Banked air hockey table

Abstract

An air hockey game apparatus includes a playing surface having at least one banked portion thereon. The air hockey game apparatus further includes a table frame assembly and a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface. An air blower is included and is configured to blow air through the apertures formed in the playing surface to decrease friction between a puck and the playing surface. The banked surface increases the challenge level of the air hockey game.

1 . An air hockey game apparatus comprising:
 a table frame assembly;   a playing surface having apertures therein;   a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface;   an air blower configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface; and   wherein the playing surface is configured to include at least one banked portion.   
   
   
       2 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one banked portion is further configured to be formed at an angle that slideably returns a puck down to a flat planar portion of the playing surface. 
   
   
       3 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one goal opening on the playing surface. 
   
   
       4 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the at least one goal opening is further configured to include one of a bumper, a raised goal frame, and an overhang lip. 
   
   
       5 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the at least one goal opening is positioned between the flat planar portion of the playing surface and the at least one banked portion of the playing surface. 
   
   
       6 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the table frame assembly further comprises a bottom surface, side members and end members, wherein each of the end members are configured to include a receptacle opening therein. 
   
   
       7 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising at least one chute configured to connect the at least one goal opening to one of the receptacle openings. 
   
   
       8 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the at least one chute is further configured to be oriented at a downward angle to slide the puck from the at least one goal opening to one of the receptacle openings. 
   
   
       9 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the at least one banked portion is located adjacent to one of the end members and is inclined between 15 and 45 degrees from level. 
   
   
       10 . The air hockey game apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a peripheral wall disposed around the playing surface. 
   
   
       11 . An air hockey table comprising:
 a table frame assembly;   a playing surface having apertures therein, the playing surface having a flat portion and inclined portions at opposing ends thereof;   a hollow interior region formed by the table frame assembly and the playing surface;   an air blower configured to blow air through the hollow interior region and the apertures of the playing surface; and   goal openings on the playing surface configured to receive a puck therein.   
   
   
       12 . The air hockey table of  claim 11  wherein the inclined portions are further configured to be formed at an angle that slideably returns the puck down to the flat portion of the playing surface. 
   
   
       13 . The air hockey table of  claim 11  wherein the goal openings are further configured to include one of a bumper, a raised goal frame, and an overhang lip. 
   
   
       14 . The air hockey table of  claim 11  wherein the table frame assembly further comprises a bottom surface, side members and end members, wherein each of the end members are configured to include a receptacle opening therein. 
   
   
       15 . The air hockey table of  claim 14  further comprising chutes configured to connect the goal openings to the receptacle openings. 
   
   
       16 . The air hockey table of  claim 15  wherein the chutes are further configured to be oriented at a downward angle to slide the puck from the goal openings to the receptacle openings. 
   
   
       17 . The air hockey table of  claim 14  wherein the goal openings are positioned on the playing surface centrally between the side members and at a base of each of the banked portions, each of the banked portions being positioned adjacent to one of the end members. 
   
   
       18 . The air hockey table of  claim 11  further comprising a puck-reflecting frame disposed around the playing surface. 
   
   
       19 . A method for manufacturing an air hockey game apparatus comprising the steps of:
 constructing a table frame assembly having side panels, end panels, and a bottom surface;   disposing a playing surface on top of the table frame assembly, the playing surface having an inclined portion on opposing ends thereof and further including apertures therein;   forming goal openings in the playing surface; and   attaching an air blower to the table frame assembly, the air blower configured to blow air through the apertures of the playing surface to facilitate movement of a puck thereacross.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further including the step of positioning the goal openings at a bottom edge of the inclined portions. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  further including the step of attaching a leg assembly to the table frame assembly.