EP3072561B1 - Retractable table football game - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to foosball, especially retractable foosball that can be used for purposes other than the game of foosball, for example as tables or the like.

We know a unit of game of foosball that can be found in many places, both private, public and commercial. Such a foosball game unit essentially comprises an enclosure having substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped comprising a substantially plane bottom (generally slightly raised at its edges) and side walls bordering this bottom being substantially perpendicular thereto, plurality of slidably and rotatably mounted bars traversing two opposite side walls, the longitudinal axis of these bars defining a given direction, each bar being generally telescopically mounted on a central rod, so that it does not protrude beyond the enclosure on one side thereof, as illustrated in the figures, a handle being integral with the end of each bar which is outside the enclosure, these handles being useful for actuating the bars in a manner known for the practice of the foosball game.

The table football game unit further comprises figures mounted integral bars, so that they are inside the enclosure, to move laterally and rotation driven by the bars when they are operated. These figurines are generally representative of two teams, each one of eleven figurines.

The speaker is mounted on feet so that the players in number at least two, one on each side of the enclosure, can compete and operate the bars relatively easily.

Such a game can easily be used in any place, provided that the space is sufficient even when it is not used, because it is still relatively bulky.

This is even more true when it is used for example privately, especially in classic homes, where the lack of space is more and more felt.

For example, there are known billiard games that are used in such dwellings, but which can be relatively easily covered a board to have another use than the game of billiards, for example as a table or the like for all destinations.

Such an achievement with a foosball game unit, namely to cover it with a board, is hardly conceivable; essentially because the figurines exceed or may exceed the playing enclosure, the manipulation bars of the figures are laterally relatively bulky and may extend voluntarily or accidentally laterally, and the height to which the speaker must be located is too important so that, when covered with a tray, it can be used as a table or the like, as in the case of a billiard table.

Games that are retractable, for example as described and represented in the documents, are known US 6347797 and US 2005/0077678 . These two documents in fact perfectly illustrate the problem that arises for the realization of a game of foosball completely retractable, but without bringing or suggesting the solution.

Also, the present invention is intended to achieve a retractable foosball that overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above, proposing an embodiment having a convenient structure to use while being aesthetic, allowing such a foosball to integrate into any space without denaturing it and to respond to another use than the game of foosball, for example as a dining table or the like.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a retractable foosball adapted to rest on a ground where there is a gravitational force, having the features which are defined in particular in the appended claim 1.

• Les figures 1 à 3 représentent un premier mode de réalisation, bien que non préféré, d'un baby-foot permettant de mettre en exergue les principales caractéristiques du baby-foot selon l'invention, les figures 1 et 2 représentant, en vue de dessus et en coupe de côté référencée A-A sur la figure 1, le baby-foot dans sa configuration en position de jeu, et la figure 3 le représentant dans une vue en coupe conforme à celle de la figure 2 mais dans sa configuration en position escamotée ;
• Les figures 4 à 6 représentent un mode de réalisation préféré du baby-foot selon l'invention, les figures 4 et 5 étant des vues respectivement de dessus et de côté dans la configuration en position de jeu, la figure 6 étant une vue de côté dans la configuration en position escamotée ; et
• Les figures 7 à 9 représentent, en perspective cavalière, le mode de réalisation du baby-foot selon l'invention conforme à celui représenté sur les figures 4 à 6, la figure 7 représentant le baby-foot en position de jeu, la figure 9 le représentant en position escamotée, la figure 8 le représentant en position intermédiaire entre la position de jeu selon la figure 7 et la position escamotée selon la figure 9.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of illustration but in no way limiting, in which:

• The Figures 1 to 3 represent a first embodiment, although not preferred, a foosball to highlight the main features of the football table according to the invention, the Figures 1 and 2 representative, seen from above and in sectional section referenced AA on the figure 1 , the foosball in its configuration in playing position, and the figure 3 the representative in a sectional view according to that of the figure 2 but in its configuration in the retracted position;
• The Figures 4 to 6 represent a preferred embodiment of the football table according to the invention, the Figures 4 and 5 being respectively top and side views in the game position configuration, the figure 6 being a side view in the retracted position configuration; and
• The Figures 7 to 9 represent, in cavalier perspective, the embodiment of the football table according to the invention in accordance with that shown on the Figures 4 to 6 , the figure 7 representing the foosball in playing position, the figure 9 the representative in a retracted position, the figure 8 the representative in the intermediate position between the playing position according to the figure 7 and the retracted position according to the figure 9 .

It is first of all specified that, in the present description, if the adverb "substantially" is associated with a qualifier of a given means, this qualifier must be understood in the strict sense or approached.

The present invention relates retractable foosballs able to rest on So soil where there is a gravitational force defining thereby high points and low points, or similarly higher levels compared to lower levels.

With reference to the appended figures, the foosball table according to the invention comprises a foosball game unit 10 comprising, in a manner known per se, an enclosure 11 having substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped comprising a base 12 substantially plane, possibly slightly raised on its edges, and side walls 13 bordering the bottom being substantially perpendicular thereto.

It is furthermore provided at least one bar 14, generally eight, mounted at least rotatively, and for certain embodiments sliding in translation along its longitudinal axis, crossing two opposite side walls 13, the longitudinal axis 14-1 of this bar. (or bars) defining a given direction Di, a handle 15 integral with one end of the bar (or bars), this end of bar and the handle 15 being located outside the enclosure 11, and at least one figurine 16 (twenty-two in the conventional embodiments, that is to say twice eleven for represent two football teams), mounted solidarity of the bar 14, and so that it is inside the enclosure.

As in the prior art, particularly in some countries, the bars are mounted telescopically in translation on a central rod, but always so that they protrude from the enclosure only on one side thereof.

The game unit is arranged to be fully understood, in its minimum space requirement, that is to say when the bar or bars are positioned so that the handles abut against the side walls 13, without emerge on the other opposite wall, as illustrated in the figures, in particular on the figures 1 , 4 , 7 and 8 , in a cylindrical volume Vo ( Figures 1 to 3 ) of substantially rectangular cross-section whose generator is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom 12.

The football table further comprises a plate 20 of substantially flat rectangular shape defined between two opposite faces 21, 22 and a wafer 23 connecting these two opposite faces, means for securing the bottom 12 of the enclosure 11 with a face 22 of the tray 20 so that the rectangular cross-section of the cylindrical volume Vo is entirely inscribed in the rectangular section of the plate 20, Figures 1 to 3 .

The table football further comprises a frame 30 defining a central opening 31 substantially rectangular, the section 32 of the opening 31 being at least equal to the rectangular section of the plate 30, the leg means 40, the same type as those of the baby -foot of the prior art or conventional tables, and means for mounting these means of base in cooperation with the frame 30 so that the latter is located at a determined distance from So soil which will be defined more particularly in the mode of preferred embodiment hereinafter.

According to an important feature of the invention, the table football has means for moving the assembly consisting of the football game unit 10 and the plate 20 so that the assembly is able to take two positions relative to each other. to the frame, namely a first position called "retraction position" ( figures 2 , 5 and 9 ) in which the plateau 20 located in the opening 31 of the frame 30 and substantially in its plane, the game unit 10 being located below the plate, and a second position called "playing position" ( Figures 1, 3 , 6 and 7 ) in which this game unit 10 is located above the plate.

According to an advantageous and very preferential embodiment, the means for moving the set football game unit 10 / plate 20 are constituted by pivoting means 50 of this set about an axis of rotation 51 substantially parallel to the direction Di and contained in the plane of symmetry of the central aperture 31 parallel to the direction Di.

Preferably, the frame 30 comprises two longitudinal edges 35, 36 substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 51 and two lateral edges 33, 34 substantially parallel to this same axis of rotation, the two lateral edges being mounted in translation relative to the two longitudinal edges in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 51, and therefore to the given direction Di, for a purpose which will be explained below in the description of the use of table football according to the invention.

