Modular table tennis game

Abstract

A modular table tennis game includes a plurality of paddles, a table tennis ball, and an adjustable table, or multiple adjustable tables. The table(s) may be mounted on a support system such as a tripod or other support structure that allows the table(s) to be adjusted in height and tilt. The top of the table(s) may have an opening or openings larger than the table tennis ball penetrating therethrough.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) a plurality of table modules, each including:
 (i) a top member having a playing surface, and 
 (ii) a support system, on which the top member is mounted, providing an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         3 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 2 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         4 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 3 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         5 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 2 , wherein every one of the plurality of table modules is separated from all other table modules by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         6 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 2 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         7 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 6 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         8 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 6 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 2 , wherein the support system includes a plurality of legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         10 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 9 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         11 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of legs includes exactly three legs. 
     
     
         12 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 9 , wherein the top member is adapted to be tilted by adjusting the length of a first of the plurality of legs to be different than the length of a second of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         13 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 2 , wherein the top member of at least one table module has a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         14 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 2 , wherein the playing surface of each top member has an opening, penetrating therethrough, with a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball. 
     
     
         15 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) a plurality of table modules, each including a top member having a playing surface with an opening, having a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball, penetrating therethrough.   
     
     
         16 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         17 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is covered by a basket supported and extending beneath the top member. 
     
     
         18 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 17 , wherein the opening is circular. 
     
     
         19 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 16 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         20 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 19 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         21 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 16 , wherein every one of the plurality of table modules is separated from all other table modules by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         22 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 16 , wherein the support system provides an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
     
     
         23 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 22 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         24 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 23 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         25 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 23 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         26 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 22 , wherein the support system includes a plurality of legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         27 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 26 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         28 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of legs includes exactly three legs. 
     
     
         29 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 26 , wherein the top member is adapted to be tilted by adjusting the length of a first of the plurality of legs to be different than the length of a second of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         30 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 16 , wherein the top member of at least one table module has a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         31 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) a plurality of table modules, each including:
 (i) a top member having a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal, and 
 (ii) a support system on which the top member is mounted. 
   
     
     
         32 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 31 , wherein each of the plurality of table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         33 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein the top member of a first of the plurality of table modules is tilted at a first angle relative to horizontal, and the top member of a second of the plurality of table modules is tilted at a second angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         34 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein the top member of a first of the plurality of table modules is tilted toward a second of the plurality of table modules. 
     
     
         35 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein the top member of a first of the plurality of table modules is tilted away from a second of the plurality of table modules. 
     
     
         36 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         37 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 36 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         38 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein every one of the plurality of table modules is separated from all other table modules by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         39 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein the support system provides an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
     
     
         40 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 39 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         41 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 40 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         42 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 40 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         43 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 39 , wherein the support system includes a plurality of legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         44 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 43 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         45 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 43 , wherein the plurality of legs includes exactly three legs. 
     
     
         46 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 43 , wherein the length of a first of the plurality of legs is different than the length of a second of the plurality of legs, thereby causing the top member to be tilted. 
     
     
         47 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 32 , wherein the playing surface of each top member has an opening, penetrating therethrough, with a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball. 
     
     
         48 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) a plurality of table modules, each including:
 (i) a top member having a playing surface, 
 (ii) at least one support leg adapted to provide freestanding support for the top member, and 
 (iii) an adjustable mounting assembly, having a first part and a second part, connecting the top member to the at least one support leg, the second part being coupled to the first part such that the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
   
     
     
         49 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 48 , wherein each of the plurality of table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         50 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 49 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         51 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 50 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         52 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 49 , wherein every one of the plurality of table modules is separated from all other table modules by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         53 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 49 , wherein the support system provides an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
     
     
         54 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 53 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         55 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 54 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         56 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 54 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         57 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 53 , wherein the support system includes a plurality of legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         58 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 57 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         59 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 57 , wherein the plurality of legs includes exactly three legs. 
     
