Background Art Many typical game or card tables are square, such as a standard square folding table. Ideally game tables are of a size that all players can reach the center to pick up cards, tiles, dice or whatever other gaming paraphernalia is being used. It is well known to game players seated at a game table that the room on the table can become scarce as the game progresses. As it is necessary to minimize table size so every player can reach the middle it is also ideal to have as much room as possible for player's personal space which may be cluttered with snacks, drinks, score pads, money, other personal items, and game pieces (such as tiles, chips or cards).

One solution to obtaining more room on a table has been to add pockets or shelves to a table.

One such table is disclosed in United States Patent Number 3,557,856 issued to Bertha Berman.

The Berman invention discloses a square flexible cover that goes over an existing table. The cover is supplied with pouches that hang down on the sides. As the Berman invention covers the entire table, it may impede play on the table's surface as the game pieces or cards must be used on top of the table cover. Further the cover may easily wrinkle and impede play and is restricted to use on a table of a size matching that of the cover.

As can be seen from this discussion it is desirable to add extra storage room to a game table and to make this addition in such a manner so as to not impede the play of the game or to destroy the characteristics of the game table.

Disclosure of Invention This invention provides an apparatus that is either rested upon an existing table or that can also be built as a complete table in and of itself. The table top of this apparatus is made up of a flat playing surface that is surrounded by a trim molding whose upper surface may extend slightly

above the playing surface. This method of construction creates a table top that has a slightly raised border surrounding it which enhances its function as a gaming surface, to stop tiles from falling off the table and to keep such items as game pieces and money on the playing surface.

The trim molding also serves to attach a plurality of sections of fabric which extend downward from their attachment points in the gap between the trim and the table top. These sections of fabric have been constructed to form a plurality of pouches which hang below the table top and which have the open side of the pouch oriented in an upward manner. These pouches are formed by folding the lowest edge of the fabric partially back on itself and then stitching this arrangement in a manner that closes all but the top side of the pouch and divides it into separate compartments.

Preferably, these fabric pouches are attached on all four sides of the table and will provide storage capacity to all potential players engaged in play on the table. The pouches can alternatively be formed from non-fabric materials, such as appropriate plastics or metals, to name a few.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be made to the drawings and the description in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the orientation of its major components including the fabric pouches and the table top.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the present invention detailing the construction of the trim molding and the fabric pouches.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the present invention detailing the orientation of the pouches in relation to the table top.

Figure 4 is a side elevation cut-away view of the present invention detailing one manner in which the pouches are attached in the gap between the trim and the table top.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the present invention detailing the manner in which hook and loop fasteners are used to attach the fabric pouches to each other adjacent the bottom of the table top when they are not in use.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a continuous fabric belt with pouches is attached to the edge of an existing table top without legs.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of Figure 6 detailing one manner by which the continuous belt can be fastened to the table top.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to Figures 1,2 and 3, the gaming table top 10 is made up of an apparatus that can either rest upon an existing, relatively square table or be built as a complete table or for attachment to an existing table. In either case, the present invention is constructed by providing a flat table top 12 that is employed as a surface upon which games, such as card or board games, are played. The table top 12 is surrounded by a trim edge 14 which is attached adjacent to the outer edge surface of the table top 12 and extends slightly above its upper surface. The trim edge piece 14 can either be oriented straight up vertically or vertically bent or inclined at an angle on both outer and inner edges (as shown in Figure 4) bent at an angle opposite to each other or in any style. This method of construction creates a table top 12 that has a trim recess 16 surrounding it which enhances its function as a gaming table as it helps to keep such items as game pieces and money on the table top 12 playing surface.

As previously stated, the present invention can either be constructed as a table top for use upon an existing table or as a complete table unit. When using an existing table, the gaming table top 10 is constructed by placing the trim edge 14 around the perimeter of the table top 12 and resting the gaming table top 10, including the table top 12 and the trim edge 14 upon the upper surface of an existing table. The construction of the present invention as a complete unit is accomplished in much the same manner except that the table frame 32 and the table legs 18 are attached directly to the table top 12, rather than to a separate top. The trim edge 14 is attached to the table frame 32 just above the point at which the table legs 18 are attached to it and are fastened there by the use of a plurality of trim fasteners 28. The trim fasteners 28 are typically wood screws or other suitable fasteners which secure the trim edge 14 by passing through the trim edge 14 and into the table top 12. This demonstrates only one possible form of table construction. Another acceptable alternative is to have a hollow or filled molding piece formed to grasp the edge of the table top and/or the fabric pouch container 20. Such an alternative molding piece could be made of wood, plastic, metal or other materials and be fastened to the table top 12 with staples, glue, nails or other materials.

The fabric pouch container 20 component of the present invention hangs in a downward fashion from the lower surface of the trim edge 14 and in front of the table frame 32. The fabric pouch container 20 is formed on its lower end into a plurality of individual pouches 22 which are constructed by folding approximately the bottom third of the fabric over on the middle third and then stitching it in place in a manner that leaves the top open, thus, forming a single pouch along the length of the fabric pouch container 20. This single pouch is then divided into the individual pouches 22 by the use of a plurality of stitched pouch dividers 24 which extend vertically from the lower surface of the fabric pouch container 20 to the pouch opening 26 located on the now upper surface of the folded over lower third of the fabric pouch container 20. This creates a plurality (preferably four) of easily accessible individual pouches 22 on each side of the gaming table top 10

that have a pouch opening 26 just below the trim edge 14 of the invention and which allows each player to easily store and retrieve items, such as game pieces and money from them without interrupting the game.

