Definitions

• the present invention relates to a rest for a cue, for example, a snooker cue, a billiard cue, or the like, for a game to be played on a playing table in which a cue ball is struck by a cue .
• such cue rests comprise an elongated shaft which terminates in a table engaging member which is rested on the table, and a cue engaging member, typically extending upwardly from the table engaging member for cradling the cue.
• a common variety of cue rest is the cross rest.
• the cue is supported by the cue-engaging portion of the cue rest.
• the cue-engaging portion takes the form of a crosspiece, set perpendicular to the shaft of the cue rest.
• the cue rest is laid upon the playing table with the ends of two of the arms of the crosspiece in contact with the playing surface and the other two arms pointing diagonally upwards. The end of the cue shaft is then supported in the angle created between the two uppermost arms of the crosspiece.
• the present invention is directed towards providing a cue rest that overcomes the above problems.
• a rest for a cue comprising an elongated shaft defining a central longitudinally extending shaft axis, a table engaging means, and an intermediate connecting means connecting the table engaging means with the shaft, the intermediate connecting means being shaped for avoiding an obstruction on the table adjacent a location where the table engaging means is to engage the table.
• the intermediate connecting means extends between two spaced apart ends, one end being connected to the shaft, and the other end being connected to the table engaging means .
• the two ends of the intermediate connecting means are aligned with each other and with the shaft axis.
• the intermediate connecting means comprises an elongated intermediate connecting member extending between the shaft and the table engaging means .
• At least a portion of the intermediate connecting means is spaced apart from the shaft axis.
• at least a portion of the intermediate connecting means is offset from the longitudinal axis by at least about the radius of a ball (of the game) to be struck by the cue, and preferably by at least about the diameter of such a ball.
• the intermediate connecting member is of arcuate shape.
• the intermediate connecting member includes a longitudinally extending member extending parallel to the shaft axis but spaced apart therefrom.
• the intermediate connecting member may be formed by two spaced apart transverse cross members extending transversely of the shaft axis, one of which extends from the shaft and the other from the table engaging member, and the respective transverse cross members joined by a longitudinally extending member which extends parallel to the shaft axis but spaced apart therefrom. At least one of the transverse cross members may be curved.
• the intermediate connecting means may have an arcuate shape .
• the resultant shape may be triangular, with the cross members forming two sides of the triangle and the shaft axis describing the third side of the triangle.
• both cross members are substantially straight and substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis and are joined by a longitudinally extending member spaced apart from the shaft axis
• the resultant shape may be quadrilateral, with the shaft axis describing the fourth side of the quadrilateral.
• the resultant shape may be described as half- bottle shape .
• the intermediate connecting member is of half-bottle shape.
• half-bottle shape we mean shapes such as those of a typical Bordeaux or Burgundy wine bottle silhouette, halved along its central longitudinal axis. In essence, the bottle has a body, which narrows in a shoulder into a thin neck.
• the 'half-bottle shape' may be defined as a short horizontal line set substantially perpendicular to a longer vertical line, with the lines connected to each other at one end, with the vertical line extending into a curved line which terminates in a straight line which is set substantially parallel with the vertical line, and which lies along the axis of a perpendicular line at the other end of the horizontal line.
• This definition which is non-limiting, refers to a bottle standing vertically on a horizontal base.
• the half bottle shape In its disposition on the cue rest, the half bottle shape may be described wherein the short horizontal line of the half bottle is represented by the transverse cross piece extending from the table engaging member substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis.
• the longer vertical line of the half bottle shape is described by the longitudinally extending member of the intermediate connecting means set substantially parallel to the shaft axis.
• the vertical line extending into the curved line that terminates in a straight line, (the shoulder and neck of the bottle) are described by the curved transverse cross piece extending from the shaft.
• Another way of considering the shape is to liken it to a front silhouette of a human head and torso, which has a slim neck region tapering into a shoulder and a body of broader width than the neck.
• a cue engaging means for cradling the cue extends from the table engaging means .
• the table engaging means is adjustably mounted to the intermediate connecting means, and preferably, is pivotally connected to the intermediate connecting means, and ideally is pivoted about the shaft axis.
• a friction connection may be provided between the table engaging member and the intermediate connecting member for facilitating selective orientation of the table engaging member relative to the intermediate connecting member.
• a securing means may be provided which permits incremental pivoting of the table engaging member relative to the intermediate connecting member, and the table engaging member may be releasably secured by a quick release mechanism to the intermediate connecting member in each selected incremental position. Needless to say, any other suitable securing means may be provided.
• selective orientation means to restrain rotational (pivoting) movement of the table engaging member relative to the intermediate connecting means.
• the selective orientation means is also called restraining means herein.
