Gaming table smoke control systems and processes

Abstract

Smoke control systems and processes for controlling tobacco smoke, in association with a gaming table in which the smoke control system does not interfere with the gaming and allows the table to be used for both smoking and non-smoking applications.

1 . A system for controlling tobacco smoke in association with a gaming table for playing card games, by exhausting contaminated air from the ambient air in front of said gaming table which is typically occupied by a user of the gaming table and an ash tray for lighted cigarettes, comprising a multiplicity of smoke collection devices positioned on the playing surface of the gaming table in close proximity to regions of where players who are smoking and their ashtrays would be positioned, yet sufficiently separated from the region in which the player would have the items used in playing so as to not to unduly interfere with the card game, said smoke collection devices each comprising (1) an exhaust fan having filtering means, (2) a retractable inflow vent positionable in either an active/open, outwardly-directed position when a smoker is using the table or an inactive/closed position when no such smoker is present and (3) an outflow zone through which air filtered through said filtering means is passed. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising three or more of said smoke collection devices. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the said one or more smoke collection devices are retrofitted to an existing gaming table. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  comprising said smoke collection devices at each position at the gaming table at which players are to be situated. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said filtering means is a multi-layer filter including at least one electrostatic filter within the exhaust fan and at least one fibrous filter. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising means for opening and closing said retractable inflow vent and activating exhaust fan dependent upon whether or not a smoker is using said gaming table. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the said retractable vent is positioned when in its open position at an angle of about 41° from the table surface 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling tobacco smoke in association with a gaming table for playing card games, comprising (1) exhausting contaminated air through an upwardly and outwardly directed retractable vent from the ambient air in the multiplicity of regions which are typically occupied by the users of the gaming table and an ash tray for lighted cigarettes regions of the playing surface of the gaming table where players who are smoking and their ashtrays would be positioned, yet sufficiently separated from the region in which the player would have the items used in playing so as to not to unduly interfere with the card game, (2) separately filtering said exhausted air from each said retractable vent and (3) discharging said filtered air. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said discharging said filtered directs flow of filtered air away from the said user. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said exhausting contaminated air is appropriately spatially positioned in such close proximity to said player and said ash tray placement region so that smoke from the region in which smoke is produced by a smoker using said gaming player can be effectively exhausted. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising closing said retractable vent when no smoking is occurring at the gaming table or a portion thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising opening and closing said retractable vent by electrical means.