In one possible embodiment, as illustrated, the plate 20 and the frame 30 advantageously have substantially identical thicknesses.

In addition, the frame 30 having a substantially flat upper face 37, the axis of rotation 51 is located substantially equidistant from the two opposite faces 21, 22 of the plate 20 and furthermore at a distance from the upper planar face 37 of the frame substantially equal to the half-thickness of the plate.

It is understood that the table football preferably comprises at least one goal cage 70 secured to one of the side walls 13 of the enclosure 11 (actually two cages facing each other on two side walls opposite the enclosure), the cage being located outside this enclosure, a trough or the like 71 being made, for example in the tray or in cooperation with the two side edges 33, 34 of the frame 30 (it is the latter possibility that is illustrated in the figures) by opening at one end in the floor of the cage to receive the balls of the foosball game and lead them outside the frame 30.

It is also preferable that the table football further comprises locking-unlocking means cooperatively mounted between the foosball game unit 10 and the frame 30 to lock / unlock this game unit with respect to the frame in at least one of the first and second positions, preferably in both positions. These means can be realized in different ways: ratchet, lock, etc. which are in the field of those skilled in the art. They will not be more fully described here, for the sole purpose of simplifying the present description.

In addition, it is also very advantageous that the half-length of the plate 20 taken perpendicularly to the given direction Di is at most equal to the height of the leg means 40 or the distance defined above, this height being taken between the frame 30 and soil So when the base means rest on this floor. This last feature allows the plate 20 to pivot about the axis 51 without it abuts against So soil, thus facilitating the use of foosball as will be described below.

To improve its aesthetics, the football has a very advantageously skirt 60 and means for mounting the skirt in cooperation with, for example, the base means 40. This skirt 60 preferably has a height, taken perpendicular to the plane of the frame 30 , substantially equal to the maximum overall height of the game unit 10 taken perpendicular to the plane of the bottom 12 of the enclosure 11, and it is further arranged to surround at least partially, preferably completely, the unit of set 10 when the game unit unit 10 / plate 20 is in its first position as defined above and illustrated on the figures 3 , 5 and 9 .

Of course, preferably, to facilitate its implementation and reduce the cost, tray 20 and the bottom 12 are in one piece. In this case, the bottom 12 and the face 22 of the plate 20 are only one face.

• On suppose que le baby-foot selon l'invention est en position de jeu comme représenté sur les figures 1, 2, 4, 5 et 7. Lorsque les joueurs ne veulent plus jouer, ils débloquent le plateau 20 par rapport au cadre 30. Préalablement, ils écartent les bords 33, 34 du cadre 30 pour les éloigner du plateau 20 de façon à pouvoir faire pivoter l'ensemble unité de jeu 10/plateau 20 autour de l'axe 51 comme évoqué sur la figure 8, jusqu'à ce que le plateau se place dans le plan du cadre 30 comme représenté sur les figures 3, 6 et 9.

The table football according to the invention is used in the following manner described in the case of its preferred embodiment illustrated on the Figures 4 to 9 :

• It is assumed that the football game according to the invention is in play position as shown on the Figures 1, 2 , 4, 5 and 7 . When the players do want to play, they unlock the plate 20 relative to the frame 30. Beforehand, they separate the edges 33, 34 of the frame 30 away from the plate 20 so as to rotate the entire game unit 10 / plate 20 around of axis 51 as evoked on the figure 8 , until the plate is placed in the plane of the frame 30 as shown on the figures 3 , 6 and 9 .

In this position, they block the plate 20 relative to the frame 30 and then bring the lateral edges 33, 34 closer together until they come into contact with the edge 23 of the plate, so as to produce, as illustrated on FIG. figure 9 , a continuous flat surface. The game unit 10, which is then below the plate, is hidden from view by the skirt 60 mounted in association with the base 40 as described above, while noting that this skirt has another function, that of preventing the bars 14 from sliding relative to the enclosure 11 and to clutter the space around the foosball when it is in the retracted position, the handles abut against the inner wall of this skirt 60. In this configuration, the table football can be easily used as a table, for example to play cards or other games, to eat, etc.