• a rotation restraining means to restrain the rotational movement of the intermediate connecting means relative to the table engaging means.
• the intermediate connecting means is connectable to the table engaging means by an axial bolt which is adapted for engaging with the rotation restraining means .
• the axial bolt may be integrally formed with the intermediate connecting member or the table engaging means or it may be independently formed.
• the table engaging means comprising two legs and the cue engaging means comprising two arms are arranged to form a cruciform structure, the arms defining angles therebetween.
• a cue rest further comprising a cue support.
• the table engaging means comprising two legs and the cue engaging means comprising two arms are arranged to form a cruciform structure such that four angles are formed between the arms, and a cue support is locatable within at least one of the angles of the cruciform structure .
• a cue rest comprising an elongated shaft defining a central longitudinally extending shaft axis connected to a cruciform structure, wherein the cruciform structure comprises a table engaging means comprising two arms and a cue engaging means comprising two arms, wherein the two pairs of arms are arranged to form the cruciform structure, with four angles being formed between the arms, and a cue support is locatable within at least one of the angles of the cruciform structure.
• the cue support is integrally formed with the cruciform structure.
• the cue support is independently formed from the cruciform structure and is adapted to be mounted upon the cruciform structure.
• a cue supporting cradle for a cue adapted to be securably engagable within the angle of a cue rest comprising a cruciform structure such that the cradle supports the cue.
• the cue supporting cradle for a cue is detachably mountable upon the cue rest .
• the intermediate connecting means may be detachable from the shaft, and a kit may be provided comprising a first cue rest of the invention and at least one item selected from the group consisting of; an intermediate connecting means, a cue engaging means, a table engaging means, a cruciform structure, a second shaft, a shaft extension, and a further snooker, pool or billiard cue or cue rest embodiment that may be attached to the shaft or the intermediate connecting member, wherein the at least one additional item is adapted to reversibly engage with at least one feature of the cue rest of the invention.
• the intermediate connecting member may be fashioned from a flexible, bendable or deformable material to permit the user to shape the intermediate connecting member in the desired shape .
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cue rest according to the invention
• Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use
• Fig. 4 is another perspective view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use
• Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use
• Fig. 6 is another end elevational view of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the cue rest of Fig. 1,
• Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cue rest according to the invention.
• Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the cue rest of fig. 8,
• Fig. 10 is a side on view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a cue rest of the present invention.
• Fig. 11 is a perspective exploded view of a portion of a further embodiment of the cue rest of the present invention showing rotation restraining means
• Fig. 12 is a side on exploded view of a portion of the embodiment of Fig. 11, showing rotation restraining means,
• Fig. 13 is a rear view of the intermediate connecting means of the embodiment of the cue rest of Fig. 11 showing the first rotation restraining member
• Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the first rotation restraining member of the embodiment of the cue rest of Fig. 13
• Fig. 15 is a front view of the cruciform structure of the embodiment of the cue rest of Fig. 11 showing the second rotation restraining member
• Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the second rotation restraining member of the embodiment of the cue rest of Fig. 15,
• Fig. 17 is a side on view of one embodiment of an axial bolt for use with various embodiments of the present invention.
• Fig. 18 is a part-sectional side on exploded view of a portion of another embodiment of the cue rest of the present invention, showing rotation restraining means,
• FIG. 19 (a) - (c) rear, side on and front view of one embodiment of an axial bolt for use with various embodiments of the present invention
• Fig. 20 is a side on view of the spring urging means of the embodiment of the cue rest of Fig. 18,
• Fig. 21 is a front view of a portion of the cruciform structure of an alternative embodiment of the cue rest of the present invention.
• Fig. 22 is a cross sectional side and front view of the cruciform structure of one embodiment of the cue rest
• Fig. 23 is a front perspective view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the cue rest of the present invention.
• Fig. 24 is a front perspective view of a portion of an another embodiment of the cue rest of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Drawings
• a cue rest according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for cradling a cue in a game of snooker, billiards, or indeed pool, or such other games in which a cue ball is struck by a cue.
• the cue rest 1 comprises an elongated shaft 2, typically of wood, but may be of any other suitable material, for example, plastics material or the like.
• the shaft 2 defines a longitudinally extending central axis 4, and a table engaging means, namely, a pair of table engaging members 5 is coupled to the shaft 2 by an intermediate connecting means 7.
• the intermediate connecting means 7 is of an intermediate connecting member of arcuate shape.
• the intermediate connecting member 7 is of brass, and at one end 3 extends into an axial bore 8 in the shaft 2, and is secured therein.
• the table engaging members 5 are also of brass, and a threaded spigot 9 extending from the table engaging members 5 pivotally engages the intermediate connecting member 7 at the other end 6 thereof, for facilitating pivoting of the table engaging members 5 relative to the intermediate connecting member 7.
