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Game table deployment and stowage apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Billiards Or Pool, Table Or Gameboard, Convertible To Another Type Of Furniture Or To Different Type Of Game Playing Surface, Vertically Movable Playing SurfaceGame table deployment and stowage apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060084515, Game table deployment and stowage apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional application Ser. No. 60/620,089, filed on Oct. 18, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to game tables, or more particularly, to an apparatus for deploying and stowing a game table in a storage area located above a living space. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] People of all ages enjoy playing games such as for pool, billiards, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, and assorted card games. In most cases, these games are played in commercial establishments, such as arcades, bars, recreational centers, and the like, because the size of the specialized game tables renders them generally impractical to play at all but the largest homes. Given the limited size of the average home, most homeowners either do not have sufficient space or are unwilling to devote precious living space necessary to accommodate such a game table. Some types of game tables are foldable, particularly ping pong tables, to permit them to be folded and stowed after use and thereby avoid permanent dedication of home space for the game table. But, most other game tables, such as for pool, billiards, and air hockey, cannot be easily stowed. To satisfy consumers' demand for home game tables, miniaturized versions of these game tables are known in the art. A significant drawback of these miniaturized game tables is that the quality of play is substantially less than that experienced with a full-sized (up to regulation size) table. As a result, a home game room with a full-sized game table remains a luxury item that is out of reach for most homeowners. [0006] Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a home game table that can be easily stowed to eliminate the need for dedicated game space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention satisfies the need for a home game table that can be easily stowed and deployed within a room, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated game space. [0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a game table deployment system comprises a housing adapted to be mounted to a ceiling of a room, the housing including an opening facing downward into the room, a lift mechanism contained in the housing, and a game table operatively coupled to the lift mechanism. The game table is movable by operation of the lift mechanism between a stowed position in which the game table is substantially contained within the opening of the housing and a deployed position in which the game table is deployed for use within the room. The housing may include at least one door adapted to at least partially enclose the opening. The door may further include at least one electric light oriented to provide light onto the game table below when in the deployed position and the at least one door is opened. The lift mechanism may further comprise a motor and a plurality of cables operatively driven by the motor, the game table being coupled to respective ends of the plurality of cables. The plurality of cables may further comprise fasteners enabling selective coupling to and uncoupling from engagement with the game table. The game table may further comprise at least one folding leg. The game table may be a pool table, a ping pong table, a foosball table, a card table, a gaming table, and the like. [0009] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a game table deployment system comprises a housing adapted to be coupled to a ceiling, the housing further containing a lift mechanism, and a game table provided in the housing, the game table and housing being movable by operation of the lift mechanism between a stowed position in which the housing is in direct contact with the ceiling and a deployed position in which the housing is lowered into the room, the game table thereby being available for use within the room. The housing may further include at least one electric light oriented to provide light onto the room when in the stowed position. The lift mechanism may further comprises a motor and a plurality of cables operatively driven by the motor, respective ends of the plurality of cables being coupled to the ceiling. The plurality of cables may further comprise fasteners enabling selective coupling to and uncoupling from engagement with the ceiling. The housing may further comprise at least one folding leg. The game table may be a pool table, a ping pong table, a foosball table, a card table, a gaming table, and the like. [0010] A more complete understanding of the game table apparatus will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, which will first be described briefly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1A is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a deployable game table in a fully stowed configuration within a ceiling enclosure; [0012] FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the game table of FIG. 1A in a partially deployed configuration; [0013] FIG. 1C is a top view of the game table of FIG. 1A in a fully deployed configuration; [0014] FIG. 1D is a side sectional view of the game table of FIG. 1A in a fully deployed configuration; [0015] FIG. 2A is an enlarged side sectional view of a foldable door of the ceiling enclosure of FIGS. 1A and 1B; [0016] FIG. 2B is a side sectional view of the foldable door of FIG. 2A in an opened configuration; [0017] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a ceiling enclosure; [0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B are front and side views of a latch release tool for use with the ceiling enclosure of FIG. 3; [0019] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage as shown in a partially deployed configuration; [0020] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a third embodiment of a deployable game table adapted for ceiling stowage as shown in a partially deployed configuration; Continue reading about Game table deployment and stowage apparatus... Full patent description for Game table deployment and stowage apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Game table deployment and stowage apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Game table deployment and stowage apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Systems and methods for moving a baby container Next Patent Application: Method and system for defining and using a reference swing for a sports training system Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Game table deployment and stowage apparatus patent info. 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