Gaming table providing improved air curtain

Abstract

Embodiments generally relate to a gaming table. The gaming table comprises: a table structure defining a dealer side and an opposite player side, and defining a dealer position on the dealer side, wherein the table structure comprises a table top having a dealer table area and a player table area; a first air manifold on a first side of the dealer position, the first air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to project multiple first air jets at a plurality of different angles; a second air manifold on a second side of the dealer position opposite the first side, the second air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to project multiple second air jets at a plurality of different angles; and a blower to provide positive air pressure to the first and second air manifolds to thereby project the first and second air jets. The first and second air manifolds are arranged to project the first and second air jets in front of and away from the dealer position to shield the dealer position from fumes emanating from the player side.

1 . A gaming table, comprising:
 a table structure defining a dealer side and an opposite player side, and defining a dealer position on the dealer side, wherein the table structure comprises a table top having a dealer table area and a player table area;   a first air manifold on a first side of the dealer position, the first air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to project multiple first air jets at a plurality of different angles;   a second air manifold on a second side of the dealer position opposite the first side, the second air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to project multiple second air jets at a plurality of different angles; and   a blower to provide positive air pressure to the first and second air manifolds to thereby project the first and second air jets;   wherein the first and second air manifolds are arranged to project the first and second air jets in front of and away from the dealer position to shield the dealer position from fumes emanating from the player side.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second air manifolds and the blower are arranged so that the speed of projection of air from at least one of each of the first and second air jets is not equal. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the first air manifold is arranged to cause the multiple first air jets to have air speeds that comprise different air speeds. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the second air manifold is arranged to cause the multiple second air jets to have air speeds that comprise different air speeds. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the dealer position coincides with a lateral centre-line of the table structure, the table structure being generally symmetric about the lateral centre-line, wherein the first and second air manifolds are not symmetrically positioned about the lateral centre-line. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , further comprising a third air manifold on the first side of the dealer position, the third air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to receive air from the blower and to project multiple third air jets away from the third air manifold. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming table of  claim 6 , wherein the third air manifold projects the third air jets at a plurality of different angles having at least some directional component toward the dealer position. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming table of  claim 6 , wherein the third air manifold extends vertically above the table top and/or has a pole or tower shape. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming table of  claim 8 , wherein the third air manifold is arranged so that at least one of the third air jets is projected in a downward direction having at least some directional component toward the dealer position. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second air manifolds each have a low profile that extends minimally above a surface of the table top. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second air manifolds have a substantially same shape. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second air manifolds are substantially dome shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , further comprising means to provide a flow of air up from a floor near the dealer position. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , wherein the table structure defines at least one first air plenum below the table top on the first side of the dealer positon and at least one second air plenum below the table top on the second side of the dealer position, the table structure further comprising at least one first vent positioned below the table top to allow air out of the at least one first air plenum adjacent and/or near the dealer position and at least one second vent positioned below the table top to allow air out of the at least one second air plenum adjacent and/or near the dealer position. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming table of  claim 13 , wherein the table structure defines a recess under the table top at the dealer position to accommodate legs of the dealer, wherein at least one first vent opens into the recess and at least one second vent opens into the recess. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming table of  claim 13 , wherein at least one first vent is positioned near a floor on the dealer side and at least one second vent is positioned near the floor on the dealer side. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming table of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller housed in the table structure and configured to control the blower. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming table of  claim 16 , further comprising a pressure sensor arranged to measure the air pressure provided to the first and second air manifolds, the pressure sensor providing output signals to the controller, wherein the controller controls the blower based on the output signals to maintain a substantially constant air pressure to the first and second air manifolds. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming table of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is in data communication with a server, the controller transmitting pressure information to the server based on the output signals. 
     
     
         20 . A gaming environment comprising a room or area within which the air flow can be controlled, the gaming environment comprising at least one gaming table according to  claim 1 , each at least one gaming table being coupled to a source of clean air. 
     
     
         21 . The gaming environment of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one gaming table comprises at least two gaming tables, where two of such gaming tables are positioned so that the dealer sides of each of the tables are close to each other in a back to back configuration.