초록 ▼

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a game table that has a plurality of cups that may be automatically moved from a storage position to a playing position. In certain other embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a game table that has a plurality of cups that ma

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a game table that has a plurality of cups that may be automatically moved from a storage position to a playing position. In certain other embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a game table that has a plurality of cups that may be manually moved from a storage position to a playing position. In certain other embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to devices and methods that allow a user to provide a payment mechanism, and upon the acceptance of the payment mechanism, a game table will move a plurality of cups from a storage position to a playing position. In some embodiments, provision is made for the dispensing of a liquid drink or other reward when predetermined actions occur during play of the game. Although the presently disclosed embodiments will work with any game requiring cups for play, the disclosure makes reference to the game of Beer Pong for convenience of description. No limitation of the disclosure is thereby intended or to be inferred.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A game table, comprising: a playing surface having a top surface and a bottom surface;a plurality of openings formed through the playing surface;a plurality of cups, wherein each of said plurality of cups is disposed adjacent a respective one of said plurality of openings;a plurality of linear tr

1. A game table, comprising: a playing surface having a top surface and a bottom surface;a plurality of openings formed through the playing surface;a plurality of cups, wherein each of said plurality of cups is disposed adjacent a respective one of said plurality of openings;a plurality of linear translation devices, each of said linear translation devices having a first position and a second position, wherein each of said linear translation devices interacts with a respective one of said plurality of cups;wherein placing one of said plurality of linear translation devices into said first position positions a respective one of said plurality of cups into a storage position in which a majority of said cup is positioned below said playing surface; andwherein placing one of said plurality of linear translation devices into said second position positions a respective one of said plurality of cups into a playing position in which at least a portion of said cup is positioned above said playing surface. 2. The game table of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of linear translation devices comprises a cam. 3. The game table of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of linear translation devices is selected from the group consisting of: manually operated device, crankshaft and connecting rod assembly, stepper motor linear actuator and lead screw assembly. 4. The game table of claim 1, further comprising a liquid solution disposed in each of said plurality of cups. 5. The game table of claim 4, wherein said liquid solution comprises a sanitary solution. 6. The game table of claim 1, further comprising: at least one cover disposed adjacent said bottom surface, said at least one cover having a closed position and an open position;wherein said at least one cover blocks at least a portion of said plurality of openings when said at least one cover is in said closed position; andwherein said at least one cover does not block at least a portion of said plurality of openings when said at least one cover is in said open position. 7. The game table of claim 6, further comprising: a scissor mechanism operatively coupled to said at least one cover, said scissor mechanism having a first scissor mechanism position and a second scissor mechanism position;wherein said at least one cover is in said closed position when said scissor mechanism is in said first scissor mechanism position; andwherein said at least one cover is in said open position when said scissor mechanism is in said second scissor mechanism position. 8. The game table of claim 1, further comprising: a controller operatively coupled to each of said plurality of linear translation devices, wherein said controller is operative to place each of said linear translation devices into said first position or said second position. 9. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of object sensors, each of said plurality of object sensors having an object sensor output operatively coupled to said controller;wherein each of said plurality of object sensors is operative to generate an object signal at said object sensor output indicative that an object has been placed into a respective one of said plurality of cups. 10. The game table of claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of object sensors comprises a light source and light detector pair. 11. The game table of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of object ejectors, each of said plurality of object ejectors being associated with a respective one of said plurality of cups and being operatively coupled to said controller;wherein said controller is operative to cause each of said plurality of object ejectors to eject an object from a respective one of said plurality of cups when said object sensor associated with said respective one of said plurality of cups generates said object signal. 12. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of object ejectors, each of said plurality of object ejectors being associated with a respective one of said plurality of cups and being operatively coupled to said controller. 13. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of touch sensors, each of said plurality of touch sensors having a touch sensor output operatively coupled to said controller;wherein each of said plurality of touch sensors is operative to generate a touch signal at said touch sensor output indicative that a respective one of said plurality of cups has been touched. 14. The game table of claim 13, wherein each of said plurality of touch sensors comprises a proximity switch. 15. The game table of claim 13, wherein said controller is operative to cause each of said plurality of linear translation devices to place a respective one of said plurality of cups into said storage position when said touch sensor associated with said respective one of said plurality of cups generates said touch signal. 16. The game table of claim 9, wherein said controller is operative to cause each of said plurality of linear translation devices to place a respective one of said plurality of cups into said storage position when said object sensor associated with said respective one of said plurality of cups generates said object signal. 17. The game table of claim 8, wherein said controller is operative to re-rack said plurality of cups by controlling said plurality of linear translation devices. 18. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a payment acceptor operatively coupled to said controller, said payment acceptor having a payment acceptor output operatively coupled to said controller;wherein said payment acceptor is operative to generate a payment signal at said payment acceptor output indicative that payment of at least a predetermined amount has been received by said payment acceptor. 19. The game table of claim 18, wherein said payment acceptor is selected from the group consisting of a currency coin acceptor, a currency bill acceptor, a card reader, a radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor, a keypad for entering information, and a token acceptor. 20. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a reward dispenser operatively coupled to said controller, said reward dispenser having a reward dispenser input operatively coupled to said controller;wherein said reward dispenser is operative to dispense a reward after receiving an input from said controller at said reward dispenser input. 21. The game table of claim 20, wherein said reward comprises a drink. 22. The game table of claim 21, wherein said drink is selected from the group consisting of beer, soft drinks, non-beer alcoholic drinks, juices and water. 23. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a ticket dispenser operatively coupled to said controller, said ticket dispenser having a ticket dispenser input operatively coupled to said controller;wherein said ticket dispenser is operative to dispense a ticket after receiving an input from said controller at said ticket dispenser input. 24. The game table of claim 23, wherein said ticket is selected from the group consisting of paper tickets, tokens, information stored on a card supplied by a user, and notification to a wait staff member. 25. The game table of claim 1, wherein said game comprises Beer Pong. 26. The game table of claim 1, further comprising trademark indicia on said playing surface. 27. The game table of claim 8, wherein said controller is coupled to a remote computing device for the transmission and receipt of data. 28. The game table of claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of linear translation devices is adapted to be placed manually into said first position when a player applies a downward force on said respective one of said plurality of cups; andeach of said plurality of linear translation devices is adapted to be placed manually into said second position when a player applies an upward force on said respective one of said plurality of cups. 29. The game table of claim 8, further comprising: a ball dispenser having a ball dispenser input operatively coupled to said controller;wherein each of said ball dispenser is operative to dispense a ball when a predetermined control signal is received from the controller.