BILLIARD RACKS

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to billiard racks used to store billiard balls.

BACKGROUND

Billiard tables are tables on which cue sports such as carom billiards, pool, one pocket or a variety of other games can be played. Billiard table games require the use of billiard balls where a cue is used to strike a billiard ball in the hopes of sinking a billiard ball in a pocket. Storage of billiard balls is important to ensure efficiency for billiard table games, especially for commercial gameplay.

For billiard table games like one pocket, where each player is assigned a particular pocket to sink billiard balls into, a rack is helpful for score keeping. This is especially true for billiard tables that are designed with chutes to transfer billiard balls from the pockets placed around the playing surface of a table, to a central location, like a receiving box because the billiard balls can be easily commingled and prevent accurate scoring. For billiard tables without channels that move the billiard balls from the pockets to a central location, having a pair of racks in close proximity to the billiard table is helpful for both score keeping and efficiency of gameplay.

Additionally, proper storage of billiard balls when they are not being used for gameplay is important to preserve the integrity of the billiard balls while still being in proximity to the billiard table to provide easy access. This is especially true for users who own multiple sets of billiard balls and wish to rotate them. Also, this is especially true for users who participate in tournaments or high-volume play of games involving billiard tables. Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments may include a billiard table having support legs and a playing surface where a pair of side rails and end rails surround the playing surface and a plurality of pockets for receiving billiard balls. A pair of racks may be attached to the end rail on either side of a center line perpendicular to the end rail.

The racks may be portioned into defining features such as a support arm and a panel. The panel may be further portioned into multiple sides. The panel may have two shorter sides and two longer sides. The panel may be a rectangular shaped frame. The panel may have crossbars that connect the two longer sides of the panel and form opening slots. The crossbars may be in the same plane as the panel frame.

In some embodiments, the billiard table may include previously mentioned features as well as a pair of racks extending downward from one of the end rails defining a center point on the end rail.

Another embodiment may include a billiard table mentioned in previous embodiments with a system to collect the billiard balls from the pockets in the rails to a receiving box. A receiving box for billiard balls may be mounted at the center point of one of the side or end rails. A pair of racks may be located on the same rail where the receiving box is mounted with each rack on either side of the receiving box.

Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a billiard table with the racks attached.

FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a front view of one of the racks.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the racks.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the racks.

FIG. 6 a side view of one of the racks.

FIG. 7 is a top view of one of the racks.

DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

Directional terms, such as forward, rearward, top, bottom, sides etc., are used in this description with reference to the specific embodiments shown and used for purposes of clarity. It should be recognized that these terms are not meant to be limiting.

The disclosed racks allow a user to store billiard balls while playing games typically played on billiard tables like pool, one pocket or carom billiards. The racks can also be used to sort billiard balls for scoring purposes in games like one pocket. The racks are meant to be used in conjunction with a billiard table, where the racks are attached to a billiard table. The billiard table has a playing surface with rails surrounding the table surface. The rails are distinguished by pairs of end rails and side rails. A plurality of pockets is embedded in the rails of the billiard table. In certain embodiments, the internal structure of the billiard tables may include chutes from the pockets to a central channel. The channel transfers the billiard balls to a receiving box. The receiving box is mounted on the center point of an end rail. The racks are fastened to the same end rail where the receiving box is mounted. Each rack is on either side of the receiving box, or in other words on either side of the center point of the end rail. The racks are shown to be bolted to the table, but can be fastened by other means such as threaded screws. In other embodiments, the two racks and receiving box are attached to a side rail. Further, in other embodiments, a receiving box is not present.

Each rack is constructed with arms and a panel. The arms act as an intermediary between the bracket that attaches to the end rail of the billiard table and the panel. The arms connect with the panel at angle suitable to prevent the billiard balls from falling off the rack. The panel portion is a frame structure configured with slot openings to hold a plurality of billiard balls. The slots are typically constructed and positioned to hold at least two billiard balls per slot.

FIGS. 1-2 show a preferred embodiment of how the racks can be attached to a billiard table. A perspective view of the billiard table is illustrated in FIG. 1. The illustration shows the configuration of the racks 40 on a billiard table 10. The billiard table 10 is comprised of a two side rails 24, two end rails 22, a playing surface 20, legs 26 and a plurality of pockets 30 embedded in the end rails 22 and the side rails 24. The legs 26 support the billiard table 10 and have feet 25 to ensure stabilization. As shown in this embodiment, there are two opposing legs 26 on the billiard table 10. Relative to the forward end rail 22, there is a forward leg and a rearward leg as shown in this perspective. The number of legs 26 is not limiting, for example the billiard table 10 can be comprised of four legs 26 or a central support. The table legs 26 can be constructed using a variety of materials. For example, the table legs 26 can be constructed using solid wood, metal, engineered wood like plywood or a combination of materials.

