Convertible pool-dining table with retractable ball box

In a bumper pool game table structure, including a plurality of playing balls, a generally horizontal table top member and a structure for supporting said top member in operative position, particularly a convertible table structure in which persons may be seated thereat, for dining or other purposes, the combination of said top member having a horizontally extending planar playing surface bounded by upwardly extending peripheral side walls, at the inner sides of which are disposed bumper members defining the operative periphery of the playing area, said playing surface having a plurality of bumper posts disposed thereon in predetermined relation, and having at least one ball-receiving aperture extending through the top member adjacent a peripheral edge of the table, a relatively shallow generally flat tray member, disposed below said aperture, and adapted to retain a plurality of said playing balls of said bumper pool game, said balls being of such a size in relationship to the depth of said tray member that when said balls are retained in said tray member, their upper portions extend above the peripheral edges of the tray member, the latter being supported by said table structure for selective movement from a first generally horizontal position in which said tray member is disposed closely adjacent the underside of said top member, with the laterally outer portion of the tray member disposed directly below the adjacent peripheral side wall of the table top, to a second ball return position, in which balls passing through said aperture will be received in said tray and may move to said laterally outer portion, with the latter portion of the tray member disposed in downwardly spaced relation with respect to the adjacent peripheral side wall of the table top a distance greater than the diameter of the playing balls to provide access between said side wall and the tray member to balls so received in the latter, said adjacent peripheral side wall of the table top having a recess therein opening on and extending upwardly from said underside of said top member, said recess being of a size and configuration and said tray member being so positioned relative thereto and to said underside of said top member such that the upper portions of said balls, when disposed in said laterally outer portion of the tray member, are positioned above said underside of said top member and in said recess when the tray member is in said first position, thus providing storage of said balls in said tray member and said recess whereby said tray member, when in said first position, while disposed adjacent the peripheral edge of the table top, is at a height at which it will not interfere with adequate leg and knee room for occupants seated at the table.