Tabletop game with reflective or light transmitting surface

Abstract

The present invention provides a game having means of illuminating the playing surface to illuminate a design thereon. The means of illumination includes a reflective layer on the playing surface or a top electro-luminescent light sheet.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A tabletop game, comprising: 
 a playing surface;    a sidewall surrounding at least a portion of the playing surface;    the playing surface comprising a base and a light reflective surface coupled to the base;    the light reflective surface comprising a design; and    an upper light source arranged above the light reflective surface, such that light from the light source illuminates the design in the light reflective surface.    
     
     
         2 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the design comprises placing non-reflective material.  
     
     
         3 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the design simulates at least one of a hockey rink, a basketball court, a football field, and a soccer field.  
     
     
         4 . The game according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a lower light source arranged beneath the playing surface,    wherein the playing surface further comprises at least one light transmissive portion, such that 
 light from the upper light source is reflected by the reflective surface and light from the lower light source is viewed through the light transmissive portion.  
   
     
     
         5 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface has at least one portion with a first reflectivity and at least one portion with a second reflectivity and the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity are different.  
     
     
         6 . The game according to  claim 5 , wherein the reflective surface is noncontiguous.  
     
     
         7 . The game according to  claim 6 , wherein the playing surface further comprises at least one light transmissive portion.  
     
     
         8 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the light reflective surface reflects light over a majority of the playing surface.  
     
     
         9 . A tabletop game, comprising: 
 a playing surface;    a sidewall at least partially surrounding the playing surface; and    the playing surface having an electro-luminescent light sheet coupled to at least one portion of a top of the playing surface; and    the electro-luminescent light sheet illuminates the playing surface to facilitate play of the tabletop game.    
     
     
         10 . The game according to  claim 9 , wherein the electro-luminescent light sheet incorporates a design.  
     
     
         11 . The game according to  claim 10 , wherein the design accentuates regulation marking of at least one of a hockey rink, a basketball court, a football field, and a soccer field.  
     
     
         12 . The game according to  claim 9 , wherein the electro-luminescent light sheet includes at least one opaque portion.  
     
     
         13 . The game according to  claim 9 , wherein the electro-luminescent light sheet includes at least one translucent portion.  
     
     
         14 . The game according to  claim 10 , wherein the electro-luminescent light sheet further includes at least one opaque portion.  
     
     
         15 . The game according to  claim 9 , wherein the electro-luminescent light sheet includes at least one colored portion.  
     
     
         16 . The game according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one colored portion is a plurality of colored portions.  
     
     
         17 . The game according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of colored portions comprise a plurality of colors.  
     
     
         18 . A tabletop game, comprising: 
 a playing surface;    means for illuminating the playing surface; and    a design in the playing surface, wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface illuminates the design.    
     
     
         19 . The tabletop game according to  claim 18 , wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface includes an electro luminescent light sheet.  
     
     
         20 . The tabletop game according to  claim 18 , wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface includes a reflective layer.  
     
     
         21 . The tabletop game according to  claim 18 , wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface includes a lower light source beneath the playing surface and a portion of the playing surface is light transmissive.  
     
     
         22 . The tabletop game according to  claim 18 , wherein the means for illuminating the playing surface includes at least one of a reflective surface and a upper light source, a light transmissive surface and a lower light source, and an electro-luminescent light sheet surface.