Each end rail 22 connects to its adjacent side rail 24 and the side rails 24 and end rails 22 surround the playing surface 20, forming a rectangular shaped billiard table 10. The side rails 24 are on opposite sides of the billiard table 10 and the end rails 22 are on opposite ends of the billiard table. The illustration from this perspective shows the side rails 24 having a longer length than the end rails 22 contributing to the rectangular shape they form around the playing surface 20 of the billiard table 10. The side rails 24 and end rails 22 can be constructed using a variety of materials. Some examples include solid wood, plywood, medium density fiberboard and metal.

The playing surface 20 is typically comprised of a slate material that can be a single sheet of slate or multiple pieces of slate fused together to create an even surface. The playing surface 20 can be covered with felt cloth typically made of wool, nylon, polyester or a blend of these materials. A felt covering is used to create a smooth playing surface while generating enough friction for optimal movement of the billiard balls on the playing surface 20.

A center line C-C, along the length, defines the billiard table 10 into two even portions and passes through a center point CP on the forward end rail 22 and through the playing surface to the center point CP on the rearward end rail 22. These portions can be defined as left and right portions. The center line C-C defines the center of the table relative to the length of the end rails 22 as it runs parallel to the side rails 24. Another center line C-V passes vertically through the center point CP on the forward end rail 22 and perpendicular to the forward end rail 22.

As illustrated, the a pair of racks, e.g. two racks 40 are on either side of center line C-C and center line C-V and spaced apart on the end rail 22. A billiard ball receiving box 28 is located at the center point CP on the end rail 22. The racks 40 extend downward on either side of the receiving box 28. The racks 40 may project beyond the end rail 22. The racks 40 can be comprised of a variety of materials. In other embodiments, the two racks 40 and receiving box 28 may be located on one of the side rails 24. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used to construct the racks 40 include metal, wood, or plastic. As illustrated, each rack 40 is a single integrated structure, but in other embodiments, the racks 40 may be modular.

The receiving box 28 receives billiard balls that travel from the pockets for collection. Multiple pockets 30 are embedded in the end rails 22 and side rails 24 of the billiard table 10. In the present embodiment, the pockets 30 are embedded in the four corners of where the end rails 22 and side rails 24 intersect and in the midpoints of the side rails 24. However, this arrangement of the pockets 30 on the billiard table 10 is not a limitation. The pockets 30 can be made of multiple materials, like leather, rubber, or metal frames.

In some embodiments, the billiard table 10 may have internal channels that provide a path for the billiard balls to arrive at the receiving box 28 from the pockets, but this is not a limiting feature of this disclosure. In other embodiments, the billiard balls stay inside the pockets 30 must be manually collected.

FIG. 2 shows a forward view of FIG. 1. The billiard table 10 has the elements of FIG. 1. as previously described. The forward view of the billiard table 10 shows more clearly the positioning of the receiving box 28 relative to the end rails 22 and the racks 40. The receiving box 28 is mounted to the end rail 22 aligned with the center point CP. The receiving box 28 is shown to be mounted below the end rail 22 of the billiard table 10. In this perspective, details of the receiving box 28 are more visible.

This view shows the receiving box 28 can be divided into two portions, an upper portion and a lower portion, where the lower portion can be seen projecting from the receiving box 28 and extending beyond the end rail 22. The receiving box 28 has two openings, where the higher opening is larger than the lower opening. The higher opening is larger to allow a user to retrieve billiard balls from the box. The lower opening is smaller to allow the billiard balls to be visible without them falling out of the box. The shape and configuration of the receiving box 28 is optional and may look different in other embodiments. The receiving box 28 can be constructed using a variety of materials. Non-limiting examples include metal, wood, or plastic. The receiving box 28 can be a single integrated structure or constructed using multiple parts fastened together using various means such as bolts or screws.

A pair of racks 40 are mounted on the forward end rail 22 on either side of the center point CP and on either side of center line C-V. The racks 40 extend downward from the forward end rail 22 and may project forward past said end rail 22. The racks 40, are positioned on either side of the receiving box 28. The racks 40 are configured to each hold multiple billiard balls.

