GB2452931A - Snooker and pool ball rack - Google Patents

Abstract

Ball rack 1, for selectively setting balls 18 on a cue game table into a triangular pattern or diamond pattern, comprises a substantially equilateral triangular frame 2 having upstanding sides 4, 6, 8 defining triangular aperture 21, and at least two fixed struts 12, 14 defining generally diamond shaped aperture 23 together with two sides 4, 6. The rack may shape fifteen balls 18 in a triangular snooker pattern or nine balls 18 in a diamond pool pattern. The fixed struts may be shaped as serpentine curves (26, 28, fig. 2a), and the rack may include three fixed struts (26, 28, 36, fig. 4) such that any pair of fixed struts forms a diamond shape in conjunction with the frame sides. The height (H, fig. 1a) of the sides 4, 6, 8 may be twice as high as the diameter of the game balls 18, with the strut height being half the side height, such that the triangular ball pattern may be formed using the sides 4, 6, 8 with the struts 12, 14 passing above the balls, and the rack may be inverted to form the diamond pattern using the struts 12, 14 and the sides 4, 6.

Description

* 2452931

BALL RACK

The present invention relates to a rack for cue game balls in particular a rack for shaping a set of balls in a triangular pattern or in a diamond pattern.

At the start of play, in cue games such as snooker or pooi, balls are arranged in a closely packed array or pattern, at a specified point on the cue game table. For most games, the pattern employed is a triangular shape consisting of fifteen balls. The balls are closely packed, each ball essentially in contact with adjacent balls, in five rows having respectively one,two,three,four and five balls in each row. However, for a game such as nine-ball pool a diamond (rhombus) pattern is employed. Nine balls are closely packed in five rows having one,two,three,two and one balls respectively to form the diamond pattern.

In both cases a rack or frame is employed to aid in shaping and positioning the pattern of balls at the desired point on the table. A triangular rack is used to shape the fifteen-ball pattern and generally consists of a simple triangular shaped frame with three upstanding frame sides defining an aperture. The height of the frame sides is greater than half the diameter of a cue game ball; typically the frame sides have a height approximating to the diameter of a cue game ball. When the rack is placed on the cue game table fifteen balls fit inside the frame aperture in a closely packed array. The outermost edges of the balls which form the outside edges of the pattern conform closely to the inside faces of the three frame sides. A similar rack, but with four sides and a diamond shape, is used to shape a nine ball pattern when required.

It is therefore necessary to have two types of rack, triangle and diamond, for a cue game table where different cue games are to be played. This incurs extra expense, especially where a large number of cue game tables are in use, as in a pooi or snooker hail. Furthermore, storing two racks for each table is inconvenient.

In CA2138082 (Kwasney & McDonald) a rack that can be used to shape a triangle or a diamond shaped pattern is disclosed. The rack has a generally conventional triangular frame, but includes two moveable "legs" or struts, each attached to one of the frame sides. The legs can be moved into the triangular aperture of the rack so as to form a diamond shaped frame, defining a diamond shaped aperture, for nine balls when required. The legs must be moved out of the way when a triangular pattern is to be formed. Close packing of some of the balls (into contact with each other) would be prevented by the presence of the legs in the triangular aperture. Whilst this arrangement provides the facility for triangular or diamond pattern racking of balls in one rack it has certain disadvantages.

A rack with moveable legs is more complex and expensive in manufacture than a simple fixed frame rack and a device with moving parts is in general more likely to require maintenance or repair. I0

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rack for cue games that can be used in shaping either a triangle or a diamond shaped pattern of cue game balls that avoids or at least reduces the aforesaid disadvantages.

The present invention provides a rack for shaping a group of cue game balls on a cue game table comprising; a substantially equilateral triangular frame having upstanding frame sides defining a triangular aperture; and at least two fixed struts, each strut connecting from one frame side to an adjacent frame side of the triangular frame, said fixed struts and frame sides defining a generally diamond shaped aperture, said fixed struts and frame sides being formed and arranged for shaping a group of cue game balls into a closely packed triangular pattern or a closely packed diamond pattern and, when in use for shaping a triangular pattern, the fixed struts pass above the points of contact between adjacent balls held in closely packed configuration in the rack.

The frame sides and fixed struts can be formed and arranged in a number of ways so that a rack of the invention can be used for shaping (racking) either a diamond or a triangle pattern. In use each of the struts defines one edge of the diamond shaped aperture and portions of the frame sides define the other two edges.

Different numbers of balls can be shaped by selecting a rack of appropriate dimensions. Preferably the rack is formed and arranged to shape fifteen balls in a triangular pattern and nine balls in a diamond pattern.

For example, (as shown in figure 1 and described in more detail hereafter) the substantially triangular frame may take the same general form as a conventional rack but with frame sides that are substantially higher, twice the diameter of a cue game ball. Two, straight, fixed, struts are fitted between pairs of frame sides, at their top edges, to define a substantially diamond shaped aperture, in combination with parts of the frame sides. The struts have a depth, as measured from the top edges of the triangular frame, of less than half the height of the frame sides.

