Foosball table with longitudinal and lateral player movements

Abstract

A foosball table with longitudinal and lateral player movements above a playing surface is disclosed. The player figures carried on a control shaft in a spaced apart relation along the shaft. A proximal end of the shaft has a control knob operable from an exterior of the table. A distal end of the shaft is pivotally coupled beyond an interior sidewall of the playing surface, yet within an anteroom of the foosball table defined by an exterior panel of the foosball table and the interior sidewall. A longitudinal slot is provided along the exterior panel for a longitudinal displacement of the control shaft and the player figures carried on the control shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foosball table comprises a pivot assembly pivotably connecting a distal portion of a player-figure shaft relative to a playing surface of the foosball table so that a proximal portion of the player-figure shaft moves substantially longitudinally relative to the playing surface. 
     
     
         2 . The foosball table of  claim 1 , wherein said substantially longitudinal movement is defined by a circular motion of the proximal portion about a z-axis of the pivot assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The foosball table of  claim 2 , wherein the playing surface is a two-dimensional area defined by a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and wherein the z-axis defines a z-direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions. 
     
     
         4 . The foosball table of  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal movement is confined by a longitudinal slot disposed in an exterior panel of the foosball table. 
     
     
         5 . The foosball table of  claim 4 , wherein the pivot assembly is contained in an anteroom adjacent to the playing surface. 
     
     
         6 . The foosball table of  claim 5 , wherein the anteroom is defined by the exterior panel and an interior sidewall defining a longitudinal edge of the playing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The foosball table of  claim 6 , wherein each player figure on player-figure shaft is movable rotatable and linearly about a lateral axis and pivotable about the z-axis. 
     
     
         8 . The foosball table of  claim 7 , wherein the longitudinal slot extends in a longitudinal direction for at least twice a distance of a diameter of the player-figure shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The foosball table of  claim 8 , wherein a distal end of the player-figure shaft ends prior to the exterior panel. 
     
     
         10 . The foosball table of  claim 9 , wherein each player figure of the player-figure shaft is linearly adjustable along a length of the player-figure shaft.