FIG. 3-7 show views of one of the racks 40. The illustration shows that the rack is comprised of two support arms 44, a bracket 42, and a panel 50. The bracket 42 is used to secure the racks 40 to the end rail 22 of the billiard table 10. The racks 40 are shown as a singular integrated unit, but this is not a limited feature. The racks 40 can be modular and assembled through a fastening means. The support arms 44 have two ends where one end attaches to the bracket 42 and the other end attaches to the panel 50.

The support arms 44 are depicted to be straight cylindrical pieces that curve or form a bend towards the panel 50 for connection. The panel 50 may project outward from the support arms 44 and away from the billiard table 10 past the end rails 22 or side rails 24. Having cylindrical tube-like support arms 44 is not limiting. For example, the support arms 44 could have a rectangular tube-like shape, where the cross section of the support arms 44 is a rectangle or a square rather than a circle as depicted. The panel 50 is comprised of a top 52, two sides 56 and a bottom 54 forming a rectangle frame. The top 52 and bottom 54 portions of the panel 50 are longer than the sides 56 of the panel 50.

Crosspieces 58 run parallel to one another and in the same plane at the top portion 52, bottom portion 54, and sides 56 of the panel 50. The crosspieces connect the top portion 52 of the panel 50 to the bottom portion 54 of the panel 50 and form opening slots 60. In some embodiments, the crosspieces may be crossbars. The opening slots 60 have a rectangular shape. The slots 60 have a width less than the diameter of a billiard ball. The slots 60 preferably have a length of at least two billiard balls so that multiple billiard balls can be held in each slot 60. This embodiment shows a rack 40 with four slots 60. The four slots 60 per rack 40 as depicted is not a limiting feature. The invention calls for multiple slots 60 which would mean at least two.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one of the racks 40. This perspective shows the mounting bracket 42 having a flat surface that is used to mount the racks 40 to the end rail 22. The mounting bracket 42 has an L-shape with the longer side being the surface that is fastened to the end rail 22 and the shorter side being connected to the support arms 44. The support arms 44 are straight with a curve at the portion towards the panel 50 that forms a connection to the panel 50. The support arms 44 of the rack 40 and the panel 50 form an L-shaped bend, allowing for a plurality of billiard balls to be placed on the panel 50.

The illustrations show the panel 50 and its previously mentioned elements, top portion 52, bottom portion 54, sides 56 and crosspieces 58 situated in the same plane. The bottom portion 54 of the panel 50 is slightly angled downward towards the floor. The bottom portion 54 of the panel 50 is still angled high enough to prevent billiard balls from falling from the racks 40.

The slots 60 are visible at a perspective view in FIG. 5. The figure shows the elements of the rack 40. The bracket 42 is connected to the top portion of the support arms 44 and the panel 50 is connected to the bottom portion of the support arms 44. The bracket 42 has an L-shape where the top part of the bracket 42 may be positioned on the corner of the end rail 22 or an interior beam.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of one of the racks 40 as described in previous embodiments. The shape and angle of the bracket 42 is not limiting to how the rack can be attached to the end rail 22. For example, the bracket 42 could be a flat surface with a hole or threaded for various means of fastening. Or the bracket 42 could be a Z-shaped bracket 42 to align the racks 40 on the end rails 22.

FIG. 6 shows the support arms 44 and the panel 50 forming an angle θ. A support arm axis S is defined along the length of the support arms 44. A rack axis R is defined by the plane of the panel 50. The angle θ is the angle formed by the connection of the support arms 44 and the panel 50. Angle θ is better understood as the angle that is formed between the axis of the support arms S and the axis of the panels R.

Angle θ is shown to be an obtuse angle that is still narrow enough to allow the billiard balls to be placed on the panel 50 without falling to the ground. In this embodiment the panel 50 is pointed downward towards the floor, but still angled upward enough to prevent the billiard balls from falling. Angle θ in the present embodiment is an obtuse angle, but this is not limiting. In other embodiments, angle θ can be a 90-degree angle where the panel 50 is parallel to the floor.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of one of the racks 40. The top of the bracket 42 is visible in this illustration and the opening 62 is where the bracket 42 is mounted on to the rack. The opening 62 is shown to be a bolt opening, but this is not limiting. In other embodiments, this could be a threaded screw opening, slotted opening or an opening for a grip fastener. The bracket 42 may be made of metal, plastic or some other composite material. The support arms 44 are positioned directly below the bracket 42. The support arms 44 are slightly bent to connect to the panel 50.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected.