Tabletop game with lighted playing field

Abstract

The present invention provides a game having a translucent playing surface and a light source beneath the playing surface.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A game, comprising: 
 a game arena;    a playing surface in the game arena;    the playing surface having at least one portion that can pass light; and    at least one light source beneath the playing surface, such that light from the at least one light source can be viewed from above the playing surface.    
     
     
         2 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game arena represents a foosball game.  
     
     
         3 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game arena comprises at least one of a hockey game, a baseball game, a golf game, a football game, or a soccer game.  
     
     
         4 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the playing surface comprises glass.  
     
     
         5 . The game according to  claim 4 , wherein the glass comprises at least one color.  
     
     
         6 . The game according to  claim 4 , wherein the glass is frosted.  
     
     
         7 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the playing surface comprises plastic.  
     
     
         8 . The game according to  claim 7 , wherein the plastic comprises at least one color.  
     
     
         9 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the playing surface includes at least one of a transparent portion, a translucent portion, and an opaque portion.  
     
     
         10 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source comprises: 
 at least one of a florescent light, an incandescent light, a light string, or a strobe light.    
     
     
         11 . The game according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one light switch to turn the at least one light on and off.    
     
     
         12 . The game according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one dimmer switch to regulate the brightness of the at least one light source.    
     
     
         13 . The game according to  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 at least one dimmer switch to regulate the brightness of the at least one light source.    
     
     
         14 . The game according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one timer to control power to the at least one light source.  
     
     
         15 . The game according to claim  1 I, further comprising: 
 at least one timer to control power to the at least one light source.    
     
     
         16 . The game according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 at least one timer to control power to the at least one light source.    
     
     
         17 . The game according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 at least one timer to control power to the at least one light source.    
     
     
         18 . The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one portion of the playing surface is designed to form a playing surface that simulates at least one of a hockey game, a baseball game, a golf game, a football game, or a soccer game.  
     
     
         19  The game according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one portion of the playing surface is designed to form a decorative pattern.  
     
     
         20 . The game according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one portion of the playing surface is further designed to form a decorative pattern.  
     
     
         21 . A game, comprising: 
 a game arena;    a playing surface in the game arena;    the playing surface having at least one portion that can pass light; and    means for providing light beneath the playing surface, such that light from means for providing light can be viewed from above the playing surface.