Rotary game table

Abstract

A rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table includes one type of game on one side and another type of game on the other side. The at least one cross member is terminated on each end by a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotally retained by one side support member on each end thereof. A locking device is used to pivotally constrain rotation of the combination game table. At least one table cross member is used to internally brace the combination game table with at least one air passage formed therethrough. In another embodiment, a substantially U-shaped side member is attached to one cross member and one end of the two side support members. In another embodiment, a collapsible support is used to increase rigidity of the side support members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotary game table comprising:
 a combination game table including an air hockey game surface defining a first plane and a second game surface defining a second plane;   a first side support rotatably supporting the combination game table;   a second side support spaced apart from the first side support and rotatably supporting the combination game table; and   a blower positioned entirely between the first plane and the second plane, the blower supplying air to the air hockey game surface.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary game table of  claim 1 , wherein the first side support includes an outer surface and the second side support includes an outer surface, and wherein the blower is positioned between the outer surface of the first side support and the outer surface of the second side support. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary game table of  claim 2 , wherein the combination game table defines a cavity between the air hockey game surface and the second game surface, and wherein the blower is positioned in the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary game table of  claim 3 , wherein the combination game table further includes a drawer, the blower being supported in the drawer to position the blower in the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary game table of  claim 4 , wherein the combination game table further includes a frame supporting the air hockey game surface and the second game surface, the frame defining an air vent in fluid communication with the blower to provide air to the air hockey game surface. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary game table of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of latches, each latch including
 a housing connected to one side support,   a lever pivotably supported by the housing, and   a projection extending from the lever, the projection being moved by the lever between a locked position, in which the projection engages the combination game table to prevent rotation of the combination game table, and an unlocked position, in which the projection is disengaged from the combination game table;   wherein the combination game table defines a rotation axis about which the combination game table rotates, the rotation axis being between the pair of latches.   
     
     
         7 . The rotary game table of  claim 1 , wherein the combination game table further includes a diffuser plate spaced from the air hockey surface to define an air gap, the diffuser plate defining an air hole through which the air gap is in fluid communication with the blower, and
 wherein the air hockey surface defines a plurality of holes therethrough, in operation, the blower causing air flow from the blower through the air hole to the air gap and from the air gap through the holes.   
     
     
         8 . The rotary game table of  claim 7 , wherein the combination game table further includes a cross member in contact with the diffuser plate, the cross member defining a hole, in operation, the blower causing air flow through the hole of the cross member. 
     
     
         9 . The rotary game table of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pivot pin connected between the combination game table and one of the side supports, the pivot pin defining a rotation axis about which the combination game table rotates; and   a power cord connected to the blower and operable to connect the blower to a power source, the power cord extending through the pivot pin.   
     
     
         10 . A rotary game table comprising:
 a combination game table including an air hockey game surface defining a plurality of holes therethrough and a second game surface, the combination game table also including a diffuser plate positioned between and extending generally parallel to the air hockey game surface and the second game surface and spaced from the air hockey surface to define an air gap, the diffuser plate defining an air hole;   two spaced apart side supports rotatably supporting the combination game table; and   a blower supported to cause air flow through the air hole to the air gap and from the air gap through the holes.   
     
     
         11 . The rotary game table of  claim 10 , wherein the combination game table defines a cavity between the air hockey game surface and the second game surface, and wherein the blower is positioned in the cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The rotary game table of  claim 10 , wherein the combination game table further includes a frame supporting the air hockey game surface and the second game surface, the frame defining an air vent in fluid communication with the blower to provide air to the air hockey game surface. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary game table of  claim 10 , further comprising a pair of latches, each latch including
 a housing connected to the first side support,   a lever pivotably supported by the housing, and   a projection extending from the lever, the projection being moved by the lever between a locked position, in which the projection engages the combination game table to prevent rotation of the combination game table, and an unlocked position, in which the projection is disengaged from the combination game table;   wherein the combination game table defines a rotation axis about which the combination game table rotates, the rotation axis being between the pair of latches.   
     
     
         14 . The rotary game table of  claim 10 , wherein the combination game table further includes a cross member in contact with the diffuser plate, the cross member defining a hole, in operation, the blower causing air flow through the hole of the cross member. 
     
     
         15 . The rotary game table of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a pivot pin connected between the combination game table and one of the side supports, the pivot pin defining a rotation axis about which the combination game table rotates; and   a power cord connected to the blower and operable to connect the blower to a power source, the power cord extending through the pivot pin.   
     
     
         16 . A rotary game table comprising:
 a combination game table including a first game surface and a second game surface;   a first side support rotabably supporting the combination game table;   a second side support spaced apart from the first side support and rotatably supporting the combination game table; and   a latch including
 a housing connected to the first side support, 
 a lever pivotably supported by the housing, and 
 a projection extending from the lever, the projection being moved by the lever between a locked position, in which the projection engages the combination game table to prevent rotation of the combination game table, and an unlocked position, in which the combination game table is rotatable. 
   
     
     
         17 . The rotary game table of  claim 16 , further comprising a second latch including
 a second housing connected to one of the first side support and the second side support,   a second lever pivotably supported by the second housing, and   a second projection extending from the second lever, the second projection being moved by the second lever between a locked position, in which the second projection engages the combination game table to prevent rotation of the combination game table, and an unlocked position, in which the second projection is disengaged from the combination game table;   wherein the combination game table defines a rotation axis about which the combination game table rotates, the rotation axis being between the first-mentioned latch and the second latch.   
     
     
         18 . The rotary game table of  claim 17 , wherein the second latch housing is connected to the first side support. 
     
     
         19 . The rotary game table of  claim 18 , further comprising a third latch and a fourth latch, each of the third and fourth latches including
 a housing connected to the second side support,   a lever pivotably supported by the housing, and   a projection extending from the lever, the projection being moved by the lever between a locked position, in which the projection engages the combination game table to prevent rotation of the combination game table, and an unlocked position, in which the projection is disengaged from the combination game table.   
     
     
         20 . The rotary game table of  claim 16 , wherein the first game surface includes an air hockey game surface defining a plurality of holes therethrough,
 wherein the combination game table also includes a diffuser plate positioned between the air hockey game surface and the second game surface and spaced from the air hockey surface to define an air gap, the diffuser plate defining an air hole, the combination game table defining a cavity between the air hockey game surface and the second game surface, and   wherein the rotary game table further comprises a blower supported in the cavity to cause air flow through the air hole to the air gap and from the air gap through the holes.   
     
     
         21 . The rotary game table of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a pivot pin connected between the combination game table and one of the side supports, the pivot pin defining a rotation axis about which the combination game table rotates; and   a power cord connected to the blower and operable to connect the blower to a power source, the power cord extending through the pivot pin.   
     
     
         22 . A method of operating a rotary game table, the method comprising:
 providing a rotary game table including
 a combination game table including an air hockey game surface defining a plurality of holes, a second game surface, and a diffuser plate positioned between and extending generally parallel to the hockey game surface and the second game surface, the diffuser plate being spaced from the air hockey game surface to form an air gap and defining an air hole, 
 two side supports rotatably supporting the combination game table, and 
 a blower in fluid communication with the air gap through the air hole; and 
   operating the blower to supply air through the air hole to the air gap and from the air gap through the holes.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein providing the combination game table includes providing a cross member in contact with the diffuser plate, the cross member defining a hole, and wherein operating the blower includes operating the blower to supply air through the hole of the cross member to the air gap. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein providing the combination game table includes defining a cavity between the air hockey game surface and the second game surface, and positioning the blower in the cavity.