THE MASONIC RACK

Abstract

A device which is capable of tightly organizing billiard balls into a diamond or triangle pattern of various sizes. The inventive device consists of two sides which are fastened together in a fixed sixty degree position and a floating third side. The two fixed sides and the floating third side are interlaced which allows the third side to move freely along a plane. The interlacing ceases at the ends of the fixed sides which prevents the floating third side from breaking free from the fixed sides. When laid flat on a billiards table the floating third side can be used to firmly press the billiard balls together into a desired pattern. The floating third side swivels from a center bolt, and can be locked into position by a pin or latching mechanism. In one position the device can organize the billiard balls into a triangle pattern of various sizes. In another position the device can organize the billiard balls into a diamond pattern of various sizes. An accurate angle for the diamond pattern of balls is achieved by protruding arms which emerge from the back of the floating third side. When the floating third side articulates the arms join. Once merged, the arms can be locked into position by pin or latching mechanism. In the case of a pin, the same pin can be used to lock the floating third side straight so it can be used to make the triangle pattern.

Claims

1. A billiard ball rack comprised of two fixed sides and a hinged third side.

2. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby the fixed side forms a sixty degree angle.

3. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby the fixed side has slots running lengthwise down each side so as to hold the hinged side on a plane but still allow it some degree of movement.

4. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby a hinged side is allowed movement so as to press the billiard balls forward in a tight formation.

5. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby a hinged side can maintain a straight angle or articulated angle.

6. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby a hinged side can maintain different angles through the use of a pin or latching mechanism.

7. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby the components are constructed of any hard material, including but not limited to plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, or any composite materials.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the present invention creating a triangle formation of billiard balls.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the present invention creating a smaller triangle formation of billiard balls.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an overhead view of the present invention showing the articulating third side which allows for the creation of a diamond formation of billiard balls

[0018] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective from behind showing the present invention in the triangle formation.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective from behind showing the present invention's articulating third side allowing for the creation of a diamond formation of billiard balls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1.) Overview of the Invention

[0020] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which reference characters denote similar elements in the several views of the drawing. FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a billiard ball racking system which is comprised of two chief components. The first is 2 a slotted fixed arrangement of two sides of a triangle which trap the second component, 9 a hinged third side into a level plane where it can move freely until constricted by 6 the raised tabs attached to its extremities. Through the use of 3 a center bolt, the 9 third side can articulate once the 4 pin is removed from it. The 4 removeable pin can be replaced in 16 the protruding arm pin slot to fix 9 the floating third side into an articulated angle which can be used to create a diamond formation.

2.) Two Fixed Sides of the Rack

[0021] One of the chief components of the present invention is 2 two sides which are fixed together to form a sixty degree angle. Less then halfway from the fixed point of the two sides a 14 slot opens up running lengthwise down the fixed sides which the 9 floating third side passes through. The nature of this slot in conforming with the rectangular shape of the fixed sides traps the 5 recessed area of the 9 floating third side so that it can only move on a plane which is level to the surface supporting the rack. At the extremities of 2 the fixed sides the 14 slot ceases to exist and the sides are capped by 15 a piece of material which reinforces the design. When combined with the 6 raised tabs, this 15 cap prevents the 9 floating third side from releasing from 2 the two fixed sides.

3.) Hinged Third Side of the Rack

[0022] The second chief component of the present invention is 9 the hinged floating third side. The 9 hinged floating third side is comprised of two pieces which are attached together, but not fixed together, by 3 a center bolt.

[0023] A 4 removeable pin is what fixes the shape of 9 the floating third side into a straight angle or an articulated angle. When 4 the removeable pin is placed into 11 the recessed slot of 13 the raised area of the 9 hinged third side, the two pieces are held together to form a straight angle provided that the pin passes through 12 the pin hole in the elongated piece running from the other side of the hinge. When the 4 removeable pin is released from this 11 slot the 9 floating third side is allowed to articulate. If the 4 removeable pin is replaced to where it passes through the holes 10 and 16 of the protruding arms 7 and 8, then the 9 floating third side will be fixed at a sixty degree angle as it faces the 1 billiard balls.

[0024] The two pieces of the 9 hinged third side of the rack are accented by protruding arms 7 and 8. When the 4 removeable pin is released from its 11 slot the two pieces articulate from the 3 center bolt. When the articulation reaches sixty degrees on the interior side facing the 1 billiard balls the protruding arms 7 and 8 will converge so that the 4 removeable pin can be inserted through holes 10 and 16.

[0025] All components of the present invention can be manufactured from any material so long as it can withstand the pressure of the billiard balls during the racking process. This includes but is not limited to metal, wood, plastic, graphene, carbon fiber or any composite materials or any combination thereof.