US20120205865A1 - Support device for slidable shafts of table soccer games - Google Patents
Support device for slidable shafts of table soccer games Download PDFInfo
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- US20120205865A1 US20120205865A1 US13/500,112 US201013500112A US2012205865A1 US 20120205865 A1 US20120205865 A1 US 20120205865A1 US 201013500112 A US201013500112 A US 201013500112A US 2012205865 A1 US2012205865 A1 US 2012205865A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- rod
- frame
- seat
- axis
- slidable
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- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/06—Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football
- A63F7/0672—Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football with play figures fixed to a rotatable and longitudinally movable shaft
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
- F16C29/04—Ball or roller bearings
- F16C29/045—Ball or roller bearings having rolling elements journaled in one of the moving parts
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2316/00—Apparatus in health or amusement
- F16C2316/30—Articles for sports, games and amusement, e.g. roller skates, toys
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
- Sliding-Contact Bearings (AREA)
Abstract
Support device for slidable shafts or rods of table soccer games, including a frame in which a seat is formed for the passage of a rod slidable along its axis, and at least one pulley or wheel, provided with race and rim, respectively, and rotatably associated with the frame so that the race or rim defines a portion of the seat, the remaining seat portion being closed by the frame.
Description
- The present invention relates to a support device for slidable shafts or rods of table soccer (or football) games.
- More precisely, the invention relates to a support device for the rods of table soccer games, which rods, as known, are capable of axially sliding along a direction parallel to their longitudinal axis and of rotating about such axis, even at the same time.
- As known, a table soccer game includes a plurality of slidable rods, typically two pairs for each player or playing team, on which the blocks reproducing the player figures are mounted.
- In some cases, the slidable rods transversally cross the whole game space and slide within fixed supports housed in the opposite walls of the two lateral flanks or sides of the table, from which sides the rods project.
- In other cases, the rods are divided into two telescopic parts, of which only one is slidably supported on a lateral table side, while the other one is rigidly secured to the wall of the opposite side and acts as a guide for the first part.
- In both cases, the rods or the parts thereof that are to axially slide relative to the table side need to be adequately supported, so as to allow the sliding and at the same time the rotation of the rod relative to the support.
- Examples of known embodiments of table soccer games are disclosed in GB 394582, U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,851 and U.S. 2008/0197564.
- One of the problems encountered in manufacturing table soccer games is how to make easy and smooth (i.e. such that the rods do not stick) the sliding and simultaneous rotation of the rods. Actually, it is known that the sharp and violent movements imparted by the players to the rods often cause annoying sticking phenomena.
- For such reason, the slidable rods are generally supported by bushings associated with the side walls of the table.
- FR 1.146.898 discloses a table football game having slidable rods in which the conventional bushings have been replaced by a pair of rotating pulleys between which the slidable rod is inserted. The two pulleys are mounted with parallel axes, arranged on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal rod axis, which substantially coincides with the sliding direction of the same rod. The pulleys are mounted between a pair of plates that are housed in the side walls of the game table.
- This arrangement has advantages over the conventional systems equipped with bushings, since the rotating pulleys make the longitudinal sliding and the rotation of the rod gentler. However, it is clearly apparent that the above arrangement requires that the pulleys are perfectly aligned, with consequent greater manufacturing difficulty ad cost increase. Moreover, because of the above need for a very precise alignment, the above arrangement is not suitable for making decomposable supports allowing introducing the rod transversally to the sliding direction. For that reason, the rods are to be axially introduced between the pulleys, and this entails the need to remove the handle or the player figures when already present on the rod.
- A further drawback of such an arrangement comprising two pulleys is related to the great transversal extension of the device, which in the whole substantially corresponds to the sum of the pulley diameters and the rod diameter.
- In the known embodiments, moreover, as the game is used, the smoothness of the rod movement decreases as the transversal forces incident on the rod increase due to the arising of clearances caused by the imperfect pulley alignment, which alignment, as stated before, is difficult to be obtained.
- Therefore, the known devices are not sufficiently effective in maintaining the properties of smooth sliding and rotation constant in all conditions of use of a table soccer game.
- Another problem encountered in manufacturing a table football game is related to the difficulty of associating the slidable rod supports with the sides of the game table. Generally, the supports are inserted into suitable seats formed in the sides. Due to the considerable efforts it has to withstand, the support, if it is not firmly secured, tends to produce clearances with respect to the seat housing it, with consequent risks of breakage.
