WO1995011733A2

WO1995011733A2 - Low-profile, common design pocket, snooker and billiard table

Info

Publication number: WO1995011733A2
Application number: PCT/US1994/011858
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard W. Brandt; Daniel W. Brandt; John P. Harvey
Original assignee: Precision Pro Partnership
Priority date: 1993-10-21
Filing date: 1994-10-18
Publication date: 1995-05-04
Also published as: WO1995011733A3; AU8121294A

Abstract

This invention is a unitary, common design of a game table (10) that may be used as a pocket or snooker pool table or as a carom billiard table in either an outdoor or an indoor environment and as either a coin-operated table or a non-coin-operated table has a low profile in elevation and is substantially made of synthetic, non-naturally occurring materials. The apparatus includes a table (11) having perimeter sides (18) supported by a plurality of legs (22) and a bed (54) supported by the table defining a horizontal playing surface. A rail (16) above the bed (54) supports a ball cushion (14) substantially surrounding the playing surface. The perimeter side members (18) are extrusions and the bed may be made of a non-naturally occurring material having a hardness at least as great as that of slate, such as tempered glass. The cushion (14) includes an extruded base (70), a resilient nose (72) affixed to the base, and a fabric cover (78) extending over the nose and affixed to the base.

Description

LOW-PROFILE, COMMON DESIGN POCKET, SNOOKER AND CAROM BILLIARD TABLE Background of the Invention The invention relates generally to a table game played with balls rolled on a horizontal bed surrounded by cushions and, more particularly, to billiard tables and a method of servicing such billiard tables. More particularly, the invention relates to a common design that may be utilized as either a pocket billiard table, a carom billiard table, or a snooker billiard table for use in either an indoor environment or an outdoor environment, as either a coin-operated or a non-coin- operated apparatus.

Billiard tables have undergone little design change during the last century. Snooker billiard tables and pocket billiard tables, both referred to herein as "pool tables," and carom billiard tables (which shall hereinafter be collectively be referred to as "billiard tables," unless otherwise stated), are made almost entirely from naturally occurring materials. In particular, the table is built up of wood products, such as solid wood, plywood and particle board, and supports a bed that defines the playing surface, which is typically made from quarried slate, blue stone, marble, or from manufactured composites. Such tables are notoriously difficult and time-consuming to erect at the use site, often requiring two or more technicians an entire day, or more, to install. When the cloth cover overlying the bed and cushions requires replacement, which may occur quite frequently depending upon the amount of use and abuse of the table, the service activity is onerous. Two or more technicians must remove the fastener securing the bed to its supports. The bed must then be manually lifted above the level of the rails and temporary supports placed between the bed and the rails. The cloth cover is then stripped from the bed, to which it is typically attached by an adhesive or staples. After the new cloth is adhered to the bed, the bed is again lowered into place and shimmed to a proper orientation. Fasteners are then inserted into the edges of the bed in order to secure it into place. The cushions are recovered by removing a multiplicity of staples holding the cover in place and re-stapling a new cover prior to reattachment to the rails above the refurbished bed. Because the cloth cover must be replaced frequently, relative to the usage of the table, the maintenance cost of a table is a large component in the total cost of operating such table. An additional difficulty in servicing billiard tables is that of leveling the table. It is known to provide screw-jack leveling legs on the four corners of the table. In order to level the table, the technician places a level vial on the playing surface and determines which leg requires adjustment. The technician then stoops to the floor, adjusts the leg and stands up to determine what impact the adjustment has had on the orientation of the table. This process is repeated until the table is level. Tables without the screw-jack leveling device would normally require shims or wedges.

It is known to adapt billiard table designs for outdoor use. Naturally occurring materials tend to be hydrophilic. Therefore, accommodations must be found in order to make such materials suitable for such application. It is known to make the table portion from non-naturally occurring materials, such as fabricated metal. However, the bed remains slate and is treated with a moisture sealant coating in order to reduce the hydrophilic properties of the slate. Another difficulty with billiard tables made from naturally occurring materials is that the tolerances are poor by modern standards. For example, a present industry leader advertises that its one-piece italian slate pool table is precision ground within plus or minus 10/1000 of an inch, in smoothness, for true ball roll. This means that such table may vary in smoothness by up to 1/50 of an inch, which is a significant variation. Furthermore, such tables are sometimes made from three-piece slate, which produces two seams in the bed, which introduces the possibility of yet further errors in the smoothness of the playing surface.

Another cause for varying the design of a billiard table is in order to install coin-operated ball dispensing equipment for use in barrooms, restaurants and the like. When viewing the typical vending table from the side and ends, the coin- operated pool table is a bulky apparatus that is difficult to use. The reason is that compromises that are necessary in order to incorporate the coin-operated ball dispensing mechanism. In domestic and pool hall ball-return pool tables, the numbered balls and the cue ball are returned to one end of the table. This requires only one level in the ball return to collect the balls from the pockets to a common location and to discharge the balls to one end of the table. In contrast, the coin-operated pool table typically requires four levels of ball travel. The first level is to collect the balls to a common location. The second level is to sort the balls and direct the cue ball to one end of the table and the numbered balls to the coin-operated ball dispenser, which is positioned on a long side of the table. The third level is required for the dispensing of the balls from an upper storage level to a lower dispense level. Finally, the balls travel from the dispense level of the ball dispenser to a vault located at a narrow side of the table on the fourth level. Because each level of ball travel is significantly deeper than the diameter of a ball, the requirement for four levels of ball travel in a coin-operated pool table necessitates the deep profile. Furthermore, the coin-operated pool table is difficult to use. The numbered balls are routed to a ball viewing area on the long side of the table, at which the users may view which balls have been sunk. The coin mechanism is located adjacent thereto but the vault, to which the balls are dispensed, is located at the narrow end of the table opposite the cue ball return. Thus, after inserting money into the coin mechanism, which is relatively low with respect to the table top, the user must then walk to the narrow end of the table, where the vault is located, and stoop even further because the vault is located at the lowermost of the four ball travel levels. The user must then transfer the balls from the close-to-the-ground ball-dispensing vault to the table top, which requires either repeated stooping, or remaining in a stooped position while the balls are transferred to the rack resting on the playing surface.

