Expandable Gaming Table

This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/744,575 filed Jan. 12, 2025, titled EXPANDABLE GAMING TABLE (the “Provisional Application”). The disclosure(s) of the Provisional Application is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.

This disclosure relates generally to gaming equipment and, more specifically, to tables that may expand and provide for additional features to be placed along rails of the expandable table.

Disclosed are devices, and/or methods of use thereof regarding gaming equipment and, more specifically, expandable tables for playing games. In various aspects, an expandable gaming table may include a tabletop comprising a first half and a second half, with each of the first half and the second half having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween. The first half may be connectable to the second half. The expandable gaming table may also include a pair of legs, where a first leg of the pair is connectable to the bottom surface of the first half and a second leg of the pair is connectable to the bottom surface of the second half of the tabletop. The expandable gaming table may further include a rail having a first half and a second half, with the first half of the rail disposed on the top surface of the first half of the tabletop and the second half of the rail disposed on the top surface of the second half of the tabletop.

In some embodiments, the first half of the rail matches a shape or outline of the first half of the tabletop and the second half of the rail matches a shape or outline of the second half of the tabletop. Additionally, ends of the first half and the second half of the rail may abut and be flush with each other when the expandable gaming table is in a contracted, or condensed, first configuration. In other words, ends of the first half and the second half of the rail may be even with each other when the table is in the first configuration. A second, expanded, configuration may allow for the first half of the table and second half of the table to be separated. The separation of each half of the table may occur at a midline of the table. The separation of the first half and the second half may allow for a first panel, or first leaf, to be positioned between the first half and the second half. The leaf may include the same or similar features of each of the first half and second half with a flush tabletop with the first half and second half and rails on each lateral side of the leaf that sit flush with the rails of the first half and the second half of the table.

In other aspects, an expandable gaming table may include a tabletop having a first half connectable to a second half. The tabletop may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall extending therebetween. The expandable gaming table may also include a pair of legs connectable to the bottom surface of the tabletop, and a rail having a first portion connectable to a second portion. The first portion of the rail may be disposed about a perimeter of the first half of the tabletop and the second portion may be disposed about a perimeter of the second half of the tabletop. The expandable gaming table may further include a tray receivable within a channel or groove defined by the first portion and the second portion of the rail. The tray may be slidable within the channel to various positions about the rail and the tabletop.

Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as features and advantages of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Many types of games (e.g., board games, card games, role-playing games, etc.) require a surface upon which to play. For example, board games require a surface upon which to place the gaming board, move gaming pieces, and roll dice. Role-playing games can require a surface upon which to roll dice, move gaming pieces or characters, play cards, etc. Conventional tables usually provide a good surface for game play. However, conventional tables generally have a fixed tabletop surface that can only accommodate a certain number of players, a certain number of game pieces, etc. Additionally, conventional tables have open perimeters, meaning it can be easy to lose various gaming pieces off the edges of the table, such as dice, figures, puzzle pieces and the like, which can frustrate game play. Further, conventional tables do not provide any storage for game pieces.

Additionally, tables that may allow for game place that may have a raised perimeter are not very conducive for dining or hosting. Furthermore, other types of games may not be ideal for raised perimeter tables such as card games or the like.