In use the rack is placed on the cue game table with the diamond shaped aperture uppermost when a triangular pattern is to be shaped. In this orientation of the rack the struts do not interfere with the shaping of the balls i.e. the struts do not prevent close packing (contact) between any of the balls in the triangular pattern, as they are located at a height where they pass above the height of the balls.

When a diamond is to be formed the rack is simply turned over so that the diamond shaped aperture lies on the table.

The balls may then be placed on the table within the diamond shaped aperture, in the same way as with a conventional diamond shaped rack.

Preferably the rack of the invention is formed and arranged so that shaping a closely packed triangular or diamond shaped group of balls can be done without turning the rack over. This can be achieved by providing a rack where the fixed struts are formed to constrain the balls in the diamond pattern without the rack being turned over.

Each of the struts connecting between adjacent frame sides passes above the points of contact between adjacent balls placed in the rack, in use, and each strut conforms closely to at least one point on the outward facing top surface of each of the balls forming the edge, adjacent to the strut, of a diamond pattern of balls.

This arrangement has the effect of shaping and constraining a group of balls, placed inside the triangular frame and between the two struts, into the desired closely packed diamond pattern. When the rack is being used to form a triangular pattern the struts do not interfere with the close packing between balls, as they pass above the contact points between the balls placed in the rack.

Preferably the at least two struts each take the form of a serpentine curve. Preferably the serpentine curve conforms closely in use to a portion of the outermost facing top surface of each of the balls forming the edge, adjacent to the strut, of a diamond pattern. Struts of a serpentine form conforming closely to the appropriate balls have the benefit of securely keeping the balls in the desired pattern. At the same time they can be formed and placed so as to provide minimal interference with the placing of the balls, during either a diamond or a triangular pattern racking operation, by following a path that passes directly above the contact points between pairs of adjacent balls as illustrated hereinafter (Figure 2) Advantageously, where the rack is not turned over to change from triangular to diamond pattern use, three struts may be provided. This has the advantage that a diamond pattern may be formed starting from any corner of the triangular frame.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions and form of the fixed struts, to achieve the desired racking arrangements as described above, can vary depending on the dimensions of the triangular frame, especially the height of the frame sides in relation to that of the balls. Appropriate dimehsions and positioning are readily determined.

The racks of the invention may be formed of any suitable material, for example metal, wood, plastics, or any combination of suitable materials. Conveniently the rack is formed as a single piece moulded from a plastics material.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of some preferred embodiments illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la shows in perspective view a ball rack of the invention; Figures l(b,c) show in schematic plan views the ball rack of figure la in use; Figure 2a shows in perspective view another embodiment of a ball rack of the invention; Figures 2(b,c,d) show in schematic views the ball rack of Figure 2a in use; Figures 3(a,b) illustrate the requirements for shaping a diamond pattern of cue balls; and Figure 4 shows in schematic plan view a yet further ball rack of the invention.

Figure la shows in perspective view a ball rack 1 of the invention. The ball rack 1 has a generally equilateral triangular frame 2 comprising three upstanding frame sides 4,6,8 connected together to form the frame 2 with curved corners 10. Two straight, fixed, struts 12,14 connect between the frame sides 4,6,8. The frame sides 4,6,8 have a height H of twice the height (diameter) of a cue game ball (not shown) The fixed struts 12,14 have a depth, measured from the top edge lb of the triangular frame 2 of half the height H. The use of the ball rack 1 of Figure la is illustrated in the schematic plan views of figures lb and ic. In figure lb the ball rack 1 is placed on a cue game table (not shown) with the top edge 16 of the rack 1 uppermost, as shown in Figure la. Fifteen cue game balls 18 are placed inside the triangular frame 2 of the rack to form the desired fifteen ball triangle 20. The balls 18 are constrained in the pattern by the sides of the triangular frame 2, which define a triangular aperture 21. In this example the curved corners 10 of the frame 2 conform to the cue game ball 18 at each corner, but sharp corners can be used. When the rack 1 is used in this orientation the fixed struts 12,14 do not interfere with the placement of the balls 18 as they cross between the frame sides 4,6,8 above the height of a ball 18.

In figure ic the rack 1 has been inverted so that the bottom edge 17 (see figure la) of the frame 2 is uppermost.

A nine ball diamond pattern 22 is formed by placing nine cue balls 18 inside the triangular aperture formed by the frame 2 and between the two fixed struts 12,14. The balls 18 are constrained in the desired pattern 22 by the fixed struts 12,14 and portions of the frame sides 4,6, 8 which together define a diamond shaped aperture 23.

In both of the situations shown in figure lb and figure ic the desired pattern of balls is formed as shown and the rack 1 is then simply lifted from the cue game table to leave the appropriate pattern of closely packed balls in place, on the table, for play.

Figure 2a shows an alternative rack 1 of the invention. The rack 1 is moulded in one piece from a plastics material.