Thus, it is seen that the state of the art of billiard-table development has many deficiencies, which result in a significant increase in the cost of owning and operating a billiard table and other disadvantages in use. Summary of the Invention

The present invention is intended to provide a unitary, common design of a game table that may be adapted to use as a pocket or snooker billiard table (pool table) or as a carom billiard table in either an indoor or an outdoor environment. Furthermore, the same fundamental design may be adapted to use as a coin- operated pool table without an attendant increase in the elevational profile of the table. The present invention is intended to completely replicate the present action, or feel, of the game while only improving the construction and function of the apparatus. According to an aspect of the invention, a table game apparatus is provided that has a low profile in elevation and is substantially made of synthetic, non-naturally occurring materials. For example, the playing surface may be supported by a bed made of a non-naturally occurring material having a hardness at least as great as that of slate. In the illustrated embodiment, this material is glass which may be tempered glass. Alternatively, acrylics and other plastics are possible that have these properties. Not only does such a bed avoid the hydrophilic properties of slate, it is significantly more durable and may be provided with a much closer tolerance smoothness than naturally occurring slate. Furthermore, unlike other slate substitutes, it "feels" like slate to the player. As another example, each of the side members of the table may be made of extruded metal which may be joined at the corners by cast metal members.

According to another aspect of the invention, side members are supported on a planar base member in order to transfer the function of making the table rigid from the side members to the base member. This is advantageous in order to allow the side members to be carved up, as necessary, to accommodate features of the table, such as a ball dispensing mechanism and the like. In all cases, the bed provides the necessary rigidity as well as a very precise planar surface for level support of the side members. In the illustrated embodiment, the base is made from reinforced fiberglass or metal.

According to another aspect of the invention, a table game apparatus includes a bed supported by a table. The bed defines a horizontal playing surface. A rail above the bed supporting a ball cushion substantially surrounding the playing surface. The cushion includes a base, a resilient nose affixed to the base, and a fabric cover extending over the nose and affixed to the base. A plurality of fasteners extend through the rail and engage the base in order to removably attach the cushion to the rail. The plurality of fasteners may be biased away from the playing surface in order to provide clearance for removing the bed. The cushions include means for defining a plurality of ball receiving pockets in the cushion. The means include a separate end member attached to the base on each side of the pockets. The end member includes a body defining a plurality of ball contacting surfaces and an extension of the body. The extension engages a recess in the base in order to attach the end member to the base. The cushion further includes means for attaching the cover to the base. The means may include multiple separate attaching means, such as recesses defined in the base in order to receive a cord compressed in the recess for retaining a portion of the cover in the recess and a surface member affixed to the base having a texture that is capable of capturing pointed fasteners. The cover may be attached to the surface member by utilizing conventional pointed fasteners or an adhesive.

A coin-operated pool table, according to the invention, may include a coin- operated ball dispenser that is built in at a narrow end of the table for receiving the numbered balls and for dispensing the balls to a vault accessible by the user. Preferably, the vault is directly below the ball dispensing area and the balls are routed directly to a receiving area within the dispenser at which the sunk balls may be viewed through a transparent window. In this manner, the balls may be routed to the ball dispenser and the cue ball routed to the opposite narrow end of the table with only two levels of ball travel to maintain a low-profile table design. Furthermore, the ball accessing vault is much closer to the playing surface than with conventional coin-vending pool tables. Thus, the user may transfer balls from the vault to the table top without deep stooping and with a minimal amount of effort. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a coin-operated ball dispenser includes a dispensing gate, an actuator for the gate that is responsive to a stroke of a coin acceptor to move the gate to a dispensing position and a lock that mechanically secures the gate in a non-dispensing position. The lock is unlocked during an initial portion of the stroke of the coin acceptor and the gate is moved to the dispensing position during a subsequent portion of the stroke. In this manner, the gate is positively locked whenever the coin acceptor is not accepting coins in order to avoid tampering with the dispensing gate. In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing gate is supported by a shaft in order to pivot to dispense balls to the vault and includes a spring that stores energy during the stroke of the coin acceptor and releases the energy in order to pivot the gate to a non-dispensing position subsequent to the stroke of the coin acceptor. This provides an exceptionally smooth and effortless acceptance of coins in contrast to conventional coin-operated tables. The ball dispenser may further include a ball support defined by a stationary support edge and the moveable dispensing gate. In this manner, the dispensing gate supports only a portion of the weight of the balls in the ball dispenser. This enhances the integrity of the design and further assists in the effortless dispensing of the balls by providing a low-mass dispensing mechanism.

A table game apparatus according to a further aspect of the invention includes a table, a bed supported by the table defining a horizontal playing surface, a rail above the bed supporting a ball cushion surrounding the playing surface and a lifting mechanism in the table that is configured to lift the bed vertically above the rail in order to service the bed. In a preferred embodiment, the lifting mechanism is adapted for operation manually by a hand tool, or by a manual or a battery operated wrench, and lifts the bed while maintaining the bed in a horizontal orientation. Thus, a pool table may be serviced, using a method according to a further aspect of the invention, by an individual attendant operating the lifting mechanism in order to elevate the bed above the rail. The lifting mechanism may be configured to raise the bed sufficiently above the rail in order to insert safety supports, such as a pair of two-by-four boards, between the rail and the elevated bed, before servicing the bed. In servicing the bed, the fabric cover may be affixed to the bed utilizing hooked fasteners or by contact adhesive. The side members are configured in order to accommodate fasteners, if used, and any excess fabric under the bed.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a table game apparatus includes a plurality of legs to support the table and a leveling, or height adjusting, mechanism in each of the legs. A motion-transmitting device extends from each leveling mechanism toward the table frame in order to allow each leg-leveling mechanism to be adjusted from above the table. Thus, a pool table may be serviced, using a method according to a further aspect of the invention, including engaging the actuators from above the table to operate the height-adjusting mechanisms while observing a level gauge on the table. This allows the table to be leveled in a significantly shorter period of time by eliminating the repeated stooping and standing of the technician. These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table game apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines II-II in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the lines III-III in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a table game apparatus according to the invention with portions removed to illustrate internal features thereof;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a table game apparatus according to the invention with portions removed to illustrate internal features thereof;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a ball receiving and dispensing assembly, according to the invention, in a ball-retaining position; Fig. 7 is the same view as Fig. 6 of the assembly in a dispensing position;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view from the general direction VIII- VIII in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by IX in Fig. 2; Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a cushion, according to the invention; Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of the cushion in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the lines XII-XII in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of a left-handed corner-pocket cushion end member, according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the end member in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the end member in Fig. 13; Fig. 16 is a front elevation of a left-handed side-pocket cushion end member, according to the invention;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the end member in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the end member in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is the same view as Fig. 2 of an alternative perimeter member, according to the invention;

Fig. 20 is the same view as Fig. 2 of another alternative perimeter member, according to the invention; and Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of the portion designated XXI in Fig. 19.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now specifically to the drawings, and illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a table game apparatus 10 includes a table 11 having a playing surface 12 surrounded by cushions 14, which are supported by rails 16 (Fig. 1). Rails 16 are defined at upper portions of four perimeter side members 18, whose ends are joined by corner members 20. Table 11 further includes four support columns, or legs 22. In the illustrated embodiment, table game apparatus 10 is a coin-operated pool table and, thereby, includes ball pockets 24 set within cushions 14 for receiving balls which, with the exception of the cue ball, are delivered to a ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 positioned at a narrow end of table 11. Ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 includes a coin acceptor 28, for receiving payment for use of game apparatus 10, a ball receiving area behind transparent window 34 through which the user may view balls that have been sunk in pockets 24, a ball-dispensing mechanism 30, and a ball access vault 32 to which balls are dispensed in response to proper operation of coin acceptor 28 (Figs. 1 and 6-8). Although conventional coin acceptors utilize coins or tokens, the term "coin acceptor," as used herein, encompasses all forms of payment including paper denominations, debit and credit cards and the like. Although, in the illustrative embodiment, table game apparatus 10 is illustrated as a coin-operated pool table, the principles disclosed herein may also be applied to a non-coin-operated pocket billiard table useful in domestic and pool hall applications to a snooker table, as well as to a carom, or three-cushion, billiard table. Additionally, pockets 24 could be configured as snooker pockets to provide a snooker billiard table. For all such applications, the elevational profile of the table, designated "P" in Fig. 1, is minimized. Indeed, table 11 has a low profile even for the coin-operated pool table illustrated herein. The only portion of apparatus 10 that is deeper than the overall profile P is the ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26. Even then, ball access vault 32 is significantly closer to the height of playing surface 12 than is the vault of a conventional coin-operated pool table. As will be set forth in more detail below, this is possible because, in contrast to conventional coin-operated pool tables, the illustrated table game apparatus 10 utilizes only two levels in the ball return system and the numbered balls delivered to the ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 are delivered from the uppermost of the two ball levels.

Perimeter side members 18 are made of metal extrusions (Fig. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, side members 18 are made up of an upper aluminum extrusion 36 and a lower aluminum extrusion 38 that are fastened together by fasteners 40. Extrusions 36 and 38 are formed with interlocking flanges 42, which assist fasteners 40 in retaining the extrusions together. Lower extrusion 38 is mounted to an upper surface 42 of a base member 44, which is supported by legs 22. Base member 44 is made from reinforced fiberglass or metal having a network of intersecting reinforcing ribs 46 formed therein. Because the fiberglass layers making up base 44 are laid up to a mold, upper surface 42 may be made exceptionally true and planar by precision grinding of the mold surface in order to provide exceptionally true alignment among side members 18. Furthermore, base member 44 bears the load of side members 18. This allows for interruptions in the integrity of the side member 18, for example, at the narrow end of table 11 at which ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 is located. Because the base 44, not sides 18, impart rigidity to table 11, such interruption in the continuity of sides 18 do not compromise the rigidity of the table. Fasteners 48 retains lower aluminum extrusion 38 to upper surface 42 of base 44. Although side members 18 are divided into two extrusions in the illustrated embodiment in order to simplify the extruding process, it would be possible to extrude single-piece side members or to divide the side members into three or more extrusions.

Upper aluminum extrusion 36 includes a vertical wall 50, which positions the outer edge 52 of a bed 54 which defines playing surface 12. As is conventional, bed 54 is covered with a cloth cover 56. Inner wall 50 additionally provides a mounting surface for cushion 14. Upper aluminum extrusion 36 includes a second vertical wall 58 which defines a land 60 for supporting lateral braces 62, which extend entirely across table 11 at two or three spaced positions along the length of table 11. Vertical wall 58 additionally defines a land 64 which serves to support bed 54. A recess 66 is defined in upper aluminum extrusion 36 outwardly of land 64 in order to provide space for accumulation of excess material of cloth cover 56. Recess 66 may also provide space for use of contact cement, hooked or barbed fasteners adhered to a bottom surface of bed 54 for removable attachment of cloth cover 56. In the illustrated embodiment, such fasteners 68 are self-adhering to cloth material and are marketed under the trademark " Velcro™. " Alternatively, cloth cover 56 could be adhered to bed 54 by a more conventional contact adhesive. In the illustrated embodiment, cloth cover 56 is a felt made from a blend of fabrics such as a synthetic fabric and wool. The synthetic fabric may be selected from nylon, rayon, polyester, or the like. The ratio of synthetic fabric to wool preferably is selected from between approximately 30:70 and approximately 50:50 with a most preferred ratio being approximately 40:60. Such material has ball-engaging characteristics as close as possible to conventional felt without stretching excessively when wet. This is especially useful for outdoor applications.

An alternative perimeter side member 216 is made up of an upper extrusion 218 and a lower extrusion 220 (Fig. 19). Extrusions 218 and 220 include complimentary dovetail surfaces 222, 224, which allow the extrusions to be joined without fasteners. Perimeter side member 216 is preferably for a ball- return pocket pool table. Lower aluminum extrusion 220 may be machined in order to accommodate the dispensing mechanism 30. Another alternative embodiment of a perimeter side member 226 is useful for tables which do not utilize a ball-returning mechanism, such as some pool hall and home pool tables as well as snooker and carom billiard tables (Fig. 20). Perimeter side member 226 utilizes a single aluminum extrusion 218. Perimeter side member 216 may be attached directly to a support leg 22. Because perimeter side member 216 is intended for use with an apparatus 10 not incorporating a coin-operated ball dispenser, base member 46 is not needed to block access to the ball dispenser.

Perimeter side members 216 and 226 utilize a fastener 208 penetrating the rail of extrusion 218 and including a C-clip 210 in order to retain the threaded end of the fastener in a cavity 212. This avoids the difficulty of attempting to align fastener 208 with the widely spaced apart openings through which it is to extend. In order to avoid damage to bed 54 when replacing cover 56, a compression spring 214 biases fastener 208 away from the bed, to the left as viewed in Fig. 21, whereby the threaded end of the fastener is retracted within cavity 212. An L-shaped spacer 213 accommodates the varying thickness of bed 54 and provides a cushion between the bed and extrusion 218.

In the illustrated embodiment, bed 54 is made from a non-naturally occurring material, such as soda-lime glass. Such material has the advantage of being non-hydrophilic. Therefore, bed 54 may be used in an outdoor environment without the necessity for costly sealant treatment as required to make slate waterproof. Additionally, glass has a hardness that is at least as great as that of slate and other naturally occurring materials used for beds and a density that is comparable to that of such naturally occurring materials. It thereby provides a virtually identical response in the playing of the game to that of slate, except that the glass bed 54 may be made smoother than slate. In addition, glass is stronger than slate. Preferably, bed 54 is made from tempered glass which is several times stronger than non-tempered glass. In this manner, bed 54 eliminates several of the most significant drawbacks of slate while being indistinguishable to the user from a slate top. In the illustrated embodiment, bed 54 is 0.5 inch thick, but may be made thinner for tables that are intended to be of a lower price-point than the illustrated apparatus. In that case, spacers may be inserted between land 64 and bed 54 in order to accommodate the reduction in thickness of the bed. Bed 54 may also be made thicker than 0.5 inches. Bed 54 may be manufactured using well-known glass-working techniques, which provide an exceptionally flat, smooth, surface without requiring surface grinding used to make naturally occurring materials sufficiently flat and smooth to function as a bed.

Because glass is also transparent, apparatus 10 may be equipped with lighting fixtures below bed 54. By covering bed 54 with a light-colored or translucent cover 56, the playing surface may be lit in a unique manner which advantageously provides weather protection for the light fixtures.

Cushions 14 include a base member 70, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a metal extrusion, to which is mounted a nose 72 made of the same rubber as utilized in cushions of conventional pool tables (Fig. 9). A pair of channels 74a, 74b are formed in base 70 into which are inserted cord members 76a and 76b for the purpose of retaining a cloth cover 78 to the cushion 14. Cushion 14 is attached to rail 16 by fasteners 80 extending through the upper portion of aluminum extrusion 36. Fastener 80 includes a retainer 82 in order to retain the fastener in its place during servicing of table 11. A camming surface 84 is formed on either rail 16 or base member 70, or both, to place a downward force on cushion 14 as fastener 80 draws base 70 against inner wall 50. This downward force on cushion 14 locks bed 54 against land 64 without the requirement for fasteners passing through the bed. It should be noted that the weight of bed 54 may be sufficient to retain the bed in proper position during use. It is only during shipment that the bed must be locked by the downward force exerted by cushions 14 in order to avoid movement of the bed.

An alternative embodiment of a cushion 160 includes a base 162 and a nose 164 enveloped by a cloth 166 (Figs. 10-12). Base 162 includes an extruded frame 170 having terminal end portions 172, which retain an insert 178 within the frame. A fastener socket 180 is embedded in insert 178 in order to fasten the cushion to the rail. Each end portion 172 includes a first protrusion 174 and a second protrusion 176 in order to provide a double dovetail joint between frame 170 and insert 178. This double dovetail joint prevents loosening between insert 178 and frame 170 by resisting forces tending to flex the insert resulting from fastener 208 engaging fastener socket 180, as well as the forces created by a ball striking nose 164. A cord 168 engaging recess in frame 170 retains cloth 166 in its position surrounding nose 164 and base 162. Although the use of such fastening technique is considered preferred, the present invention accommodates existing techniques for fastening cloth 166 to base 162. This is accomplished by insert 178 having a texture similar to wood that may be penetrated by and retained a fastener inserted into the insert. In this manner, a technician may utilize staples or other such fastener in order to fasten cloth 166 to the base. Alternatively, a technician may utilize a contact adhesive (not shown) in order to adhere cloth 166 to the outer surface of insert 178. In the illustrated embodiment, frame 170 is extruded from aluminum or PVC. Insert 178 is molded from synthetic rubber having a durometer value of between approximately 95 and approximately 100. Cushion 160 may be utilized universally in all positions on apparatus 10 and for all applications of apparatus 10 by the use of end members at the portion of the cushion defining ball pockets. In the illustrated embodiment, a left-handed end member 182 for use with a pool table comer pocket has a body 184 and an extension 186 (Figs. 10 and 13-15). Body 184 defines a top cushion surface 190, an undercut cushion surface 192, and a pocket side wall surface 194. Body 184 is hollowed from behind in order to define a cavity 188 which provides the appropriate response to a ball. Extension 186 is configured to be received within frame 170 in order to attach the end member to the base 162.

Similarly, a left-handed end member 196 for use with a pool table side pocket includes a body 198 and an extension 200. Body 198 defines a cushioned top surface 202, an undercut surface 204, and a pocket side wall 206. Extension 200 is configured to be received within frame 170 and thereby attaches end member 196 to base 162. In the illustrated embodiment, end members 182, 196, are molded from rubber having a durometer of approximately 80. Although left-handed comer pocket and side pocket end members are illustrated, it will be appreciated that right-handed comer pocket and side pocket members will be mirror images of the left-handed members. Furthermore, the end members may be configured to the openings of the particular table to which apparatus 10 is applied, such as a snooker table. For carom tables, the rail end members at the table comers should be formed to 45 degrees to make square comers. Upper and lower extrusion 36, 38, 218, 220 have formed therein dovetailed horizontal slots 86 for the mounting of trim panels. This allows table 11 to bear any desirable decor, including that providing an exceptionally traditional appearance. Although the construction of table 11 will significantly reduce the noise from balls traversing the ball return network and operation of the dispensing mechanism, and the like, the sound-deadening features of the table may be further enhanced by optionally filling cavities 88, formed within extrusions 36, 38, 218, 220 with in situ formed foam insulation 89 of the same type utilized in the manufacture of refrigerator and freezer cabinets. Although extrusions 36, 38, 218, and 220 are aluminum in the illustrated embodiment, other extrudable materials, such as PVC, may be used.

Each support column 22 includes a height-adjusting mechanism 90 for leveling table 11 (Fig. 3). In contrast to conventional screw-jacks, which are operated by rotation of foot 92, height-adjusting mechanism 90 is operated, through a motion-transmitting device 98, from an actuator 94 attached to a support 93 and positioned directly below a pocket 24. Actuator 94 may be accessed by a wrench 100 extending through pocket 24, and an opening in ball return 96, in order to adjust actuator 94. In the illustrated embodiment, motion-transmitting device 98 is a rotary motion-transmission such as a ball-socket straight drive alien wrench or a cable, of the type that is well known in the art. In order to level table 11, the technician places a level vial (not shown) in a central location on playing surface 12. The operator then inserts a wrench 100 through ball pocket 24 and rotates actuator 94 while observing the vial. Because each support column 22 includes such a leveling device, the technician need only move from comer pocket to comer pocket in order to level the table. However, the operator does not need to stoop near the floor in order to adjust the height of each leg. If the table does not include pockets, actuator 94 could be positioned where it is accessible through an opening in side wall 18 or rail 16.

Table 11 further includes an internal bed lifting, or elevating, mechanism, generally illustrated at 102 (Fig. 4). Elevating mechanism 102 includes four jack- posts 104a-104d between base 44 and bed 54, and fastened to both at opposite ends of the jack-posts. Elevating mechanism 102 further includes a transmission device 106, which is joumaled through the table shell in order to provide a means for transmitting a mechanical rotation from a head 108 external to table 11 to a sheave 110 internal to the table. In the illustrated embodiment, transmission device 106 penetrates base 44 but could also be mounted to penetrate a side wall 18. Sheave 110 is interconnected with input sheaves 112a-112d of the jack-posts 104a-104d by an endless transmission device 114. In this manner, the rotation of head 108 from underneath table 11, as by hand or by a manual or battery powered wrench, or the like, rotates sheave 110, which motion is transferred to sheaves 112a- 112d through endless transmission device 114. The rotation of sheaves 112a-112d extend each jack-post 104a-104d in unison, which elevates bed 54 in a horizontal orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, transmission device 114 is a metallic ball-chain made up of 1/4 inch balls and 1/16 inch links to provide a .324 pitch, although other flexible devices, such as cogged belts and the like, may be used. Although mechanical jack-posts and linkage devices are illustrated, other bed-lifting mechanisms, such as hydraulic jacks, could also be used.

Elevating mechanism 102 is useful in servicing table 11, in general, and in replacing cloth cover 56, in particular. In order to replace cloth cover 56, cushions 14 are removed by rotation of fasteners 80 and a wrench (not shown) is placed on head 108. Operation of the wrench causes jack-posts 104a-104d to extend, which elevates bed 54. Jack-posts 104a-104d are capable of elevating bed 54 sufficiently above rail 16 whereby the technician may insert two or more two- by-four braces (not shown), or the like, between the rails and the bed for safety purposes. The operator may then rapidly replace the cloth cover 56 and reverse the process in order to reseat bed 54. It should be noted that the precision interface between land 64 and bed 54 eliminates the necessity for custom shimming of the bed following replacement of the cloth cover. The cushions 14 are refurbished by removing cord members 76a, 76b, replacing cloth cover 78 and reinserting the cord members, and refastening the cushions to rail 16. As set forth above, the drawing of the cushion base member 70 against vertical wall 50 will produce a downward force on cushions 14 tending to lock bed 54 against land 64.

Table 11 includes a ball return network 96 made up of a web of troughs that slope from each ball pocket 24 toward a common point 120 (Fig. 5). Balls then pass over a separator 122, which separates and diverts cue balls down a cue ball return 124 toward a cue ball discharge 126. The numbered balls, which are not diverted down path 124, continue in the direction of a trough 128, which discharges into ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 at an end of table 11 opposite from cue ball discharge 126. Separator 122 may function on the basis of the size, weight, or magnetic properties of the balls, or a combination of these, in order to distinguish cue balls from the numbered balls. By way of example, one such separator is disclosed in United States Patent 4,155,549.

Balls received in ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 from trough 128 are positioned behind window 34 and supported by a pair of closely spaced parallel edges 129 (Fig. 6). The first support edge is a stationary support edge 130 and the second is defined on dispensing gate 132. When gate 132 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 6, which is a non-dispensing position, the balls 134 line up behind window 34 where they may be observed by the user. Because balls 134 are partially supported by a stationary support 130, the weight supported by gate 132 is less than the full weight of the balls. Furthermore, because the balls are supported only partially above the gate, gate 132 may be shorter in length, traverse the pivot axis. Both features allow gate 132 to resist deflection under the weight of balls 134 while reducing the mass of the gate. When dispensing gate 132 is rotated to the dispensing position illustrated in Fig. 7, balls 134 drop along a baffle 136 into vault 32 where the balls may be accessed by a user. The purpose of baffle 136 is to make it difficult for a user to insert his or her arm, or another object, through vault 32 into contact with dispensing gate 132. This reduces the ability to tamper with the ball dispenser. When the dispensing gate 132 is in the dispensing position illustrated in Fig. 7, an inhibiting device 138 moves up into an opening 140 in trough 128. The purpose of device 138 is to prevent balls from entering the ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26 while the dispensing gate is in the dispensing position. This prevents the user from actuating the gate to a dispensing position, and propping the coin acceptor 28 into a full stroke position, to thereby circulate balls through the ball receiving and dispensing assembly without the necessity of paying additional usage fees.

Dispensing gate 132 is pivotally mounted by an elongated shaft 142, which is rotated by a dispensing mechanism 30 (Figs. 6-8). Dispensing mechanism 30 is operatively engaged by a dispensing arm 143 of coin acceptor 28 to rotate shaft 142 and, thereby, gate 132 from a non-dispensing position, illustrated in Fig. 6, to a dispensing position, illustrated in Fig. 7. Dispensing mechanism 30 includes a first gear 144 fixedly attached to shaft 140, whereby rotation of gear 144 rotates shaft 140 and, thereby, gate 132. Gear 144 is engaged at all times with a second gear 146, which is larger in diameter than gear 144 and, thereby, provides a motion amplification and motion reversal. Gear 146 is mounted by a hub 148, which contains an internal torsion spring (not shown) which is torqued as a result of movement of gate 132 to a dispensing position. The coil spring in hub 148, in rum, returns gate 132 to a non-dispensing position when arm 143 is released. Gear 146 is rotated through a lost-motion coupling 150 by a reciprocating shaft 152 moving in a guide 154. Shaft 152 is extended by a plate 156, which is engaged by the end of arm 143. A pin 158 mounted to shaft 152 engages the teeth of gear 146 when shaft 152 is in a retracted position, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8.

In operation, the user places the proper coins in coin acceptor 28 and pushes forward on the slide. This causes arm 143 to engage plate 156 during the initial stroke of arm 143. Upon engaging plate 156, pin 158 is withdrawn from engagement with the teeth of gears 146. This unlocks gate 132, which allows the gate to pivot downwardly. However, gate 132 does not pivot downwardly until further motion of arm 143 extends shaft 152 to the point where all lost motion is removed from coupling 150, which then causes gear 146 to rotate. This rotates gear 144, rotating the gate 132 to a dispensed position, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The rotation of gear 146 stores energy in the spring in hub 148, which returns gate 132 to the non-dispensing position, illustrated in Fig. 6, when dispensing arm 143 is retracted. Thus, dispensing mechanism 30 locks gate 132, through pin 158 engaging the teeth of gear 146, whenever coin acceptor 28 is not operating with the proper coinage. This, along with baffle 136 being positioned between the dispensing mechanism and ball vault, resists the tampering with the dispensing mechanism even though the ball vault is directly below the ball dispensing device. During periods when coin acceptor 28 is engaging dispensing mechanism 30 in order to move gate 132 to a dispensing position, inhibiting device 138 is imposed in trough 128 to prevent the continual recirculation of balls 134 through the ball receiving and dispensing assembly 26.

Thus, it is seen that the ball receiving and dispensing assembly disclosed herein performs the tasks at the narrow end of the table which are traditionally performed partially at a location on the long side of the table and partially at a location on the narrow end of the table. Because the balls are racked at the narrow end of the table, the apparatus disclosed herein provides an efficiency of movement on the part of the user. Furthermore, the balls are received at a first level from the ball return network and are merely dropped an additional level into the ball vault. In this manner, the vertical height required to perform the ball return and dispensing function is significantly reduced from prior art devices. The ball return and dispensing function necessary for a coin-operated pool table may be accommodated in a low-profile table design so that the same low-profile design may be utilized in both the non-coin-operated version, useful in domestic and pool hall versions, and the coin-operated version, useful in barrooms, restaurants, and the like.

Thus, it is seen that the present invention comprehends a low-profile game table that is made of synthetic non-naturally occurring materials and may be applied to any of the eight combinations useful in a cushioned table game: namely, a pool (pocket billiard or snooker billiard) table or a carom billiard table, either of which may be in an indoor or an outdoor environment and either of which may be coin-operated or non-coin-operated. Furthermore, the invention comprehends a method of servicing billiard tables that allows such servicing to be performed quickly and effortlessly, utilizing only an individual technician at the site. This opens the distribution and service of billiard tables to installation and servicing by game and vending machine operators, who typically utilize a single technician for service calls. By moving the distribution and support of billiard tables from that of the traditional pool table supply house, the cost and availability of billiard tables may be extended to reach a significantly larger market.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

Cl aims ~19~The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table, for use in one of an indoor environment and an outdoor environment, and for use as one of a coin-operated apparatus and a non-coin-operated apparatus, comprising a table having a low profile in elevation and substantially made of synthetic, non-naturally occurring materials.

2. The table game apparatus in claim 1 including a playing surface surrounded by cushions and defined by a bed supported on said table and made of a non-naturally occurring material.

3. The table game apparatus in claim 2 wherein said bed is made of glass.

4. The table game apparatus in claim 3 wherein said glass is tempered.

5. The table game apparatus in claim 1 wherein said table has perimeter sides made of a non-naturally occurring material.

6. The table game apparatus in claim 5 wherein said sides are made of extruded metal.

7. The table game apparatus in claim 6 wherein said sides are joined at cast metal comer members.

8. The table game apparatus in claim 6 wherein said sides are each made of two extrusions joined together.

9. The table game apparatus in claim 1 wherein said table has a base made of a non-naturally occurring material.

10. The table game apparatus in claim 9 wherein said base is made of reinforced fiberglass or metal.

11. The table game apparatus in claim 1 wherein said table includes a generally planar horizontal base made of a non-hydrophilic material supporting perimeter sides made of a non-hydrophilic material.

12. The table game apparatus of claim 11 including a playing surface surrounded by cushions and defined by a bed supported by said perimeter sides and made of a non-hydrophilic material.

13. The table game apparatus in claim 12 wherein said base is made of reinforced fiberglass or metal, said sides are made of cast metal and said bed is made of glass.

14. The table game apparatus in claim 1 including a plurality of ball receiving pockets, a ball-return network for returning all balls of a given type from said pockets to a narrow end of the table and a coin-operated ball dispenser at said narrow end of the table for receiving said balls of a given type and for dispensing balls to a ball vault for access by a user.

15. The table game apparatus in claim 14 wherein said ball dispenser is directly superjacent said vault.

16. The table game apparatus in claim 15 including a mechanical lock for said ball dispenser to resist said ball dispenser dispensing balls by manipulation through said vault.

17. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table, comprising: a table; and a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface, said bed made from a sheet of non-naturally occurring material that has a hardness at least as great as that of slate.

18. The table game apparatus in claim 17 wherein said bed is made of glass.

19. The table game apparatus in claim 18 wherein said glass is tempered.

20. The table game apparatus in claim 17 including a lifting mechanism in said table that is configured to lift said bed vertically upward in order to service the bed.

21. The table game apparatus in claim 20 including a plurality of legs to support said table and leveling mechanisms in each of said legs, wherein each leg- leveling mechanism includes a motion-transmitting device accessible through openings in said bed in order to adjust each leg-leveling mechanism from above said table.

22. The table game apparatus in claim 17 including a plurality of legs to support said table and leveling mechanisms in each of said legs, wherein each leg- leveling mechanism includes a motion-transmitting device accessible through openings in said bed in order to adjust each leg-leveling mechanism from above said table.

23. A table game apparatus played with balls and adapted for use as one of a pool table and a billiard table, comprising: a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; and a plurality of legs to support said table and leveling mechanisms in each of said legs, wherein each leg-leveling mechanism includes a motion-transmitting device accessible through openings in said bed in order to adjust each leg-leveling mechanism from above said table.

24. The table game apparatus in claim 23 including a lifting mechanism in said table that is configured to lift said bed vertically upward in order to service the bed.

25. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table, comprising: a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion surrounding said bed; and a lifting mechanism in said table that is configured to lift said bed vertically above said rail in order to service the bed.

26. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table, comprising: a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; said table includes a plurality of perimeter members supporting said bed, said perimeter members are extrusions; and a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion substantially surrounding said playing surface.

27. The table game apparatus in claim 26 wherein each of said perimeter members includes at least two extrusions that are joined together.

28. The table game apparatus in claim 26 including at least one camming surface defined between said ball cushion and said rail, said camming surface configured to exert a downward force on said ball cushion in order to lock said bed to said table.

29. The table game apparatus in claim 28 wherein each of said ball cushion members include a base made of an extrusion.

30. The table game apparatus in claim 26 including a rigid planar base member supporting said perimeter members.

31. The table game apparatus in claim 30 wherein said perimeter members rest on said rigid planar base member.

32. The table game apparatus in claim 30 wherein said base member is made from reinforced fiberglass or metal.

33. The table game apparatus in claim 26 including cast metal comer members joining said perimeter members.

34. The table game apparatus in claim 26 including flanges formed in an outward facing surface of said perimeter members in order to mount decorative panels.

35. The table game apparatus in claim 26 wherein said perimeter members include upward facing bed supporting surfaces and a recess outwardly thereof in order to allow space for a bed cover cloth.

36. The table game apparatus in claim 26 wherein said perimeter members include cavities that are filled with in situ reacted foam insulation.

37. A coin-operated pool table, comprising: a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion surrounding said playing surface and a plurality of ball receiving pockets defined in said cushion; a ball-return network for returning balls of a given type from said pockets to a narrow end of the table; and a coin-operated ball dispenser built into said table at said narrow end of the table subjacent said bed for receiving said balls of a given type and for dispensing balls to a ball vault accessible to a user.

38. The pool table in claim 37 including a viewing window at said narrow end of the table adjacent said ball dispenser for allowing a user to view balls in said ball dispenser.

39. The pool table in claim 37 wherein said ball dispenser is directly superjacent said vault.

40. The pool table in claim 37 wherein said ball dispenser includes a dispensing gate and an actuator for said gate that is responsive to a stroke of a coin acceptor to move said gate to a dispensing position, wherein said actuator includes a lock that mechanically secures said gate, said lock being unlocked during an initial portion of said stroke.

41. The pool table in claim 40 wherein said dispensing gate is supported by a shaft in order to pivot said gate to dispense balls to said vault and said actuator includes a mechanism that pivots said gate during a terminal portion of said stroke.

42. The pool table in claim 41 wherein said mechanism includes a spring that stores energy during said stroke of a coin acceptor and releases said energy in order to pivot said gate to a non-dispensing position subsequent to said stroke.

43. The pool table in claim 41 wherein said mechanism includes a lost-motion linkage.

44. The pool table in claim 37 wherein said ball dispenser includes a ball support defined by a stationary support edge and a moveable dispensing gate, whereby said dispensing gate supports only a portion of the weight of the balls in the ball dispenser.

45. The pool table in claim 44 wherein said dispensing gate is supported by a shaft in order to pivot to dispense balls to said vault.

46. The pool table in claim 45 including an actuator for said gate that is responsive to a stroke of a coin acceptor to pivot said gate to a dispensing position, wherein said actuator includes a lock that mechanically secures said gate, said lock being unlocked during an initial portion of said stroke.

47. The pool table in claim 46 wherein said actuator includes a mechanism that pivots said gate during a terminal portion of said stroke.

48. The pool table in claim 47 wherein said mechanism includes a spring that stores energy during said stroke of a coin acceptor and releases said energy in order to pivot said gate to a non-dispensing position subsequent to a stroke of a coin acceptor.

49. The pool table in claim 47 wherein said mechanism includes a lost-motion linkage.

50. A coin-operated pool table, comprising: a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; a rail above said bed defining a ball cushion surrounding said playing surface and a plurality of ball receiving pockets defined in said cushion; and a coin-operated ball dispenser built into said table subjacent said bed for receiving said balls of a given type from said pockets and for dispensing balls to a ball vault accessible to a user, wherein said ball dispenser includes a dispensing gate and an actuator for said gate that is responsive to a stroke of a coin acceptor to move said gate to a dispensing position, wherein said actuator includes a lock that mechanically secures said gate, a release that releases said lock in response to an initial portion of a stroke of said coin acceptor and a mechanism that moves said gate to said dispensing position during a terminal portion of said stroke of said coin acceptor.

51. The pool table in claim 50 wherein said ball dispenser includes a ball support defined by a stationary support edge and a moveable dispensing gate, whereby said dispensing gate supports only a portion of the weight of the balls in the ball dispenser.

52. The table game apparatus in claim 51 wherein said dispensing gate is supported by a shaft in order to pivot said gate to dispense balls to said vault.

53. The pool table in claim 50 wherein said mechanism includes a spring that stores energy during said stroke of a coin acceptor and releases said energy in order to pivot said gate to a non-dispensing position subsequent to a stroke of a coin acceptor.

54. A method of servicing pocket, snooker, and carom billiard tables having a table, a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface, and a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion surrounding said bed, including: providing a lifting mechanism in said table and operable to elevate said bed; operating said lifting mechanism in order to elevate said bed above said rail; and servicing said bed.

55. The method of claim 54 including inserting a safety support between said rail and said elevated bed before servicing the bed.

56. The method of claim 54 wherein said bed is covered by a fabric cover and wherein said servicing said bed includes affixing a new fabric cover to said bed using either hooked fasteners, barbed fasteners or contact adhesive.

57. The method of claim 54 wherein said providing a lifting mechanism includes providing a plurality of rotary jack posts and interconnecting said rotary jack posts by an endless member.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said operating said lifting mechanism includes driving said endless member with a hand tool.

59. The method of claim 54 including maintaining said bed level during said operating said lifting mechanism.

60. A method of servicing pocket, snooker, and carom billiard tables having a table, a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface, and a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion surrounding said bed, including: providing height adjusting mechanisms at spaced apart portions of said table that are operable to adjust the heights of said portions of said table; providing actuators for said height adjusting mechanisms that are accessible adjacent said bed; and engaging said actuators to operate said height adjusting mechanisms while observing a level gauge on said table.

61. The method in claim 60 including positioning said height adjusting mechanisms in table support columns.

62. The method in claim 60 including positioning said actuators beneath openings in said bed and engaging said actuators through said openings.

63. The method in claim 60 wherein said engaging said actuators is performed with a hand tool.

64. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table comprising; a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion substantially surrounding said playing surface, wherein said cushion includes an extruded base, a resilient nose affixed to said base, and a fabric cover extending over said nose and affixed to said base; and a plurality of fasteners extending through said rail and engaging said base in order to removably attach said cushion to said rail.

65. The table game apparatus in claim 64 including means defining a plurality of ball receiving pockets in said cushion, said means including a separate end member attached to said base on each side of each of said pockets.

66. The table game apparatus in claim 65 wherein said end member is molded.

67. The table game apparatus in claim 66 wherein said material has a durometer of approximately 80.

68. The table game apparatus in claim 65 wherein said end member includes a body defining a plurality of ball contacting surfaces and an extension of said body, said extension engaging a recess in said base in order to attach said end member to said base.

69. The table game apparatus in claim 64 including means for attaching said cover to said base.

70. The table game apparatus in claim 69 wherein said means includes a surface member affixed to said base and having a texture that is capable of capturing pointed fasteners.

71. The table game apparatus in claim 70 wherein said surface member is an insert in said base.

72. The table game apparatus in claim 71 wherein said base includes inwardly extended portions each including double protrusions in order to retain said insert in said base.

73. The table game apparatus in claim 70 wherein said surface member has a durometer that is selected from the range of between approximately 95 and approximately 100.

74. The table game apparatus in claim 70 wherein said means further includes at least one recess defined in said base in order to receive a cord compressed in said recess for retaining a portion of said cover in said recess.

75. The table game apparatus in claim 64 wherein said base is extruded from one of aluminum and PVC.

76. The table game apparatus in claim 64 including a biasing member to bias each of said fasteners away from said cushion in order to provide clearance between said fasteners and said bed when said cushion is removed.

77. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table comprising; a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion substantially surrounding said playing surface, wherein said cushion includes an base, a resilient nose affixed to said base, means defining a plurality of ball receiving pockets in said cushion and a fabric cover extending over said nose and affixed to said base; and said means including a separate end member attached to said base on each side of each of said pockets.

78. The table game apparatus in claim 77 wherein said end member is molded from a resinous plastic material.

79. The table game apparatus in claim 78 wherein said material has a durometer of approximately 80.

80. The table game apparatus in claim 77 wherein said end member includes a body defining a plurality of ball contacting surfaces and an extension of said body, said extension engaging a recess in said base in order to attach said end member to said base.

81. The table game apparatus in claim 77 wherein said cover extends over said end member.

82. A table game apparatus played with balls for use as one of a pocket, snooker, and carom billiard table comprising; a table; a bed supported by said table and defining a horizontal playing surface; a rail above said bed supporting a ball cushion substantially surrounding said playing surface, wherein said cushion includes an extruded base, a resilient nose affixed to said base, and a fabric cover extending over said nose and affixed to said base; and means for attaching said cover to said base.

83. The table game apparatus in claim 82 wherein said means includes at least one recess defined in said base in order to receive a cord compressed in said recess for retaining a portion of said cover in said recess.

84. The table game apparatus in claim 83 wherein said means further includes a surface member affixed to said base and having a texture that is capable of capturing pointed fasteners.

85. The table game apparatus in claim 84 wherein said surface member is an insert in said base.

86. The table game apparatus in claim 85 wherein said base includes inwardly extended portions each including double protrusions in order to retain said insert in said base.

87. The table game apparatus in claim 84 wherein said surface member has a durometer that is selected from the range of between approximately 95 and approximately 100.

88. The table game apparatus in claim 82 wherein said means includes a surface member affixed to said base and having a texture that is capable of capturing pointed fasteners.

89. The table game apparatus in claim 88 wherein said surface member is an insert in said base.

90. The table game apparatus in claim 89 wherein said base includes inwardly extended portions each including double protmsions in order to retain said insert in said base.

91. The table game apparatus in claim 88 wherein said surface member has a durometer that is selected from the range of between approximately 95 and approximately 100.

92. The table game apparatus in claim 82 wherein said base is extruded from one of aluminum and PVC.

93. The table game apparatus in claim 8 wherein said two extrusions are joined by a dovetail interface.

94. The table game apparatus in claim 27 wherein said two extrusions are joined by a dovetail interface.

95. The table game apparatus in claim 28 wherein said fasteners are captured in said perimeter members and biased away from said bed.

96. The table game apparatus in claim 2 wherein said bed is covered with a cloth made up of a blend of synthetic fiber and wool in a ratio of between approximately 30:70 and 50:50.

97. The table game apparatus in claim 17 wherein said bed is covered with a cloth made up of a blend of synthetic fiber and wool in a ratio of between approximately 30:70 and 50:50.

98. The table game apparatus in claim 26 wherein said extrusion is made from extruded metal or plastic.

99. The table game apparatus in claim 98 wherein said extrusion is made from extruded aluminum.