1 3 FIGS.through 1 FIG. 100 100 102 10 20 10 30 10 20 22 24 30 100 50 10 50 30 50 50 20 10 13 20 50 13 30 50 10 11 12 11 12 11 12 18 11 12 16 10 10 12 13 14 13 15 11 12 100 20 11 12 16 14 100 11 12 17 10 30 30 10 30 10 Embodiments of the present disclosure address these and other problems with game play. Referring to, illustrated is an expandable gaming table. As illustrated in, the expandable gaming tableis in a first, contracted, configurationand includes a tabletop, a pair of legsconnectable to the tabletop, and a raildisposed about the tabletop. Each pair of legsmay include a first legand a second leg. The railmay be permanently or reversibly attached to the table. Optionally, end caps such as decorative end capsmay be positioned about corners of the tabletop. The end capsmay be permanently positioned on the corners such that the railsterminate at each end cap, but may also be reversibly fixed to the corners as well. The end capsmay provide an aesthetically pleasing corner that may match the other portions of the table such as the legsor the tabletoptop surfacewhich may be made of wood or a wood like material, or wood look-like material, to give the legs, caps, and top surfacea nice finished look which may be hard wood, laminate or similar. However, it will be appreciated that the railmay extend, or bend, around the corners in place of where the end capsare positioned. The tabletopmay include a first halfconnected to a second half. The first halfmay be removably connected to the second half, such that the first halfcan be separated from the second halfto accommodate at least one leaf. The first halfmay be connected to the second halfby a seam. The tabletop(e.g., the first halfand the second half) has a top surface, a bottom surfaceopposite the top surface, and a sidewallextending therebetween. It will be appreciated that a single, more stout or robust, leg may be positioned toward a center of each half,of the tableas well rather than two pairs of legspositioned on each half,. At or near the seamlatches, clips or other fasteners, may be positioned on the bottom surfaceof the tableto secure the first halfto the second half. Alternatively, latches may be positioned on a perimeterof the table topeither on the inside of the railor outside of the rail(the inside meaning the side of the rail facing toward the table topand the outside of the railfacing away from the table top).

2 3 FIGS.and 100 102 103 18 11 12 10 18 37 30 18 11 12 10 37 18 18 Referring to, the tabletopis convertible from the first, contracted, configurationto a second, expanded, configurationthrough insertion of the leafbetween the first portionand the second portionof the tabletop. The at least one leafmay include a leaf railthat is connectable to the railwhen the leafis inserted between the first halfand the second halfof the tabletop. The leaf railmay be permanently affixed to the at least one leafor it may be reversibly attached to the at least one leaf.

100 102 103 11 12 18 11 12 18 11 12 11 12 18 11 12 56 11 12 56 18 11 12 13 14 18 37 19 18 11 12 100 37 18 37 19 18 11 12 5 FIG. To convert the gaming tablefrom the first configurationto the second configuration, the first halfis separated from the second halfwhich may include releasing the latches. The leafmay then be inserted between and connected to the first halfand the second half. The leaf, like the first halfand second halfmay include latches that correspond with the latches of the first halfand second halfsuch that the leafmay be secured to each half in the second configuration much like each half is secured to the other in the contracted, or closed, configuration. The first halfand/or the second halfmay include support mechanisms(e.g., stabilizing bar(s), brackets, straps, channels, etc.) that allow for expansion and retraction of the first halffrom second half(or vis versa). These support mechanisms(see) are configured to receive and support the leafwherein the support mechanisms, which may be a stabilizing bar or bars, may extend between the first halfand the second halfand may run underneath top surfacealong the bottom surface. The leafmay have the leaf raildisposed, or positioned on lateral edges of the top surfacebefore the leafis inserted between the first halfand the second half. Similar to the table, the leaf railsmay be permanently or reversibly attached to the leaf. Alternatively, the leaf railmay be placed on the top surfaceof the leafafter the leaf has been inserted between the first halfand the second half.

1 2 FIGS.and 15 17 10 15 17 10 15 17 10 10 15 10 Referring again to, the sidewallmay approximate a perimeter or outlineof the tabletop. The sidewalland/or the perimetermay define a shape of the tabletop. Additionally, the sidewalland/or the perimetermay define a gaming area of the tabletop. As illustrated, the tabletopis substantially rectangular, though other shapes (e.g., circular, trapezoidal, etc.) are contemplated herein. A height of the sidewallmay impart a thickness to the tabletop.

30 13 10 30 31 13 11 10 30 32 13 12 10 37 19 18 30 17 10 30 17 10 31 32 30 31 32 30 30 The railmay be disposed on the top surfaceof the tabletop. In some embodiments, the railincludes a first portiondisposed on the top surfaceof the first halfof the tabletop. The railmay also include a second portiondisposed on the top surfaceof the second halfof the tabletop. Similarly, the leaf railmay be disposed on a top surfaceof the leaf. A shape of the railmay match or correspond to the perimeterof the tabletop. For example, as illustrated, the railis substantially rectangular to match the substantially rectangular perimeterof the tabletop. In some embodiments, the first and second portions,of the railare substantially U-shaped; together, the U-shaped first and second portions,create the substantially rectangular shape of the rail. While the railin cross-section may appear to be substantially rectangular it will be appreciated that any other cross-sectional shapes are considered including any polygonal or circular configuration.