The preferred manner in which the fabric pouch container 20 is attached to the table top 12 is illustrated in Figure 4. This connection is accomplished by placing the fabric fastening edge 44, which is made up of approximately the top third of the fabric pouch container 20, between the trim edge 14 and the table top 12 in the trim/table gap 30. Therefore, when the trim fasteners 28 are driven through the trim edge 14 and the table top 12, they also pass through the fabric fastening edge 44. This, along with the fact that when the trim edge 14 is tightened to the table top 12 by the use of the trim fasteners 28 it pinches the fastening edge 44 between the two, serves to hold the fabric pouch container 20 in the desired position. If the trim edge 14 rests upon the table top 12, the fabric fastening edge passes up onto the table top 12 slightly to be held by the fasteners and the trim edge 14.

An additional feature of the present invention is also illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. These figures detail the use of an additional fastening device that can be used to hold the fabric pouch container 20 up and out of the way when the table top 12 is not being used for gaming activity.

This attachment is preferably accomplished by using two complemental hook and loop fasteners.

Pouch hook fasteners 34, in an interrupted or continuous piece, are attached to the rear fabric surface 46 in a location that corresponds to the location of pouch loop fasteners 36 that are attached to the front fabric surface 47. The attachment of the fabric pouch container 20 adjacent to the table top bottom surface 48 is made by simply engaging the fabric hook fasteners 34 to the fabric loop fasteners 46 and applying a moderate amount of pressure at the attachment point. Conversely, to detach the fabric pouch container 20 from the location adjacent the table top bottom surface 48, one simply grasps it at the point of attachment and pulls it off with a slight peeling motion.

Preferably, two of the pouch containers 20 on opposite sides of the table have the fabric loop fasteners 36 on the front fabric surface 47 near ends of the pouch container 20. The other two pouch containers 20 preferably include the pouch hook fasteners 34 on the rear fabric surface 46 at the location shown in Figure 4 corresponding to the position of the pouch loop fasteners 36.

Alternatively, each pouch container 20 could include one pouch loop fastener 36 on the front fabric surface 47 adjacent one of the ends of the pouch container 20 and a pouch hook fastener 34 on the rear fabric surface 46 at an end of the pouch container opposite the end which has the pouch loop fastener 37 on the front fabric surface 47. It should also be stated at this point that other fasteners, such as snaps, buttons, adhesive and related fasteners would function effectively also. With this design feature, the fabric pouch container 20 (and therefore the individual pouches 22) can be easily stored out of the way when the invention is not being used for gaming purposes in a manner which keeps the fabric pouch containers 20 and pouches 22 up off of the floor where they might collect dirt or present a slipping hazard. Additionally, when the fabric pouch containers 20 are stored away adjacent the bottom surface 48, the table top can be effectively utilized for purposes

where pouches 22 are not necessary, such as when the table is utilized as an eating surface.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a continuous fabric pouch container 50 is employed in place of the plurality of fabric pouch containers 20 used in the previous embodiment, is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. This embodiment of the invention would typically be used with an existing table and does not make use of the trim edge 14 to secure the continuous fabric pouch container 50 to the table top 12. Instead, the continuous fabric pouch container 50 has a fabric belt 52 which encircles substantially the entire outer edge of the table top 12 and which provides the point of attachment for the individual pouches 22. However, the net effect of providing a plurality of individual pouches 22 having an equal number of upwardly oriented pouch openings 26 is maintained by this embodiment of the invention.

The attachment of this embodiment of the invention to the table top 12 is obtained by the use of strips of hook and loop type fasteners, snaps, or other suitable fasteners. Figure 7 illustrates the use of a strip of belt hook fastener 40 which is attached to the length of the fabric belt back which corresponds in location to the belt loop fastener 42 which is itself attached to the entire outer surface of the table top 12. The attachment of the continuous fabric pouch container 50 to the table top 12 is accomplished by placing the belt hook fastener 40 on the belt back 54 on the belt loop fastener 42 attached to the table top 12 and applying a moderate degree of pressure. Conversely, the removal is accomplished by grasping the fabric belt 52 and with a slight pealing motion pulling the belt hook and loop fasteners, 40 and 42, apart. This embodiment allows for easier use with existing tables without significant modification.

While the belt 52 preferably extends entirely around the table top 12 and provides separate pouches on each side of the table top 12, other lengths and configurations could be provided. For instance, each pouch could include just enough of a velcro belt to allow the pouch to be placed on a single one of the four sides of the table top 12. Hence, if a number less than all four of the sides of the table top 12 are to be fitted with pouches, the user would merely utilize a number of pouches equal to the number of sides of the table top 12 to which pouches are desired and then attach each of these separate pouches individually to the desired sides of the table top 12.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified.

Industrial Applicability This invention exhibits industrial applicability in that it provides a surface that is specifically

designed to be used in the playing of card games or other similar popular table games, such as Mah Jong.

It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide such a surface that is fitted with a number of easily accessible pouches that hang from the edge of the table in front of the individual players.

It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide such a surface containing these pouches within which a player can easily store and sort such items as game pieces, tokens, chips, money or other such items used in or with the game being played at the table.