     
         60 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 57 , wherein the top member is adapted to be tilted by adjusting the length of a first of the plurality of legs to be different than the length of a second of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         61 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 49 , wherein the top member of at least one table module has a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         62 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 49 , wherein the playing surface of each top member has an opening, penetrating therethrough, with a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball. 
     
     
         63 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) at least three table modules, each including:
 (i) a top member having a playing surface, and 
 (ii) a support system, on which the top member is mounted. 
   
     
     
         64 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 63 , wherein each of the table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         65 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         66 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 65 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         67 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein all three of the table modules are separated from each other by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         68 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein the table modules are arranged in a circle. 
     
     
         69 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein at least one table modular is oriented vertically. 
     
     
         70 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein the support system provides an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
     
     
         71 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 70 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         72 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 71 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         73 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 71 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         74 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 70 , wherein the support system includes a plurality of legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         75 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 74 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         76 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 74 , wherein the plurality of legs includes exactly three legs. 
     
     
         77 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 74 , wherein the top member is adapted to be tilted by adjusting the length of a first of the plurality of legs to be different than the length of a second of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         78 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein the top member of at least one table module has a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         79 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 64 , wherein the playing surface of each top member has an opening, penetrating therethrough, with a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball. 
     
     
         80 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) a plurality of table modules, each including:
 (i) a top member having a playing surface that is substantially wedge-shaped, and 
 (ii) a support system, on which the top member is mounted. 
   
     
     
         81 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 80 , wherein each of the plurality of table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         82 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 81 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         83 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 82 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         84 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 81 , wherein every one of the plurality of table modules is separated from all other table modules by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         85 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 81 , wherein the support system provides an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
     
     
         86 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 85 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         87 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 86 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         88 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 86 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         89 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 85 , wherein the support system includes a plurality of legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         90 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 89 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         91 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 89 , wherein the plurality of legs includes exactly three legs. 
     
     
         92 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 89 , wherein the top member is adapted to be tilted by adjusting the length of a first of the plurality of legs to be different than the length of a second of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         93 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 81 , wherein the top member of at least one table module has a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         94 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 81 , wherein the playing surface of each top member has an opening, penetrating therethrough, with a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball. 
     
     
         95 . A modular table tennis game set, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of paddles;   (b) a table tennis ball; and   (c) a plurality of table modules, each including:
 (i) a top member having a playing surface, and 
 (ii) exactly three legs supporting the top member. 
   
     
     
         96 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 95 , wherein each of the plurality of table modules is separated from at least one other table module by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         97 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 96 , wherein the distance is at least as great as a substantial fraction of the length or width of the top member. 
     
     
         98 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 97 , wherein the distance is at least 2.25 feet. 
     
     
         99 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 96 , wherein every one of the plurality of table modules is separated from all other table modules by a substantial distance. 
     
     
         100 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 96 , wherein the support system provides an adjustable height for at least a portion of the top member. 
     
     
         101 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 100 , wherein the support system includes an adjustable-height tripod. 
     
     
         102 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 101 , wherein the tripod is mounted to the top member at a location substantially adjacent the center of a bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         103 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 101 , wherein the top member is mounted to the tripod via an adjustable mounting assembly having a first part connected to a top of the tripod and a second part connected to the top member, wherein the second part is rotatable, relative to the first part, about an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         104 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 100 , wherein the support system includes legs of adjustable length. 
     
     
         105 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 104 , wherein the top member is mounted to the legs at substantially separated locations on the bottom surface of the top member. 
     
     
         106 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 104 , wherein the top member is adapted to be tilted by adjusting the length of one leg to be different than the length of the other two legs. 
     
     
         107 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 96 , wherein the top member of at least one table module has a playing surface that is tilted at a substantially non-vertical angle relative to horizontal. 
     
     
         108 . The modular table tennis game set of  claim 96 , wherein the playing surface of each top member has an opening, penetrating therethrough, with a diameter that is substantially greater than the diameter of the table tennis ball.