Hockey game table puck with weighted perimeter
View Patent ↗In preferred embodiments, the game pieces of the present invention concentrate the mass and weight of the game piece away from the center of the game piece and around the periphery. Preferably the center portion of the game piece has a minimum of weight while maintaining the ability of the game piece to function correctly. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a game piece for a simulated hockey game encompasses a peripheral portion which is configured to slide on a simulated hockey game surface and having at least one central portion mounted within the peripheral portion. Optionally, the at least one central portion is made of a material different than the material of the peripheral portion.
1. A game piece for a simulated hockey game, comprising a peripheral portion configured to slide on a simulated hockey game surface and a central portion within said peripheral portion, wherein the majority of the mass of said game piece is in said peripheral portion, wherein said central portion has an outer periphery and said peripheral portion has an inner periphery defining at least one slot, said outer periphery of said central portion being received in said slot to mount said central portion to said peripheral portion, wherein said peripheral portion has an outer periphery and top and bottom flat surfaces extending from said inner periphery of said peripheral portion to said outer periphery of said peripheral portion, said central portion being inset between said top and bottom flat surfaces, and wherein said central portion is made of plastic and said peripheral portion is made of metal.
2. The game piece of claim 1 , wherein approximately ninety percent of the mass of said game piece is in said peripheral portion.
3. The game piece of claim 1 , wherein said inner periphery of said peripheral portion has a diameter at least approximately eighty percent of a diameter of said outer periphery of said peripheral portion.
4. The game piece of claim 1 , wherein said slot has a circular periphery.
5. The game piece of claim 4 , wherein said outer periphery of said peripheral portion is substantially circular.
6. The game piece of claim 4 , wherein said outer periphery of said peripheral portion is substantially square.
7. The game piece of claim 1 , wherein said peripheral portion defines at least two slots in said inner periphery, wherein at least two central portions engage said slots and wherein said at least two central portions are vertically spaced apart in the height of said game piece.
8. The game piece of claim 1 , wherein said central portion is formed of a thin film.
9. A game piece for a simulated hockey game, comprising a peripheral portion configured to slide on a simulated hockey game surface and a central portion within said peripheral portion, wherein the majority of the mass of said game piece is in said peripheral portion, wherein said central portion has an outer periphery mounted to an inner periphery of said peripheral portion, wherein said central portion is made of a material different than the material of said peripheral portion, wherein said peripheral portion has an inner perimeter defining a vertical shelf and wherein said at least one central portion has an outer perimeter abutting said shelf.
10. The game piece of claim 9 , wherein said outer perimeter of said at least one central portion is adhered to said shelf.
11. The game piece of claim 9 , wherein said peripheral portion defines at least one slot in said inner perimeter, and wherein said outer perimeter of said at least one central portion is received in said slot.
12. The game piece of claim 11 , wherein said peripheral portion defines at least two slots in an inner perimeter, wherein said slots are vertically spaced apart, and wherein outer perimeters of at least two central portions are received in said slots.
13. The game piece of claim 12 , wherein said peripheral portion defines at least one shelf between said at least two central portions.
14. The game piece of claim 1 , wherein said peripheral portion defines an opening through the height of said peripheral portion, and a said central portion is mounted to said peripheral portion to substantially close said opening.
15. The game piece of claim 14 , wherein said peripheral portion and said central portion define air wells on top and bottom sides of said game piece.