100 100 100 100 31 32 30 18 30 31 32 100 100 18 37 100 Alternatively, the expandable tablemay provide for expansion by more than just the midline of the tableinto two equal halves. For example, the tablemay allow for expansion toward one end of the tablefor instance at the first portionand/or second portionof the rail. The leafmay be able to be inserted or positioned just “inside” the railat one or either end, or both, of the first and second portions,. The mechanical coupling in this embodiment would be similar as though the tablewere split down the midline of the previous embodiment. Furthermore many other alternate configurations are contemplated that may allow for expansion of a leaf at any infinite locations along the tableincluding a one-third/two-third split or a one-fourth/three-fourth split. In each instance the leafand the leaf railsmaintain the same flush positioning with the table.

100 102 11 10 12 11 12 13 18 11 12 19 18 13 11 12 13 1 FIG. When the tableis in the first configuration, as illustrated in, the first halfof the tabletopis substantially flush or even with the second half. That is, the first and second halves,create a planar top surfacefor playing games (e.g., rolling dice, setting up a game board, moving game pieces, etc.). When the leafis inserted between the first halfand the second half, the top surfaceof the leafis flush and continuous with the top surfacesof the first halfand the second half, create a planar top surfacefor playing games.

102 31 30 32 31 32 16 31 32 30 100 102 18 11 12 103 37 31 32 30 Similarly, when in the contracted configuration, the first portionof the railis substantially flush or even with the second portion. That is, ends of the first portionand the second portionare flush with where they meet each other, such as at the seam. The flush meeting of the first and second portion,gives the raila continuous configuration when the tableis in the contracted configuration. When the leafis inserted between the first halfand the second halfin the expanded configuration, the leaf railis substantially flush and continuous with both the first portionand the second portionof the rail.

30 37 30 30 100 40 45 30 30 30 40 40 40 40 40 36 36 36 10 30 5 6 FIGS.and 5 FIG. 5 FIG. a b a b The continuous configuration of the rail(including the leaf rail) allows various accessories to be attached to the railand slid around the railand, thus, around the table. For example, referring briefly to, the accessory may include a trayor a cupfor holding dice, game pieces, drinks, etc. (seeas well). The continuous configuration of the railalso minimizes the risk of items catching (e.g., clothing, dice bags, etc.) on seams or discontinuities within the rail, as well as minimizing the risk of items being scratched (e.g., user's skin or hands, game boards, etc.) by discontinuities within the rail. A second traymay be a planar tray to allow for placement of game pieces, figures or dice on a flat surface (see). Additional traysmay include troughs, voids, recesses, or lips along a planar surface, to allow for specific use in specific games. Each of the trays,,may reside within the channelsand may be reversibly inserted, or attached, into the channelsand slide along the channels. Other accessories may also include arm rests that may slide into the channels and may include a cushion to allow a user to rest his arms over the tabletopresting on the rail.

4 FIG. 30 35 35 35 10 35 10 35 35 15 10 30 17 10 10 30 15 10 30 13 10 a b a b a bmay Referring to, and additionally, the railmay include an internal sidewalland an external sidewall. The internal sidewallmay face toward the tabletopand the external sidewallmay face away from the tabletop. The internal sidewalland external sidewallbe substantially flush or continuous with the sidewallof the tabletop. In this way, the railmay provide a bumper or ridge surrounding the perimeterof the tabletop. This may prevent elements of game play (e.g., characters, dice, etc.) from falling off edges of the tabletopand may provide a platform for users to rest their arms on. Alternatively, the railmay be positioned about the sidewallof the tabletopsuch that the railmay be flush with the top surfaceof the tabletop.

