Electronic table tennis game apparatus

#A. Field of the Invention

#The invention relates generally to player response games and more particularly to game apparatus providing the direction of light beams toward one or more game players and a reflection of light beams by the players by means of hand held light reflecting paddles.

#B. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hand held paddle used by the players in the game of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a top plan of the game apparatus of FIG. 1 and showing the locations of the players relative to the light beams directed to each player;

#Referring now to the drawings, the game apparatus of the present invention comprises a central housing indicated generally at 20 which is arranged to be placed at table height between two opposing player stations identified as player A and player B. Within the housing 20 there is provided means for directing a light beam of relatively short duration to either the forehand or backhand side of each player station. Thus, the housing 20 contains a first light generating means indicated generally at 22 which is arranged to direct a light beam indicated at 24 which extends outwardly from the housing 20 on the forehand side of player A. Similarly, a light source 26 also positioned within the housing 20 is arranged to direct the light beam 28 outwardly from the housing 20 on the backhand side of the player A station. Similar light sources within the housing 20 are also arranged to direct the light beams 30 and 32 to the forehand or backhand side, respectively, of the player B station. Preferably, each of these light sources comprises a light bulb 34 and parabolic reflector 36, the light bulb 34 being of the PAR type in which the filament is positioned relative to the parabolic reflector 36 so that a well defined, tight, light beam 24 is projected through the oval shaped cover 38. Each light source, such as the light source 22 is preferably mounted on the rear wall 40 of an outwardly directed recess 42 in the housing 20 so that the light sources which are visible to one of the players are not also visible to the opposite player. A similar recess 44 is provided in the housing 20 for the light source 26 and the recesses 46 and 48 are provided for the forehand and backhand light beam sources, respectively, of the player B station. The light beams 24, 28, etc. are preferably shaped so that they have a width of a foot or so at a distance of one or two feet from the housing 20.

#During normal play of the game, the players stand a foot or two away from housing 20 and each player is provided with a hand held paddle 50 (FIG. 2) which is provided with a light diffusing surface 52 on either side thereof. If, for example, the light beam 24 is projected out of the housing 20 on the forehand side of player A, he may move his paddle 50 so as to intercept the light beam 24 and reflect some of the light from this beam back to the housing 20. A light sensitive detector 54 is provided within the housing 20 which communicates with the recesses 42 and 44 via the tubes 56 and 58, respectively through an air space or a lens such as the spherical lens 55 which directs the beam to the detector 54. Accordingly, when light from the beam 24 is reflected off player A's paddle back to the housing 20 some of this light strikes the photodetector 54, thus signifying that player A has intercepted the beam 24. In a similar manner if the light beam 28 is directed to player A's backhand he may also intercept the beam 28 with his paddle and reflect some of the light thereof back through the tube 58 to the photodetector 54 so that an indication is provided that the beam 28 has been intercepted by player A. A similar photodetector 54a (FIG. 5) is also provided in the housing 20 to receive light reflected back to the housing from either of the beams 30, 32 at player B's station when player B intercepts either of these beams.

#Preferably, the light diffusing surface 52 on either side of the paddle 50 comprises light reflective tape, of the type manufactured by Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. which is used on bicycles and roadside signs, this tape incorporating light reflecting granules whicn reflect light in all directions from the surface of the paddle 50. With such a light diffusing surface, some light is reflected back to the light detector 54 irrespective of the exact angle at which the player intercepts the beam with his paddle. If the light reflective surface of the paddle 50 is not light diffusing, it would be extremely difficult for the player to position his paddle at exactly the right angle to reflect light back to the photodetector 54 during the brief duration of the light beam 24. However, it will be understood that any suitable type of light diffusing or reflecting surface can be used for the paddles 50 provided sufficient light is reflected back to the photodetector 54 to provide an indication when a player intercepts one of the light beams.