125 becomes available for ejection. When the user releases the handle 1187, the piston 1186 moves to its extracted position (shown in solid lines) because of the resilient force of the transmitter 1189.

[0156] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments can be modified at will, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention.