Table game starter and method

Abstract

A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece where a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal. The game table includes a playing surface, a first endwall and a second endwall. The gamepiece is movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces and the first endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and includes the first goal. The second endwall extends generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and is located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall. A first starting mechanism is in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel that moves the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal. The first starting mechanism moves the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by the first player.

1 . A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece wherein a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal, the game table comprising:
 a playing surface, the gamepiece being movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces;   a first endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface, the first endwall including the first goal;   a second endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall; and   a first starting mechanism in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel, the gamepiece channel moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal, the first starting mechanism moving the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by the first player.   
   
   
       2 . The game table of  claim 1  wherein the gamepiece channel includes a first goal ramp, a first goal pipe and a first starter pipe, the first goal ramp, first goal pipe and first starter pipe connected to each other and sloped from the first goal toward the first starting mechanism. 
   
   
       3 . The game table of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first sidewall extending between the first and second endwalls, the first starting mechanism being mounted to the first sidewall; and   a second sidewall extending between the first and second endwalls.   
   
   
       4 . The game table of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a first starter chute extending between the first starting mechanism and a first outlet, the first outlet being located along the second sidewall; and   a midfield boundary extending on the playing surface between the first and second sidewalls, the playing field having a field length, the midfield boundary being located generally at a middle of the field length.   
   
   
       5 . The game table of  claim 3  wherein the first starting mechanism includes a mounting plate, a starter shaft, a handle mounted to a first end of the starter shaft, a bumper mounted to a second end of the starter shaft and a spring mounted between the starter shaft and the mounting plate. 
   
   
       6 . The game table of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a plurality of first rods mounted to the first and second sidewalls and extending across the playing surface, the plurality of first rods each having first rod handles positioned proximate the first sidewall, the plurality of first rods including at least a first defender rod positioned proximate the first goal and a first offensive rod positioned proximate a second goal located in the second endwall, the first starting mechanism positioned proximate the first rod handle of the first defender rod, the gamepiece being comprised of a foosball.   
   
   
       7 . The game table of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first starter chute extending between the first starting mechanism and a first outlet at a second sidewall, the first starter chute including a linear portion and an arcuate portion, the linear portion secured to the first starting mechanism and the arcuate portion secured to the first outlet, the arcuate portion and the first outlet directing the gamepiece onto the playing surface generally parallel to a midfield boundary.   
   
   
       8 . The game table of  claim 1  further comprising:
 first and second sidewalls extending between the first and second endwalls;   a second goal located in the second sidewall;   a second starting mechanism in communication with the second goal, the second starting mechanism moving the gamepiece to the playing surface upon actuation by a second player, the second starting mechanism mounted to the second sidewall.   
   
   
       9 . The game table of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a midfield boundary extending between the first and second sidewalls approximately midway between the first and second endwalls;   a first outlet located in the second sidewall; and   a second outlet located in the first sidewall, the first and second outlets facing each other along a line of sight generally parallel to the midfield boundary.   
   
   
       10 . A game table for playing a game with a gamepiece wherein a first player defends a first goal to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal, the game table comprising:
 a playing surface, the gamepiece being movable along the playing surface through the application of gaming forces;   a first endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface, the first endwall including the first goal;   a second endwall extending generally perpendicularly from the playing surface and located at an opposite side of the playing surface from the first endwall, a midfield boundary located on the playing surface generally midway between the first and second endwalls; and   a first starting mechanism in communication with the first goal through a gamepiece channel, the gamepiece channel moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism when the gamepiece enters the first goal, the first starting mechanism moving the gamepiece to the playing surface along a starting chute upon actuation by the first player, the starting chute having an outlet proximate the midfield boundary.   
   
   
       11 . A method of starting a game between first and second players on a game table having a playing surface, first and second endwalls, first and second sidewalls, a first goal in the first endwall, a midfield boundary extending between the first and second sidewalls and being located generally midway between the first and second endwalls, a gamepiece, a first starting mechanism mounted to the first sidewall, a gamepiece channel for moving the gamepiece from the first goal to the first starting mechanism, a first starter chute and a first outlet in communication with the first starting mechanism through the first starter chute, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) positioning the gamepiece on the playing surface, the second player directing the gamepiece toward the first goal and the first player attempting to block the gamepiece from entering the first goal;   b) directing the gamepiece into the first goal;   c) urging the gamepiece to the first starting mechanism under the force of gravity from the first goal along the gamepiece channel; and   d) actuating the first starting mechanism such that the gamepiece is propelled onto the game table moving in a direction generally parallel to the midfield boundary, the first player actuating the first starting mechanism.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first player operates a first defender rod having a first rod handle proximate the first sidewall during gameplay, the first player being provided with sufficient time to grasp the first rod handle during step (d) between actuating the first starting mechanism and the gamepiece contacting the playing surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein in step (d) the first player grasps and urges a handle of the first starting mechanism away from the first sidewall and releases the handle. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein in step (d) the gamepiece is driven along the gamepiece channel from a position proximate the first sidewall toward the second sidewall along a linear portion of the gamepiece channel, along an arcuate portion of the gamepiece and out of a first outlet in the second sidewall toward the first sidewall. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the gamepiece is driven along the gamepiece channel through a spring force generated by a spring associated with the first starting mechanism. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein in step (c) the gamepiece channel includes a first goal ramp, a first goal pipe and a first starter pipe that are sloped toward the first starting mechanism and the gamepiece is a foosball, the foosball rolling along the first goal ramp, the first goal pipe and the first starter pipe under the force of gravity.