Abstract
A pocket billiards racking device for one or more game configurations. The rack shows a practical, functional, useful and simplified improvement. The design improvements shows a conventional equilateral triangle rack, showcasing a novel set of positional “fences” (i.e., Gates). The Gates, or Fences, incorporated, inset and hinge-pin within the triangular rack, simplifying the setup of the games and streamlining its design.
Claims
1. A pocket billiards rack for use in games having different number of balls comprising; an equilateral triangle having first and second sidewalls and an end wall; first and second longitudinal openings formed within and between an upper and a lower surface of said first and second sidewalls respectively; first and second gates supported within said first and second openings, said first and second gates frictionally held within said first and second openings; first and second hinge pins secured within the first and second longitudinal openings and between the upper and lower sides of the first and second sidewalls, said first and second hinge pins pivotally support and move said first and second gates in position; said first and second walls have sufficient thickness in order to receive and pivotally support said first and second hinge pins and said first and second gates therebetween; and wherein when racking fifteen balls, said first and second gates are placed within the first and second openings, and when racking nine balls, said first and second gates are pivotally moved such that the free-end of the first and second gates frictionally engage the end wall of said billiard rack.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing my improved pool ball rack with the Fences (i.e., Gates) in the open position, containing 9 pool balls (which are not part of the invention).
(2) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of FIG. 1 showing an apex of the racking device with said fences in the closed, said straight pool position.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view (showing Side A) of FIG. 1 showing the said fences in said open position, containing 9 pool balls (which are not part of the present invention).
(4) FIG. 4 is a side “projection” view (showing Side B) of FIG. 1.
(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of said invention, FIG. 1, highlighting Side C, with aforementioned fences in the final, open position.
(6) FIG. 5A is a perspective view thereof, showing Side A of said invention.
(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of said invention, highlighting aforementioned Side A with said fences in the closed position.
(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof showing said fences partially rotated.
(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view thereof showing said fences in the aforementioned open and final position containing 9 pool balls (which are not part of the invention).
(10) FIG. 9 is a plan view of said invention showing the fences (or gates) in the straight pool (or 8-ball, 10-ball) said closed position, also showing 15 pool balls (which are not part of the invention)
(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view thereof, highlighting Side A, showing the said fences closed and in the straight pool (8-ball, 10-ball) configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(12) Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views, and is the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the present invention which consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
(13) FIGS. 1-4 show a plan, elevation, right Side A and projection views respectively of the improved, useful present invention. Said rack 1 includes an equilateral triangular frame 1A having an apex 3 and three equal and upstanding walls (sides), including walls Side A, Side B and rear wall Side C. Said three walls of frame 1A are joined together at the apex (or machined or cast molded as one piece) with smoothly rounded outside and inside corners. Said inside corners conform closely to a standard pool ball, that is 2¼ inches in diameter.
(14) As best shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, & 7 respectively, the improved pool ball rack 1 includes two equal length spaces 2 cut, machined or molded through Side A and Side B, thus providing a hole, as described. Said spaces through said sides start in close proximity to apex 3, continuing within Side A and Side B to approximately the halfway point of each of the two said sides and at a physical cutout size as to snuggly accommodate said fences 4 and 5.
(15) As shown in all figures aforementioned, said hinge pins 6 and 6A are located vertically through the respective ends of the fences 4 and 5 and also fit through Side A and Side B on the same centerlines as to form rotating members (fences) 4 and 5. Shown specifically in FIG. 7, the fences (gates) are partially rotated, but not yet in final open position. Open positions are shown nicely in FIGS. 1, 5, and 5A. When the fences are in said closed position, illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10, the fences (i.e., gates) 4 and 5 can be rotated one at a time approximately 120 degrees at which point the unhinged ends of said fences will contact Side C, forming a diamond-shaped space, FIGS. 1, 5, 5A and 8, making it practical and functional to rack for a 9-ball game.
(16) FIGS. 6, 9 and 10 show the fences 4 and 5 in the closed orientation, allowing a maximum of fifteen, 2¼ inch standard pool balls to be racked for various other pocket billiard games to be played. As best shown and visually explained in FIGS. 2 and 8, the present invention, frame 1 is slightly vertically thicker (taller) than any typical equilateral triangle rack. Frame 1 is thicker solely for the purpose of designing (providing) heavier (taller) and more robust fences 4 and 5 to better rack the balls in said open position. The vertically thicker said frame 1 will be stronger and allow a “taller” space, or cutout) to accommodate the snuggly-or tightly-fit (i.e., inherently creates friction fit) fence pieces 4 & 5, and the said hinge pins 6 and 6A respectively.