- It is the main object of the invention to provide a support device for the slidable rods of table soccer games, which does not suffer from the drawbacks of the prior art and which allows obtaining the gentle and smooth sliding and rotation of the rod relative to the support in all typical conditions of use of the game.
- It is another object of the invention to provide a support device of the above kind, which is easy to be mounted and is stable when housed within the sides of the soccer game table.
- It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the above kind, which has a simple construction and therefore is suitable for being industrially manufactured on a large scale and with limited costs.
- The above and other objects are attained by means of the support device as claimed in the appended claims.
- Advantageously, the invention attains the above objects by combining the advantages deriving from the provision, in the frame of the support device, of a rotating member and a stationary abutment and slide surface.
- Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it exploits the rolling friction in the zone where the rod rests, i.e. the lower zone when the device is mounted, and the sliding friction only when the rod interferes with the abutment and slide area, which is located above the rod when the device is mounted.
- Such an arrangement is also advantageous in that it allows making the manufacture of the device simpler and therefore less expensive.
- Moreover, the above arrangement allows reducing the transversal size of the device, i.e. the vertical size when the device is mounted, since the stationary area can be made even with a very thin thickness.
- According to a peculiar aspect of the invention, the abutment and slide area extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slidable rod over a significantly greater length than that of the contact area between the slidable rod and the rotating member, measured along the same direction. Such an arrangement allows solving the problem of how to reduce the tendency to the creation of clearances in the known devices equipped with two pulleys between which the slidable rod passes.
- In a further aspect of the invention, the abutment and slide area is defined in correspondence of a part made of a material with low friction coefficient, applied onto the frame.
- According to a further aspect of the invention, the abutment and slide area is obtained by polishing a corresponding frame portion.
- A further, but not the last, advantage of some particular embodiments of the invention is related to the possibility of firmly associating the frame into the structure belonging to the system where the device is incorporated, for instance into the walls of a soccer game table.
- Some preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of non limiting examples, are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the frame, taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating member, in a first embodiment of the device; -
FIGS. 2A to 2D are front views of the rotating member, in an equal number of embodiments -
FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views of the frame, taken along a plane perpendicular to the sliding direction of the rod, in a second and a third embodiment of the device; -
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the device in a fourth embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a soccer game table incorporating the device shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIGS. 7A and 7B show the front and the back face, respectively, of the fastening ring nut according to a second embodiment thereof; -
FIGS. 7C and 7D are a side sectional view and a front view, respectively, of the first portion of the fastening ring nut shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B ; -
FIGS. 7E and 7F are a side sectional view and a front view, respectively, of the second portion of the fastening ring nut shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B ; -
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the device in a fifth embodiment; -
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the ring nut shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the central body of the frame shown inFIG. 8 , in a variant embodiment; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the support device according to the invention. - The same numerical references have been used in all Figures for identifying equal or functionally equivalent components.
- The Figures further show the device in the preferred mounting and use orientation, i.e. with the rotating member and the stationary piece below and above the rod, respectively.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is shown a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device according to the invention has been generally denoted byreference numeral 11, and it includes a supportingframe 13 in which alongitudinal seat 15 is defined for the passage of rod AS, slidable in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. - According to the invention,
frame 13 may be a separate unit or it may be integrated into a more complex structure into whichdevice 11 is incorporated, and moreover it may comprise a single piece or separate pieces that can be associated with one another. - A
first portion 21 a of seat 15 (lower portion in the Figure) is defined by the peripheral rotating surface of a rotating member associated withframe 13. - In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said rotating member comprises a
pulley 17 having acorresponding race 19 and rotatably associated withframe 13 by means of ashaft 25, arranged with its axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of rod AS, i.e. transversally arranged with respect to frame 13. - The curvature and the depth of
race 19 ofpulley 17 can be chosen depending on the applications and the cross section of rod AS.Pulley 17 could even have no race, whereby it is equivalent to a corresponding wheel having a flat rim. - Always according to the invention, slidable rod AS is in contact with said at least one wheel or
pulley 19 at least at one point or along a line with a different shape depending on the race or rim profile and the rod cross section. - A
second portion 21 b of seat 15 (upper portion in the Figure), located substantially on the diametrically opposite side of rod AS with respect to thefirst portion 21 a, is on the contrary defined by apiece 41, stationary relative to the frame, which forms an abutment andslide area 41 a for rod AS. - According to the invention,
piece 41 may be integrated intoframe 13 or it may be a separate piece joined withframe 13 by known means, for instance an adhesive. For instance,piece 41 may comprise an element made of plastics, e.g. polypropylene or polystyrene. Moreover,area 41 a may be obtained by polishingpiece 41. - According to the invention, rod AS is housed within
seat 15 in a condition of almost total absence of radial clearance, with reference to the longitudinal axis of rod AS. Namely, rod AS is freely slidable along a direction parallel to its axis while being simultaneously rotatable about the axis itself, but it is substantially prevented bypulley 17 andpiece 41 from displacing inseat 15 in a direction perpendicular to said axis, apart from clearances of the order of some tenths of millimetre, for instance 1 to 3 tenths of millimetre. Such a minimum radial clearance causes the absence of interference between rod AS andarea 41 a when the device is mounted as shown in the Figure and the rod is resting againstpulley 17. In use, the rod is quickly manoeuvred to cause the movement of the player figures and can periodically interfere witharea 41 a of the stationary piece. - Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, abutment and
slide area 41 a extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of rod AS over a length “d2” significantly greater than length “d1” of the contact area between rod AS and the rotating member, measured along the same direction. Such a length “d2” may preferably be at least 1 mm, and more preferably at least 2-3 mm. - Said
area 41 a is to create a stationary abutment and slide surface for rod AS, opposite the contact area with the rotating member provided inseat 15, i.e. on the opposite side of rod AS. - Advantageously, according to the invention, thanks to such an arrangement, the sliding and rotational movement of rod AS in
seat 15 takes place by rolling friction with respect to the rotating member and with sliding friction with respect to said abutment andslide area 41 a. - Hereinafter, some embodiments of the rotating member will be described.
- Referring to
FIG. 2A , a first embodiment ofpulley 17 is shown. - According to this embodiment,
pulley 17 has arace 19 and is rotatably associated withframe 13 by means of a shaft orpin 25, whose opposite ends are received in two confrontingseats 27 formed inside walls 29 offrame 13. - In the alternative,
pin 25 may also be cantilevered, i.e. only one end thereof is received in aseat 27, whereas the opposite end is free.Pulley 17 can rotate relative to the pin and/or the pin can rotate relative toseats 27. Moreover, bearings may possibly be inserted between the pulley and the pin and/or between the pin and seats 27 inframe 13. - In this embodiment, the
first portion 21 a ofseat 15 has, in a plane perpendicular to the sliding direction of rod AS, a substantially half-circular profile and it is defined byrace 19 that, in this embodiment, has an arc-shaped profile extending over about 120°. - The
second portion 21 b ofseat 15 is defined bystationary piece 41 that, in the illustrated example, comprises a surface with low friction coefficient, which is applied onframe 13 insideseat 15 and defines abutment andslide area 41 a for rod AS.Area 41 a extends transversally to the sliding direction of rod AS over an arc of circumference of about 180° and extends longitudinally over a length “d2” significantly greater than length “d1” of the contact area between rod AS andpulley 17, measured along the same direction. -
Piece 41 has been made with a very reduced thickness, in order to limit the vertical extension offrame 13 and take advantage of the compactness characteristics of the device. - Referring to
FIG. 2B , a second embodiment ofpulley 17 is shown, which differs from the first embodiment in thatpulley 17 is provided, in correspondence with the central line ofrace 19, with at least oneannular groove 31. - Advantageously, thanks to the provision of
annular groove 31, the noise generated by the sliding and the rotation of slidable rod AS, which is in contact with the surface ofrace 19, is considerably reduced. - Referring to
FIG. 2C , a third embodiment ofpulley 17 is shown, which differs from the second embodiment in thatannular groove 31 houses aring 33, which is preferably made of a resilient material, for instance charged neoprene, and is aimed at further reducing the noise due to the sliding of the surface of slidable rod AS on the surface ofrace 19 during the sliding and the rotation of rod AS. - Referring to
FIG. 2D , a fourth embodiment ofpulley 17 is shown, which differs from the first embodiment in that the pulley and thecorresponding race 19 are defined by twoparallel wheels wheels transverse shaft 25. However, it is possible to envisage that each wheel is supported by its own shaft and that consequently each wheel can rotate independently of the other. Moreover, in the example illustrated, saidwheels annular groove 31, which possibly may house aring 33. However, it is possible to envisage thatwheels - According to the invention,
frame 13 may be associated with the fixed structure of a soccer game table, for instance with the sides defining the game space, by integrated or separate means. - Hereinafter, some embodiments of such means will be described.
- Referring to
FIG. 3 , a second embodiment ofdevice 11 is shown, in whichframe 13 may be associated with the fixed structure of a soccer game table by integrated means. - According to this embodiment,
device 11 includes aframe 13 in which aseat 15 for the passage of a slidable rod AS is defined.Frame 13 has also defined therein aseat 23 for apulley 17 provided with arace 19 and rotatably associated withframe 13, so that saidrace 19 defines a portion of saidseat 15 and the pulley axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of said rod. -
Pulley 17 is rotatably associated withframe 13 by atransverse shaft 25 whose opposite ends are housed in two confrontingseats 27, formed inlateral walls 29 offrame 13. - In this embodiment,
frame 13 is made as a transversally elongated (i.e. vertically elongated in the Figure) and closed annular ring, having a base 35 extending parallel to the axis ofshaft 25 and provided withholes 37, with axes perpendicular to the axis of rod AS, for fasteningframe 13 to a support structure of the game table, for instance to the lateral side. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , a third embodiment of the device is shown, which differs from the first embodiment in thatframe 13 is made as a closed annular ring, having on its periphery a plurality ofholes 39, four in the example illustrated, with axes parallel to the axis of rod AS, for fasteningframe 13 to a support structure. - In both such embodiments,
seat 15 is surrounded byframe 13 and has a substantially circular profile delimited in part by the body offrame 13 in which abutment andslide area 41 a is defined, and in part byrace 19 of the rotating member orpulley 17. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the invention is shown in whichframe 13 includes two axially retainingring nuts 47, between whichcentral body 13 a offrame 13 is blocked. In this embodiment,central body 13 a offrame 13 is open at one side (upwards in the Figure) and consequentlyseat 15 in which rod AS slides is open in order to allow inserting rod AS through a movement in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of rod AS inseat 15. Saidring nuts 47 are intended to abut against the opposite faces of a wall of a support structure, for instance the side of the soccer game table, in whichcentral body 13 a offrame 13 is housed.Ring nuts 47 are also provided with ahole 49 through which slidable rod AS passes. Moreover,ring nuts 47 are provided with arc-shapedprotrusions 51, crescent like in the example illustrated, and withfastening pins 53 that are bored to allow the passage of fastening screws. Saidprotrusions 51 and saidpins 53 are aimed at firmly retainingring nuts 47 against the opposite faces of the wall of the support structure, by blockingcentral body 13 a offrame 13 between them. One of saidring nuts 47, or both, may even be rigidly connected to or integrated intocentral body 13 a. - According to this embodiment, the
second portion 21 b ofseat 15 is defined in correspondence ofholes 49 inring nuts 47, and length “d2” ofarea 41 a is substantially equivalent to the longitudinal extension ofholes 49, corresponding in turn to the thickness of ring nuts 47. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , there is shown a soccer game table 101 including agame space 103 defined downwards by abase 105 and laterally bylateral sides 107. Slidable rods AS carrying player figures 109 and equipped withhandles 111 are slidably (arrows F1) and rotatably (arrows F2) associated withwalls 113 of said lateral sides 107. - Rods AS are associated with
walls 113 with the interposition of a support device 11 (one for each side) made in accordance with the embodiment shown inFIG. 5 . According to this arrangement,frame 13 of eachdevice 11 is housed inwall 113 inside athroughhole 115 and is firmly retained in the hole thanks to ring nuts 47 secured to the opposite faces ofwall 113 by crescent-likeannular protrusions 51 and by fastening pins 53. - Referring to
FIGS. 7A to 7F , there is shown a second embodiment of axially retaining ring nut, here denoted byreference numeral 47′.Ring nut 47′ is made of twoportions 47 ′a, 47 ′b, partially overlapping when assembled and separable so as to clear a portion ofhole 49 for allowing the insertion of slidable rod AS in radial direction. According to this embodiment, thefirst portion 47 ′a has an angular extension of about 270° and has anopening 55 of about 90° that is closed by thesecond portion 47 ′b, which correspondingly has an angular extension of about 90°.Pins 57 and correspondingseats 59 are provided in bothportions 47 ′a, 47 ′b at the respective overlapping ends 61 a, 61 b, in order to keepring nut 47′ firmly assembled after rod AS has been inserted intohole 49. - Moreover,
ring nut 47′ may haveprotrusions 63 intended to penetrate intocentral body 13 a offrame 13 in order to firmly keep saidbody 13 in the proper position, thereby preventing axial or lateral displacements or rotations. Moreover, saidprotrusions 63 may be replaced by corresponding recesses in which protrusions associated withframe 13 are received. If necessary, means for fastening the ring nuts, such as screws or an adhesive, can be provided. - Referring to
FIGS. 8 and 9 , a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown, in whichframe 13 includes two axially retainingring nuts 47″, between whichcentral body 13 a offrame 13 is blocked. In this embodiment,central body 13 a offrame 13 has annular shape and surroundsseat 15 in which slidable rod AS slides. Rod AS can therefore be inserted intoseat 15 only through a movement parallel to the sliding direction of the rod inseat 15. Saidring nuts 47″ are intended to engage the opposite faces of the wall of a support structure in which the body offrame 13 is housed, forinstance side 113 of the soccer game table shown inFIG. 6 .Ring nuts 47″ are provided with ahole 49 through which rod AS passes, and withpossible protrusions 63 penetrating into correspondingholes 65 inframe 13,Protrusions 63 are intended to firmly keepcentral body 13 a offrame 13 in the proper position, thereby preventing axial or lateral displacements or rotations. Screws, not shown, passing throughprotrusions 63 can be provided in order to fastenring nuts 47″ together. In the example illustrated, the central body offrame 13 has a rectangular or square cross section so that it can be introduced into a hole of complementary shape provided in the side (shown at 113 inFIG. 6 ) of the soccer game table, which hole further prevents the body rotation.Ring nuts 47″ packed against opposite external walls ofside 113block frame 13 inside 113 and preventcentral body 13 a from axially sliding out of its seat provided inside 113. One of saidring nuts 47″ or both may even be rigidly connected to or integrated intocentral body 13 a. - As it can better be seen in
FIG. 9 ,ring nut 47″ is made of twoportions 47 ″a, 47 ″b, partially overlapping when associated together and separable so as to clear a portion ofhole 49 for allowing the insertion of rod AS in radial direction. According to this embodiment, thefirst portion 47 ″a has anopening 55″ that is closed by thesecond portion 47 ″b.Pins 57 and correspondingholes 59 are provided inportions 47 ″a, 47 ″b, respectively, in order to keep both ring nut portions firmly assembled and mutually centred after rod AS has been inserted intohole 49. - Referring to
FIG. 10 , a variant embodiment offrame 13 is shown, in whichcentral body 13 a offrame 13 comprises twoportions 13 ′a, 13 ′b that may be associated together in order to closeseat 15 after insertion of rod AS, which advantageously can also take place according to a transversal approaching movement. In particular,portion 13 ′a includesseats 27 forpin 25 rotatably supportingpulley 17, andportion 13 ′b defines abutment andslide area 41 a.Protrusions 67 provided inportion 13 ′b andcomplementary seats 69 provided inportion 13 ′a and intended to receiveprotrusions 67 allowportions 13 ′a, 13 ′b to be assembled and mutually centred. The solution illustrated is particularly advantageous when taken in conjunction with two-part ring nuts 47″, in that it allows inserting intoframe 13 rods AS already equipped with blocks reproducing the player figures and the handle. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown, applied to telescopic rods of which only one, AS1, carrying the player figures 109, is slidably supported relative to a first lateral side 113 a of the table (the right side in the Figure), whereas the second rod AS2 is rigidly secured to theopposite side 113 b (the left side in the Figure) and acts as a guide for the first rod AS1. - In the example illustrated, rod AS1 is supported relative to side 113 a by a
first device 11 according to the invention. According to this embodiment, there is provided asecond support device 11′, which is associated with rod AS1 in correspondence of the open end into which rod AS2 penetrates. Thissecond device 11′ includes afirst pulley 17′ and possibly asecond pulley 17″, both supported by aframe 13′. - In such an arrangement with telescopic rods, slidable rod AS1, when extended, acts as a lever and the force applied onto
handle 111 during play is generally directed downwards. This force tends to raise the other end of rod AS1, which will rest against the lower part of inner rod AS2, whereas the end of inner rod AS2 located inside rod Al will rest against the upper part inside the latter. At present, in order to avoid the friction arising in such conditions, bushings made of plastics, i.e. elements exploiting the sliding friction, are used. - On the contrary, the invention uses rotating members with rolling friction, namely a first rotating
member 17′ located on the end of rod AS1 in the lower part. Moreover, always with reference to the example illustrated, at least one wheel or ball orpulley 71 is provided, rotatably associated with the end of rod AS2 housed in rod AS1. Said wheel or ball orpulley 71 is aimed at avoiding excessive clearances between rods AS1 and AS2 and at making their mutual sliding gentler. - When rod AS1 is completely inserted onto the second rod AS2, the force applied onto
handle 111 during play is generally directed upwards. This force tends to press the end of rod AS1 downwards against rod AS2, and thus a second rotatingmember 17″ placed on the upper part is advantageous in order to make the sliding of rod AS2 smoother. - Like in the other exemplary application, it is clear that also in this
case support devices - It is clear that the above description has been given only by way of non-limiting example and that further changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (15)
1. A support device for table soccer games comprising a slidable rod, said rod being capable of axially sliding along a direction parallel to its axis and of simultaneously rotating about such axis, the device comprising:
a support frame;
a seat defined in the frame for the passage of the slidable rod in conditions of substantial absence of radial clearances, with reference to the longitudinal rod axis;
a rotating member associated with the frame so that its axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the rod and so as to define, by its rotating surface, a first portion of said seat;
wherein a second portion of the rod seat in the frame, located substantially diametrically opposite the first portion with respect to the rod, is defined by a piece which is stationary relative to the frame, and at least one area of said stationary piece forms a slide abutment for the rod, so that the sliding and rotational movement of the rod in the seat takes place by rolling friction with respect to the rotating member and by sliding friction with respect to said abutment and slide area.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support frame can be associated with the structure of the table soccer game by integrated or separate means.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotating member includes a pulley or a wheel, provided with race and rim, respectively, and wherein said race and rim define the first portion of said seat for the slidable rod in the frame.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the abutment and slide area extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod over a length significantly greater than the length of the contact area between the rod and the rotating member, measured along the same direction.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rod is received within the seat in the frame in a condition of reduced radial clearance, with reference to the longitudinal axis of the rod, namely, the rod is freely slidable along a direction parallel to its axis while being simultaneously rotatable about the axis itself, but it is substantially prevented by the pulley and the stationary piece from displacing in the seat in a direction perpendicular to said axis, apart from a clearance of the order of some tenths of millimeter.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stationary piece of the frame comprises a surface with low friction coefficient applied onto the frame inside the seat and defining the abutment and slide area for the rod.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the abutment and slide area extends transversally to the sliding direction of the rod over an arc of circumference of about 180° and longitudinally over a length significantly greater than the length of the contact area between the rod and the rotating member, measured along the same direction.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the rotating member comprises a pulley (17) provided, in correspondence with the central line of the race (19), with at least one annular groove (31).
9. The device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the annular groove houses a ring aimed at reducing the noise due to the sliding of the surface of the slidable rod on the surface of the race.
10. The device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said ring is made of a resilient material, for instance charged neoprene.
11. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes two axial containment ring nuts intended to engage the wall of a support structure where the central body of the frame is blocked.
12. The device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said ring nuts are provided with a hole for the passage of the rod, with protrusions and with fastening pins.
13. The device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the axial containment ring nut is obtained in two parts, which can be separated to allow the insertion of the rod in a radial direction.
14. The device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the rod seat is defined in correspondence of the holes in the ring nuts, and the length of the abutment and slide area is substantially equivalent to the length of the holes and to the thickness of the ring nuts.
15. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the central body of the frame comprises two portions that may be associated together in order to close the seat of the rod around said rod.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITTO2009A000758A IT1396295B1 (en) | 2009-10-05 | 2009-10-05 | SUPPORT DEVICE FOR SLIDING SHAFTS |
ITTO2009A000758 | 2009-10-05 | ||
PCT/IB2010/054498 WO2011042861A2 (en) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-10-05 | Support device for slidable shafts of table soccer games |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120205865A1 true US20120205865A1 (en) | 2012-08-16 |
Family
ID=42115645
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/500,112 Abandoned US20120205865A1 (en) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-10-05 | Support device for slidable shafts of table soccer games |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120205865A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2485818A2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1396295B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011042861A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2021154264A1 (en) * | 2020-01-30 | 2021-08-05 | Trinity International Industries, L.L.C. | Cooler with game lid |
US11506440B2 (en) | 2019-07-23 | 2022-11-22 | Trinity International Industries, L.L.C. | Cooler with game lid |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3724851A (en) * | 1971-03-01 | 1973-04-03 | C Cecchetti | Table soccer or football game structure |
US4307884A (en) * | 1979-05-07 | 1981-12-29 | Heinz Remmler | Actuating device for the playing figures of a soccer game apparatus |
US4382598A (en) * | 1982-04-02 | 1983-05-10 | Mccloud Calvin E | Rod bearing for table soccer or fussball game structure |
US5071137A (en) * | 1990-12-27 | 1991-12-10 | Mccloud Calvin E | Table soccer game bumper structure |
US5072880A (en) * | 1990-12-27 | 1991-12-17 | Mccloud Calvin E | Sectional rod bearing for fussball game structure |
US5330273A (en) * | 1993-06-24 | 1994-07-19 | Lore Tsai | Support member for holding up rotating rod in soccer table frame |
US5620259A (en) * | 1995-06-03 | 1997-04-15 | Doma Tech Pneumatische Komponenten | Linear Guide |
US6027251A (en) * | 1998-07-14 | 2000-02-22 | Tsai; Lore | Bracing structure of rotary rod |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB394582A (en) | 1931-12-04 | 1933-06-29 | Pierre Tronchet | New or improved device for use in playing a game simulating football |
US2907610A (en) * | 1956-02-01 | 1959-10-06 | Anderson Co | Bearing structure |
FR1146898A (en) * | 1956-03-13 | 1957-11-15 | Living room football game, completed | |
FR1438202A (en) * | 1964-05-22 | 1966-05-13 | Axial guiding device of a cylindrical shaft | |
CH526732A (en) * | 1970-09-15 | 1972-08-15 | Meier Johann | Adjustable bearing |
DE2110740A1 (en) * | 1971-03-06 | 1972-09-14 | Ernst Guenter Kartenberg | Rod guide |
US6464220B1 (en) * | 2001-05-11 | 2002-10-15 | Lore Tsai | Retractable rotating rod for football table |
US7458579B2 (en) | 2007-02-18 | 2008-12-02 | Lore Tsai | Soccer game table |
-
2009
- 2009-10-05 IT ITTO2009A000758A patent/IT1396295B1/en active
-
2010
- 2010-10-05 US US13/500,112 patent/US20120205865A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-10-05 WO PCT/IB2010/054498 patent/WO2011042861A2/en active Application Filing
- 2010-10-05 EP EP10805306A patent/EP2485818A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3724851A (en) * | 1971-03-01 | 1973-04-03 | C Cecchetti | Table soccer or football game structure |
US4307884A (en) * | 1979-05-07 | 1981-12-29 | Heinz Remmler | Actuating device for the playing figures of a soccer game apparatus |
US4382598A (en) * | 1982-04-02 | 1983-05-10 | Mccloud Calvin E | Rod bearing for table soccer or fussball game structure |
US5071137A (en) * | 1990-12-27 | 1991-12-10 | Mccloud Calvin E | Table soccer game bumper structure |
US5072880A (en) * | 1990-12-27 | 1991-12-17 | Mccloud Calvin E | Sectional rod bearing for fussball game structure |
US5330273A (en) * | 1993-06-24 | 1994-07-19 | Lore Tsai | Support member for holding up rotating rod in soccer table frame |
US5620259A (en) * | 1995-06-03 | 1997-04-15 | Doma Tech Pneumatische Komponenten | Linear Guide |
US6027251A (en) * | 1998-07-14 | 2000-02-22 | Tsai; Lore | Bracing structure of rotary rod |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11506440B2 (en) | 2019-07-23 | 2022-11-22 | Trinity International Industries, L.L.C. | Cooler with game lid |
WO2021154264A1 (en) * | 2020-01-30 | 2021-08-05 | Trinity International Industries, L.L.C. | Cooler with game lid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2485818A2 (en) | 2012-08-15 |
ITTO20090758A1 (en) | 2011-04-06 |
WO2011042861A3 (en) | 2011-06-03 |
WO2011042861A2 (en) | 2011-04-14 |
IT1396295B1 (en) | 2012-11-16 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ARTECH S.R.L., ITALY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:COLOMBO, OTTAVIO;COLOMBO, CORRADO;REEL/FRAME:027987/0151 Effective date: 20120323 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |