Air hockey tabletop assembly, table comprising same and associated method

Abstract

An air hockey tabletop assembly comprising at least two segments, each defining a respective portion of an air hockey playing surface, the assembly being configurable between: an assembled state wherein the segments are joined and supported by a table so as to define the playing surface; and a disassembled state wherein each segment is removable from the table.

1 . An air hockey tabletop assembly comprising at least two segments, each defining a respective portion of an air hockey playing surface, the assembly being configurable between:
 (a) an assembled state wherein the segments are joined and supported by a table so as to define the playing surface; and   (b) a disassembled state wherein each segment is removable from the table.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein in the assembled state, the segments are joined to form a substantially flat and continuous playing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein interfacing ends of the segments comprise support means for maintaining the playing surface in a substantially flat condition. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the support means further comprises connection means configured to enable the joining of adjacent segments at their interfacing ends. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , each segment comprises framing underlying the playing surface via which the segments can be supported by the table. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the framing comprises a member underlying respective support means. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the framing is provided with padding for receipt of an upper surface of the table. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein adjacent segments are releasably securable to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , the assembly comprising two segments, each generally defining one half of the tabletop assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , being configured to be assembled on and supported by tables such as pool tables, billiards tables, dining tables and the like. 
     
     
         11 . A table comprising an air hockey tabletop assembly comprising at least two segments, each defining a respective portion of an air hockey playing surface, the assembly being configurable between an assembled state wherein the segments are joined and supported by a table so as to define the playing surface; and a disassembled state wherein each segment is removable from the table, the table being configurable between:
 (a) a first use state wherein the tabletop assembly is disassembled and not supported by the table; and   (b) a second use state wherein the tabletop assembly is assembled and supported by the table such that the table can be used for playing air hockey.   
     
     
         12 . The table of  claim 11 , the table being height-adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . A method of configuring a table, such as a pool table, for air hockey, using an assembly comprising at least two segments, each defining a respective portion of an air hockey playing surface, the assembly being configurable between an assembled state wherein the segments are joined and supported by a table so as to define the playing surface; and a disassembled state wherein each segment is removable from the table, the method comprising:
 (a) placing each segment of the tabletop assembly on the table such that they are supported thereon; and   (b) bringing the segments together such that they are aligned and define an upper playing surface on which air hockey can be played.