• a cue engaging means namely, a pair of cue engaging members
• the interconnecting member 7 is secured to the shaft 2 so that the respective ends 3 and 6 are in alignment with the shaft axis 4, and in particular, the threaded spigot 9 about which the table engaging members 5 and the cue engaging members 11 are pivotally connected to the intermediate connecting member 7 is axially aligned with the shaft axis 4, so that the table engaging members 5 and the cue engaging members 11 are pivotal about the shaft axis 2.
• the intermediate connecting member 7 of figures 1-7 is of arcuate shape so that the cue rest 1 may be rested on the table with the table engaging members 5 adjacent the cue ball irrespective of whether the cue ball is obstructed by other balls in play on the table. For example, if one or more balls in play are located adjacent the cue ball to the rear thereof, when one considers the line of sight of the cue ball with the next ball on the table to be played, the table engaging members 5 can be rested on the table immediately behind the cue ball, and the arcuate shape of the intermediate connecting member 7 avoids the ball or balls to the rear of the cue ball.
• the cue rest can be rested on the table with the table engaging members 5 adjacent the cue ball, and with the shaft 2 extending substantially parallel to the table without interfering with any of the balls in play, see Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 7.
• the cue rest 1 may be rested on the table with the table engaging members 5 adjacent the cue ball, but with the intermediate connecting member 7 angled relative to the table surface about the shaft axis as illustrated in Fig. 6, so that the connecting member 7 clears the top of an obstructing ball or balls, as illustrated in Fig. 6.
• the wing nut 10 is slackened and the spigot 9 is rotated in the intermediate connecting member 7 until the table engaging members 5 and the intermediate connecting member 7 are oriented relative to each other, so that when the table engaging members 5 are rested on the table, the intermediate connecting member 7 is angled about the shaft axis 4 relative to the table surface at the desired angle.
• the wing nut 10 is tightened, thus securing the table engaging members 5 at the desired orientation relative to the intermediate connecting member 7.
• cue rest 1 can be located with the table engaging members 5 and the cue engaging members 11 located behind and adjacent the cue ball with the intermediate connecting member clearing any obstructing balls in play which are behind the cue ball.
• the intermediate connecting member 7 has been described as being of arcuate shape, the intermediate connecting member may be of any suitable shape, provided it is shaped to avoid obstructions adjacent the cue ball.
• the intermediate connecting member 7 may be formed by a pair of spaced apart transverse cross-members extending transversely of the shaft axis, one of which would extend from the shaft, and the other from the table engaging member, and the respective transverse cross-members would be joined by a longitudinally extending member which would extend parallel to the shaft axis but spaced apart therefrom.
• the intermediate connecting means is an intermediate connecting member 7a of half-bottle shape.
• half-bottle shape we mean the shape of a typical Bordeaux wine bottle silhouette, halved along its central longitudinal axis.
• the term 'half-bottle shape' as applied to the embodiment of figures 8 and 9 therefore defines a short horizontal line (6a) set substantially perpendicular to a longer vertical line (12) , with the vertical line extending into a curved line which terminates in a straight line set substantially parallel with the vertical line, that lies along the axis of a perpendicular line 4 at the other end of the horizontal line.
• this shape is formed by a short transverse cross-member (6a) extending transversely of the shaft axis from the table engaging member and connected at one end to a longitudinally extending member (12a) extending parallel to the shaft axis (4) and spaced apart therefrom, with the longitudinally extending member (12a) extending into a curved portion (12b) which curves towards the shaft axis and terminates in a straight end portion (3a) set substantially parallel with the longitudinal member (12a) and lying along the shaft axis which is at the free end of the transverse cross-member.
• the intermediate connecting member 7a has one end 3a connected to the shaft 2 and the other end 6a connecting with the table engaging members 5 and a median portion 12 between them. From one end 3a, the curved median portion 12b is curved away from the axial bore and is formed continuously with the longitudinal median portion 12a, which is substantially straight and parallel to the axial bore 4. The other end 6a of the intermediate member 7a is perpendicular to the longitudinal median portion 12 and the axial bore 4.
• This embodiment permits the user to lay the cue rest along the flat median portion 12a of the intermediate connecting member 7a, thereby raising the height of the cue engaging members 11 from the playing surface, providing a greater diversity of use for the invention during play, and therefore obviating the need for numerous cue rests in order to fulfil the player's requirements.
• Figure 10 shows one embodiment of the intermediate connecting means (7) .
• the end (3) may be attached to the shaft (2) by means of a screw thread provided at the end (3) which is engagable with a threaded cavity in the axial bore (8) of the shaft.
• FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment in which rotation restraining means are provided by a first member (15) on the intermediate connecting means (7) and a second member (16) located on the cruciform structure (22) , of which the table engaging means (5) is a part.
• an axial bolt (13) (see figures 17 and 19) is threaded through the central aperture (24) of the cruciform structure (22) and connects to the threaded cavity (24) of the intermediate connecting means (7) (not shown in figure 12, see figure 18) by means of the threaded portion (27) of the axial bolt (13) , and in doing so urges the first rotation restraining member (15) and the second rotation restraining member (16) together.
• the first and second rotating members are spring urged by a spring means (17) .
• the spring means (17) is a spring washer.
• Figs. 13 and 14 show the first rotation restraining member
• a central aperture (23a) is provided to permit the axial bolt (13) to pass through the central aperture into the threaded cavity (23) to engage with the boss portion (25) of the intermediate connecting member (7) .
• Figs. 15 and 16 show the second rotation restraining member
• the second rotation restraining member (16) is integrally formed with the cruciform structure.
• Eight indentations (21) are provided on the face of the second rotation restraining member (16) in a 'star' or 'fan' arrangement, i.e. the indentations (21) extend radially and are in diametrically opposing positions. Again, it will be appreciated that many other suitable arrangements and numbers of indentations may be used. In use, these indentations (21) are compatible with the protrusions (18) of the first rotation restraining member.
• a central aperture (24a) is provided on the second rotation restraining member to permit the axial bolt (13) passing through the central aperture (23) of the cruciform structure to pass through the second rotation restraining member.
• Figure 22 also shows vinyl caps (30) located at the ends of the table engaging members (5) and the cue engaging members (11) •
• the incremental pivoting position of the intermediate connecting member relative to the table engaging means may be selected by a gentle pulling action of the table engaging means, generally in the direction away from the intermediate connecting member, to operate a quick release mechanism.
• the table engaging means may be released and the spring washer (17) will urge the second rotation restraining means (16) against the first rotation restraining means (15) thereby locking the protrusions (18) into place in the indentations (21) This then releasably secures the position of the intermediate connecting member (7) relative to the table engaging means.
• the transverse cross member (6a) of the intermediate connecting means (7) is provided with a boss (25) extending substantially along the shaft axis (4) and in the direction away from the first end (3) .
• the boss is provided with a threaded cavity (23) into which the axial bolt may be secured.
• the axial bolt (13) is shown in Figs. 17 and 19.
• the bolt comprises a threaded portion (27), adapted to engage with the threaded cavity (24) a median portion (28) which is substantially smooth and on which the internal surfaces of the central aperture (23) of the cruciform structure (22) is free to rotate, and a front cap (29) adapted to engage with the spring means (17) and permit the axial bolt be screwed into place.
• the spring means (17) is a coiled spring, similar to the spring means shown in Fig. 22.
• This embodiment is further provided with a recess (26) in the surface of the cruciform structure to permit the top of the axial bolt to lie substantially flush with the front of the cruciform structure when the apparatus is assembled.
• FIG. 23 and 24 further embodiments are described.
• the cruciform shape of the cue engaging members 11 and table engaging members 5 defines four angles 19.
• a curved cue support 20 is integrally formed within one of the angles 19. The cue support 20 prevents the cue being engaged by the cue engaging members 11 at the narrowest possible point of contact of the angle 19.
• FIG. 13 shows a cue support that is detachably mounted by means of engaging between the table engaging means 5 and the intermediate connecting means 7a
• other embodiments are possible, such as clip on cue supports, for example, wherein the cue support is provided with means to detachably clip onto the cue engaging members .
• cue support (20) is illustrated as integrally formed from brass with the cue engaging members 11 and table engaging members (5) , however, detachable varieties made of brass, metals, alloys, plastics or the like are also possible.
• FIGs. 21 and 22 A further embodiment of cue support is shown in Figs. 21 and 22.
• the angles (19a, 19b) created by the cruciform structure (22) are not 90°; rather angles (19a) are greater than 90° and provide a curved cue support surface whereas angles
• various embodiments of the invention may comprise a separate axial bolt 13 to connect the table engaging means to the intermediate connecting member 7, 7a, such as by a threaded spigot 9, other variants are possible, for example, in which the axial bolt 13 is integrally formed from the end 6, 6a of the intermediate connecting member 7, 7a and also may be formed integrally with a cue support or one of the members of the rotational restraining means .
• table and cue engaging members and the intermediate connecting member have been described as being of brass material, they may be of any other suitable material, for example, other metals, alloys, plastics material or the like.

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• 2004
  • 2004-06-25 EP EP04737176A patent/EP1697011A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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