4 FIG. 1 3 FIGS.through 4 FIG. 30 100 31 32 37 31 32 37 30 31 32 33 34 33 35 33 34 35 33 34 35 35 36 36 35 33 34 36 a b a b illustrates close-up views of a portion of one example of a railto be disposed on the expandable gaming tableof. Specifically,illustrates embodiments of the first portionand/or the second portion. The leaf railmay be substantially the same as the first portionand the second portion, though the leaf railmay be linear in shape without any curves. The rail(e.g., the first portionand the second portion) includes a top rail surface, a bottom rail surfaceopposite the top surface, and the internal sidewallextending between the top and bottom surfaces,and the external sidewallextending between the top and bottom surfaces,. Defined within the sidewalls,may be one or more channels, or groove(s),. In some embodiments, the channelsare disposed symmetrically about the sidewall. Additionally, the top and/or bottom surfaces,may define channels.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 31 32 30 36 33 34 35 31 32 30 As illustrated in, the first or second portions,of the railmay include a channel, or channels, in each of the top surface, the bottom surface, and symmetrically within the sidewalls. Also as illustrated, the first or second portion,may have a “double-decker” configuration, which approximates two railsofstacked on each other.

5 7 FIGS.- 30 100 17 100 10 36 30 100 30 100 36 33 36 35 36 35 30 10 10 a b a c b Referring to, an alternate rail system is depicted. The rail(s)may be integrated into the tableitself which may include wherein a rail is secured to the perimeterof the tableand wood, or rubber wood, or similar (much like that of the tabletop) such that only the channelsare exposed and not the remainder of the railgiving the tablea more aesthetically pleasing look. Alternatively, the railmay be comprised of the same primary material as the remainder of the tablewith only the channel varying in material than the remainder of the table. In this embodiment top rail channelmay be exposed on the top surface, and internal channelextending into sidewall, and external channelextending into sidewallof the railwhich may allow for accessories to be positioned toward the tabletopor away from the tabletop.

30 37 30 37 30 37 30 17 10 30 10 50 37 18 36 30 100 In some embodiments, the railand/or the leaf railare an aluminum extruded rail,. In some embodiments, the rail,may be constructed from wood, extruded carbon, carbon fiber, aluminum alloys, thermoplastic, acrylic, and/or combinations thereof. The railis configured to match or correspond to a perimeterof the tabletop, such that the railmay be positioned along a length and width of the tabletopwith endcaps. The leaf railmay be configured to match or correspond to a shape of the leaf. In the alternate solely the channelmay be comprised of the previously listed material while the railcomprises the same or similar material as the remainder of the table.

30 31 32 37 10 18 17 10 34 30 13 10 30 31 32 10 36 34 30 30 10 30 10 30 13 14 10 The rail(i.e., the first portionand/or the second portion) and/or the leaf railmay be permanently adhered or attached to the tabletop, the leaf, and/or the perimeterof the tabletop. Specifically, the bottom surfaceof the railmay be disposed on the top surfaceof the tabletop. For example, the rail(i.e., the first portionand/or the second portion) may be hingedly attached to the tabletop. In some embodiments, a channeldefined in the bottom surfaceof the railmay hingedly connect the railto the tabletop. The railmay be attached to the tabletopin such a way that the railcan be pivoted or hinged off the top surfaceand folded under the bottom surfaceof the tabletop.

30 13 10 30 10 100 103 30 10 10 30 100 30 5 7 FIGS.- 4 FIG. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the railmay be removably attached to the top surfaceof the tabletop. In such embodiments, the railmay be removed from the tabletopprior to expanding the tableinto the expanded configuration. The railmay be attached to the tabletopvia adhesives, fasteners, clips, snaps, adhesive, screws, barbed screws or projections mating with apertures on the tabletop, barbed screws or projections mating with apertures on the rail, etc. Further contemplated herein is the rail is integrated and manufactured with the tablesuch that is it molded or manufactured as a single piece with the extruded channels being positioned within the rails(see) rather than an entirely separate rail system (see).

7 FIG. 100 52 52 52 30 30 50 52 52 36 30 100 52 52 30 10 54 10 52 52 52 52 10 30 100 52 100 30 100 52 18 37 52 100 Referring to, the gaming tablemay include a table topperor a plurality of table toppers. The table toppermay rest on top of the rails, or nest on top of the rails, and more specifically between the endcaps. Alternatively, the table toppermay include a protrusion or protrusions extending from a bottom portion of the table topper, that sit within a top channelof the rail securing the table topper to the railand ultimately the tableitself. The table toppermay be substantially planar, and/or flat. The plurality of table toppersmay be positioned on the railsand over the tabletopcreating a cavitybetween the tabletopand the table topper. The plurality of table toppersmay sit flush one next to the other making a flat, single planar surface like that of a dining table. The plurality table toppersthus form a dinging table which may be used for eating, entertaining or gaming where pieces of a game are less likely to roll off an edge of a table (e.g. card games). The plurality table toppersmay be the same shape and width to allow them to cover the entire tableopsurface and rest on the railsrunning the length of the table. Will be appreciated that alternatively the plurality of table toppersmay also run the length of the tableand rest in the railsrunning the width of the table. In the current embodiment the plurality of table toppersmay be rectangular and resemble the leaf, without the leaf rail(s). The number of table toppersmay depend on whether the tableis in a first configuration or a second configuration.

8 FIG. 40 30 37 100 40 36 30 40 41 42 42 41 40 41 42 illustrates an embodiment of a trayto be positioned (e.g., removably or permanently positioned) within the railand/or the leaf railfor the expandable gaming table. Specifically, the traymay be positioned within any of the channel(s)of the rail. The traymay include a bodyand a plurality of cavities or cups. In some embodiments, the plurality of cupsare defined by a separate piece which is placed within the bodyof the tray. In some embodiments, the bodydefines the plurality of cups.

41 36 40 30 41 36 30 40 40 36 36 40 40 30 45 36 30 37 9 FIG. A portion of the bodymay be positioned within the channel(s)to attach the trayto the rail. For example, the bodymay include a tab or projection (not illustrated) that is sized and shaped to mate with the channel(s)of the rail. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the traymay include bearings or wheels to facilitate sliding of the traywithin the channel(s). In some embodiments, the channel(s)may include a receiver (a snap, clip, fastener, etc.) which receives a portion of the trayto thereby attach the trayto the rail. The accessoryillustrated inmay be similarly positionable and moveable within a channel, or groove,of the railand/or the leaf rail.

40 45 30 40 45 36 40 45 30 100 40 42 40 30 42 Regardless of how the trayor the accessoryis attached to the rail, the trayand the accessoryare slidable within the channel. In this way, the trayand the accessorycan be moved to various positions about the railand the table. For example, the traymay be positioned in front of a first player, who may take their turn such as by rolling dice within one of the cups. After the first player has taken their turn, the traymay be slid along the railto a position in front of a second player, who may then take their turn. The plurality of cupsmay be for rolling dice or facilitating other game play for various players.

40 40 42 41 The traymay be constructed of any appropriate material For example, the traymay be constructed from wood, carbon fiber, plastic, acrylic, thermoplastics, and/or combinations thereof. The plurality of cupsmay be of a first material (e.g., plastic, etc.) and the bodymay be of a second material (e.g., wood).

9 FIG. 300 300 305 300 310 300 37 18 315 31 32 10 18 19 10 37 31 32 is a flowchart of an example methodaccording to the present disclosure. The methodmay include disconnecting a first half of a tabletop from a second half of a tabletop, at. The methodmay also include inserting a leaf between the first half and the second half, at. Additionally, the methodmay include connecting a leaf railof the leafto a first portion of a rail and a second portion of the rail, at, with the first portion of the railbeing disposed on the first half and the second portion of the railbeing disposed on the second half of the tabletop. The leafmay be inserted between the first and second halves, such that a top surface of the leafis flush and continuous with a top surface of the first and second halves. Additionally, the leaf railmay be flush and continuous with the first portionand the second portionof the rail.

18 18 52 10 It will be appreciated that a plurality of leavesmay be used to put the table in a second, expanded configuration, or a single leafmay be used. In an expanded configuration additional table toppersmay be utilized to cover the entire tabletopif desired by a user.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It should also be noted that some of the embodiments disclosed herein may have been disclosed in relation to particular gaming equipment (e.g., a table); however, other equipment (e.g., a mat, a bench, a worktable, etc.) are also contemplated.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments of the present disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed separately or in combination. Accordingly, all additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced thereby. The scope of each claim is indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.