Claims (10)

1. A retractable table football game suitable for standing on ground (So) where there exists a gravitational force, thereby defining high points and low points, the game comprising:

   - a baby football game unit (10) comprising:

   - an enclosure (11) presenting substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a bottom (12) that is substantially plane and side walls (13) bordering said bottom and being substantially perpendicular thereto;

   - at least one bar (14) mounted at least rotatably and passing through two opposite side walls (13), the longitudinal axis (14-1) of the bar defining a given direction (Di);

   - a handle (15) secured to one end of said bar, said bar end and the handle (15) being situated outside said enclosure (11); and

   - at least one figure (16) secured to the bar (14) in such a manner that it is inside said enclosure;

   - said game unit being completely contained, in its minimum extent form, in a prismatic volume (Vo) of substantially rectangular cross-section having its generator line substantially perpendicular to the plane of said bottom (12);

   - a table top (20) of substantially plane rectangular shape defined between two opposite faces (21, 22) and an edge face (23) connecting together the two opposite faces;

   - means for securing the bottom (12) of said enclosure (11) to one of the faces (22) of the table top (20) so that the rectangular cross-section of said prismatic volume (Vo) is inscribed completely within the rectangular section of the table top (20);

   - a frame (30) defining a substantially rectangular central opening (31), the section (32) of the opening (31) being not less than the rectangular section of the table top (20);

   - stand means (40);

   - means for mounting said stand means in co-operation with said frame (30) in such a manner that said frame is situated at a determined distance from the ground (So); and

   - means for moving the assembly constituted by the table football game unit (10) and the table top (20) so that it can occupy two positions relative to the frame, namely:

   - a first position in which said table top (20) lies in the opening (31) of the frame (30) and substantially in its plane, the game unit (10) being situated below the table top; and

   - a second position in which said game unit (10) is situated above the table top (20).
2. A table football game according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means for moving the assembly constituted by the table game unit (10) and the table top (20) are constituted by pivot means (50) for pivoting said assembly about an axis of rotation (51) substantially parallel to said direction (Di) and contained in the plane of symmetry of said central opening (31) parallel to said direction (Di).
3. A table football game according to either preceding claim when dependent on claim 2, characterized by the fact that said frame (30) has two longitudinal edges (35, 36) substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation (51) and two side edges (33, 34) substantially parallel to said axis of rotation, the two side edges of the frame being mounted to move in translation relative to the two longitudinal edges along a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation.
4. A table football game according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said table top (20) and said frame (30) are of substantially equal thicknesses.
5. A table football game according to any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 2, characterized by the fact that said frame (30) presents a top face (37) that is substantially plane and said axis of rotation (51) is situated substantially at equal distances from the two opposite faces (21, 22) of the table top (20) and at a distance from the top plane face (37) of the frame that is substantially equal to half the thickness of the table top.
6. A table football game according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said table football game unit includes at least one goal cage (70) secured to one of the side walls of said enclosure, the cage being situated outside said enclosure, and a chute (71) opening out via at least one end in said cage to receive the balls of the table football game.
7. A table football game according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes blocking-unblocking means mounted to co-operate with said table football game unit and said frame to block/unblock said game unit relative to said frame in at least one of the first and second positions.
8. A table football game according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the half-length of the table top (20) taken perpendicularly to said given direction (Di) is no greater than the height of the stand means (40), this height being measured between the frame (30) and the ground (So) when said stand means are standing on the ground.
9. A table football game according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes a skirt (60) and means for mounting said skirt in co-operation with the stand means (40), said skirt (60) having a height measured perpendicularly to the plane of the frame that is substantially equal to the maximum height occupied by said game unit measured perpendicularly to the plane of the bottom (12) of said enclosure (11), said skirt also being arranged to surround at least in part the game unit (10) when the assembly constituted by the game unit (10) and the table top (20) is in its first position.
10. A table football game according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said table top (20) and said bottom (12) form a single part.

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