The rack 1 has a triangular frame 2 formed of frame sides 4,6,8 connected by curved corners 10 in a generally conventional manner and has a similar form to that of the embodiment of figure 1. The height of the frame sides 4,6,8 in this example is slightly less than that of a cue game ball (see Figure 2d) . The bottom edge 17 of the frame 2 features a broad lip 24 which helps to prevent damage to the cloth of a cue game table when the rack 1 is slid across it, when positioning a pattern of balls. The rack 1 has two fixed struts 26,28 which have a serpentine curve form and connect between frame sides 4,6,8 at the top edge 16 of the frame 2. The fixed struts 26,28 are positioned so as to define a generally diamond shaped aperture 23, in conjunction with parts 29 of the three frame sides 4,6,8.

Each of the fixed struts 26,28 defines one edge of the diamond shaped aperture and frame sides 4,6 define the other two edges. Each strut 26,28 attaches to one frame side 4,6 at about three fifths of the way along its length and crosses the triangular aperture to attach to the other frame side, 8 close to, but not at its middle. This S positioning of the struts allows shaping of fifeteen or nine ball close packed patterns.Use of the rack is illustrated in figures 2(b,c). Figure 2b shows in schematic plan view the rack 1 of figure 2a with fifteen cue game balls 18 fitted into the frame 2. The fixed struts 26,28 do not interfere with the positioning of the balls 30 in the corners 10 of the triangular frame 2 adjacent the struts 26,28. The positioning and serpentine curve shape of the struts 26,28 has the result that th struts pass between pairs of adjacent balls above where they contact each other. This allows the balls directly to be inserted or removed from the rack 1 easily. Figure 2c shows the same rack 1 as in figure 2a in use for forming a nine ball diamond pattern. Each of the fixed struts 26,28 conforms closely to the outermost facing top surface of the three balls 32 of the diamond pattern 22 adjacent the strut (see also Figures 3) Figure 2d shows in a partial elevation the positioning of a strut 26 (or 28) above and passing between a pair of cue game balls 18. The strut 26 passes above the point of contact 31 between the balls 18 and so does not interfere with their close packing, whilst still acting to restrain the balls in their desired positions.

Figures 3(a,b) illustrate the required conformation of a strut to cue balls in order to constrain the balls within a diamond pattern. Figure 3a shows in schematic plan view a diamond pattern 22 of nine cue game balls 18 inside a triangular frame 2. The shaded area on the balls 32 indicates the outermost facing top surface of these balls.

This is also shown in the elevation of figure 3b which shows one ball 32 sitting on a cue game table surface 34.

In order to constrain the balls from movement out of the diamond pattern, (in the general direction of the arrow A) the fixed struts, (for example, as in figure 2c) conform closely to at least one point on the shaded area of each ball 32.

Figure 4 illustrates in schematic plan view a rack 1 of the invention generally similar to that of figure 2 but having three fixed struts 26,28,36 each of a serpentine curve form.

As shown in the figure only two of the struts 26,28 are employed when a nine-ball diamond pattern 22 is required.

However any two of the three struts fitted may be used and so any corner 10 of the triangular frame 2 may form the "top" apex 38 of the diamond pattern 22 of balls.

Claims (13)

1. A rack for shaping a group of cue game balls on a cue game table comprising; a substantially equilateral triangular frame having upstanding frame sides defining a triangular aperture; and at least two fixed struts, each strut connecting from one frame side to an adjacent frame side of the triangular frame, said fixed struts and frame sides defining a generally diamond shaped aperture, said fixed struts and frame sides being formed and arranged for shaping a group of cue game balls into a closely packed triangular pattern or a closely packed diamond pattern and, when in use for shaping a triangular pattern, the fixed struts pass above the points of contact between adjacent balls held in closely packed configuration in the rack.

2. A rack according to claim 1 formed and arranged to shape fifteen balls in a triangular pattern and nine balls in a diamond pattern.

3. A rack according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each of the fixed struts connecting between adjacent frame sides passes above the points of contact between adjacent balls placed in the rack, in use, and each said strut conforms closely to at least one point on the outward facing top surface of each of the balls forming the edge, adjacent to the strut, of a diamond pattern of balls.

4. A rack according to any proceeding claim wherein the at least two fixed struts each take the form of a serpentine curve.

5. A rack according to claim 4 wherein the serpentine curve of each strut conforms closely in use to a portion of the outermost facing top surface of each of the balls forming the edge, adjacent to the strut, of a diamond pattern.

6. A rack according to claim 5 wherein the serpentine curve of each strut follows a path that passes directly above the contact points between pairs of adjacent balls.

7. A rack according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein three fixed struts are provided, each fixed strut connecting from one frame side to an adjacent from side so that any pair of said fixed struts defines a generally diamond shaped aperture in conjunction with said frame sides.

8. A rack according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the upstanding frame sides are twice the diameter of a cue game ball, and two, straight, fixed, struts are fitted between pairs of frame sides, at their top edges, to define the substantially diamond shaped aperture, said struts having a depth as measured from the top edges of the triangular frame, of less than half the height of the said frame sides.

9. A rack according to any proceeding claim formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metals, wood or plastics.

10. A rack according to claim 9 wherein the rack is formed as a single piece moulded from a plastic material.

11. A rack substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure la, ib, lc of the drawings.

12. A rack substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the drawings.

13. A rack substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to figure 4 of the drawings.