WO2022232917A1

WO2022232917A1 - A storable billiards table and method of storage

Info

Publication number: WO2022232917A1
Application number: PCT/CA2022/050681
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian CHARLEBOIS
Original assignee: Charlebois Brian
Priority date: 2021-05-03
Filing date: 2022-05-03
Publication date: 2022-11-10

Abstract

A billiards table being storable on a wall has a billiards table and a mounting system. The billiards table has a lifting connection position on the underside of the play surface. The mounting system has a mounting ledge that provides a surface onto which a side edge of one of a pair of long sides of the play surface rests while the billiards table is in a vertical storage orientation. The mounting ledge is wide enough to support the width of the side edge of the play surface. The mounting ledge is attached to a wall. A winch is provided to lift the billiards table from a horizontal orientation to the vertical storage orientation. A winch line has a winch connector that is removably attachable to the lifting connection. Shortening the winch line results in play surface being moved to a vertical storage position.

Description

TITLE

[0001] A Storable Billiards Table and Method of Storage

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present application relates generally to a billiards table storable on a wall and a method of storing a billiards table on a wall.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0004] Billiards competitions use slate pool tables that have a minimum size of three and a half feet by seven feet. Slate pool tables are generally designed to be elegant and permanent and are, as a result, challenging to move or store when not in use. This can result in a room being unusable for any purpose other than billiards or may prevent someone with limited space from purchasing a slate pool table.

Being able to move and store a quality slate billiards table could make it possible for people with limited space to purchase and use a slate billiards table instead of settling for the cheaper non-slate pool tables.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] There is provided a billiards table that is storable on a wall with a mounting system. The billiards table has a play surface. The play surface has a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. At least two legs are attached to a bottom of the play surface for supporting the play surface in a horizontal orientation during use. A lifting connection is positioned on an underside of the play surface. The mounting system has a mounting ledge and a winch. The mounting ledge provides a surface onto which a side edge of one of the pair of long sides of the play surface rests while in a vertical storage orientation. The mounting ledge is wide enough to support the width of the side edge of the play surface. The mounting ledge is attached to a wall. The winch has a winch line. The winch line is lengthened and shortened by the winch, the winch has a winch connector at a first end. The winch connector is removably attachable to the lifting connection. The winch raises the play surface from a horizontal orientation to a vertical storage position when the winch line is shortened and lowers the play surface from a vertical storage position to a horizontal orientation for use when the winch line is lengthened.

[0006] In one embodiment, the mounting ledge has at least one mounting bracket. The at least one mounting bracket provides a hinged connection that is removable from at least one of the billiards table and the mounting ledge.

[0007] In one embodiment, the mounting bracket has at least one holding spike that is movable between a horizontal and a vertical orientation. The at least one holding spike corresponds to at least one storage aperture positioned on the side edge of the long side of the play surface.

[0008] In one embodiment, the at least two legs of the billiards table are movable from a position perpendicular to the play surface while in use to a storage position parallel to the play surface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the at least two legs have wheels to allow the billiards table to be movable.

[0010] In one embodiment, a height adjustment is provided to allow for leveling of the play surface while the play surface is in the horizontal orientation.

[0011] In one embodiment, the wheels have locking mechanisms to prevent the billiards table from rolling unexpectedly.

[0012] In one embodiment, the winch line is lengthened and shortened manually through the use of a crank handle.

[0013] In another embodiment, the winch line is lengthened and shortened by a motor.

[0014] In one embodiment, the mounting ledge is supported by at least two support legs.

[0015] There is also provided a method of storing a billiards table. A billiards table is provided that has a play surface with a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. At least two legs are attached to a bottom of the play surface for supporting the play surface in a horizontal orientation during use. A lifting connection is positioned on an underside of the play surface. A mounting ledge is provided that is affixed to a wall. The mounting ledge provides a surface onto which a side edge of one of the pair of long sides of the play surface rests while in a vertical storage orientation. The mounding ledge is wide enough to support the width of the side edge of the play surface. The billiards table is maneuvered to the mounting ledge such that one of the long sides of the play surface is adjacent the mounting ledge. A winch is provided that has a winch line. The winch line is lengthened and shortened by the winch. The winch line has a winch connector at a first end. The winch connector is removably attachable to the lifting connection. The winch is capable of raising the play surface from a horizontal orientation to a vertical storage position when the winch line is shortened and lowering the play surface from a vertical storage position to a horizontal orientation for use when the winch line is lengthened. The winch line is attached to the lifting connection and the play surface is raised from the horizontal orientation to the vertical storage position using the winch such that the play surface is tipped onto the mounting ledge and the side edge of the play surface rests on the mounting ledge.

[0016] In one embodiment, the mounting ledge has at least one mounting bracket. The at least one mounting bracket provides a hinged connection that is removable from at least one of the billiards table and the mounting ledge.

[0017] In one embodiment, the mounting bracket has at least one holding spike movable between a horizontal and a vertical orientation. The at least one holding spike corresponding to at least one storage aperture positioned on one of the sides of the play surface.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least two legs are movable from a positioned perpendicular to the play surface while in use to a storage position parallel to the play surface.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least two legs have wheels to allow the billiards table to be movable.

[0020] In one embodiment, a height adjustment is provided to allow for leveling of the play surface while the play surface is in the horizontal orientation.

[0021] In one embodiment, the wheels have locking mechanisms to prevent the billiards table from rolling unexpectedly. [0022] In one embodiment, the winch line is lengthened and shortened manually through the use of a crank handle.

[0023] In another embodiment, the winch line is lengthened and shortened by a motor.

[0024] In one embodiment, the mounting ledge is supported by at least two support legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which references are made to the following drawings, in which numerical references denote like parts. The drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments shown.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a billiards table storable on a wall.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a mounting system used to store a billiards table on a wall with mounting spikes in a vertical orientation.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the mounting system with a guide bar in a vertical orientation. [0029] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the mounting system with a mounting spike in a vertical orientation.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the mounting system used to store a billiards table on a wall with mounting spikes in a horizontal orientation.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the mounting system with the guide bar in a horizontal orientation.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the mounting system with the mounting spike in a horizontal orientation.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the billiards table positioned between the guide bars of the mounting system.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the billiards table positioned with the mounting system with the winch line attached.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the billiards table in a vertical storage orientation.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the billiards table in a vertical storage orientation with pockets folded in. [0037] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the billiards table in the vertical storage orientation with folded legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] A billiards table, generally identified by reference numeral 10, and mounting system, generally identified by reference numeral 12, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 12.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, a billiards table 10 has a play surface 14. Referring to FIG. 12, billiards table 10 has a pair of long sides 16a and 16b and a pair of short sides 18a and 18b. At least two legs 20 are attached to an underside 22 of play surface 14 to provide support to play surface 14 when in a horizontal orientation during use. Referring to FIG. 1, when play surface 14 is in the horizontal orientation for use, legs 20 are perpendicular to play surface 14. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 12, four legs 20 provide support to play surface 14. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 9 through FIG. 11, solid braces 24 are provided between legs 20 adjacent each short side 18a and 18b. Referring to FIG. 8, collapsible braces 26 are provided between legs 20 adjacent each long side 16a and 16b to allow legs 20 to fold towards each other and move to a position parallel to the play surface, shown in FIG. 12. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that collapsible braces 26 may have a locking mechanism to prevent accidental collapse. It will also be understood by a person skilled in the art that different types of braces 24 and 26 or no braces may be used with legs 20. As is common for billiards tables, ball pockets 28 are positioned in each of the corners of play surface 14 and midway between the corners on the long sides 16a and 16b. Ball pockets 28 are generally made of a flexible leather or may be made of any other suitable material, including but not limited to canvas, netting, rope, twine, plastic, and fabric. Referring to FIG. 12, it is also common for billiards tables 10 to have lengthwise braces 30 and crosswise supports 32 to support play surface 14. This may become particularly important when play surface is made of slate which can be heavy. A lifting connection 34 is positioned on underside 22 of play surface. In the embodiment shown, two lifting connections 34 are provided and are positioned on lengthwise braces 30. Lifting connection 34 may be offset from a center of underside 22, however it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that lifting connection 34 may be positioned at a central point of underside 22. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that a single lifting connection 34 or multiple lifting connections 34 may be provided. [0040] Referring to FIG. 10, a mounting system 12 has a mounting ledge 36 that provides a surface onto which a side edge 38 of one of the pair of long sides 16a and 16b rests while billiards table 10 is in a vertical storage orientation. Mounting ledge 36 is wide enough to support the width of side edge 38 of play surface 14 and is positioned such that it is approximately the same height as at least a portion of side edge 38 of billiards table 10. Mounting ledge 36 is attached to a wall 40. Mounting ledge 36 may have support legs 41 which provide additional support to mounting ledge 36. In the embodiment shown, two support legs 41 are used it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that any number of support legs 41 may be used to provide additional support to mounting ledge 36.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 5, mounting system 12 also has a winch 42 with a winch line 44. Winch 42 is preferably mounted approximately seven feet high on a wall, however it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the use of pulley systems may allow winch 42 to be positioned at different heights. Winch 42 may be mounted to wall, ceiling, floor, on a base, or in any other suitable location known to a person skilled in the art. Winch line 44 is lengthened and shortened by winch 42. Winch line 44 has a winch connector 46 at a first end 48. In the embodiment shown, winch connector 46 is a hook, however it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that winch connector 46 may be a carabiner, shackle, or any other suitable connector known to a person skilled in the art. Winch connector 46 is removably attachable to lifting connection 34. Winch 42 raises play surface 14 from a horizontal orientation to a vertical storage position when winch line 44 is shortened and lowers play surface 14 from a vertical storage position to a horizontal orientation for use when winch line 44 is lengthened. Winch 42 may be lengthened and shortened manually through the use of a crank handle 49 or may be lengthened and shortened through the use of a motor, not shown. Acceptable motors may include electric motors, hydraulic motors, hand drills, or any other suitable motor known to a person skilled in the art.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, mounting ledge 36 may have at least one mounting bracket 50 that provides a hinged connection between mounting ledge 36 and billiards table 10. Mounting bracket 50 may include piano hinges, door hinges, or any other suitable mounting bracket 50 known to a person skilled in the art. Mounting bracket 50 is removable from billiards table 10, mounting ledge 36, or both billiards table 10 and mounting ledge 36. In the embodiment shown, mounting bracket 50 is a pair of holding spikes 52 that are movable between a horizontal orientation, shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, and a vertical orientation, shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Holding spikes 52 correspond to a pair of storage apertures 54, shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, positioned on one of the side edges 38 of long sides 16a and 16b of play surface 14. Storage apertures 54 may be positioned on one or both of long sides 16a and 16b. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that a single holding spike 52 and single storage aperture 54 or multiple holding spikes 52 and multiple storage apertures 54 may be used.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 12, guides 55 may be provided to assist in positioning billiards table 10 in position relative to mounting ledge 56. Guides 55 may be movable between a horizontal orientation, shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and a vertical orientation, shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Guides 55 may also be removable for storage when not in use.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, in the embodiments shown, legs 20 of billiards table 10 have wheels 56 to allow billiards table 10 to be movable. It is preferably for wheels 56 to have locking mechanisms 57 to allow billiards table 10 to be held in place and prevent accidental moving during use. In the embodiments shown, wheels 56 are caster wheels, however it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that other types of wheels 56 may be used.

[0045] A height adjustment 59 may be provided to allow for leveling of play surface 14 when play surface 14 is in the horizontal orientation. In the embodiment shown, height adjustment 59 is provided above wheel 56 and has a rotating handle 58 that connects to a screwed connection 60. Rotation of handle 58 results in wheel 56 moving closer to or further away from leg 20 on screwed connection 60. In this way, the height of each leg 20 may be changed independently of the others.

[0046] When a user wishes to store billiards table 10, locking mechanisms 57 on wheels 56 are released and billiards table 10 is rolled towards mounting ledge 36. If present, guides 55 may be used to assist in proper positioning of billiards table 10. Billiards table 10 is positioned such that one of long sides 16a and 16b is positioned adjacent mounting ledge 36. When used, mounting bracket 50 is attached to both mounting ledge 36 and billiards table 10. Where mounting bracket 50 is mounting spikes 52, mounting spikes 52 are positioned in a horizontal orientation and billiards table 10 is pushed against ledge until mounting spikes 52 enter into storage apertures 54. Winch line is lengthened to a length that allows winch connector 46 to be connected to lifting connection 34. Once winch connector 46 is attached to lifting connection 34, winch line 44 is shortened such that play surface 14 of billiards table 10 begins to tilt. Winch line 44 is shortened until billiards table 10 is in a vertical storage orientation. In the vertical storage orientation, play surface 14 is positioned adjacent wall 40. Where a mounting bracket 50 is not used, it is important that the user ensure that billiards table 10 is sufficiently supported by mounting ledge 36. Mounting brackets 50 and mounting spikes 52 in concert with storage apertures 54 help to ensure proper positioning of side edge 38 on mounting ledge 36. Once billiards table 10 is in the vertical storage orientation, legs 20 may be removed or folded into a parallel orientation relative to play surface 14. Ball pockets 28 may be folded in for storage.

[0047] When a user wished to use a stored billiards table 10, the steps above ae completed in reverse. Legs 20 are reattached or unfolded so that they are perpendicular to play surface 14. Winch line 44 is lengthened to allow billiards table 10 to move from the vertical storage orientation to the horizontal orientation. Once wheels 56 are positioned on the ground, additional slack in winch line 44 allows winch connector 46 to be disconnected from lifting connection 34. Billiards table 10 may be rolled away from mounting ledge 36 such that mounting spikes 52 are removed from storage apertures 54. If required, the user may disconnect mounting bracket 50 from billiards table 10 and/or mounting ledge 36. Billiards table 10 may be rolled to the preferred location for use and locking mechanism 57 on wheels 56 is engaged to prevent unintentional rolling during use. The user will likely want to level play surface 14 using height adjustment 58.

[0048] While not shown, billiards table 10 in the vertical storage orientation may be enclosed within a cabinet with doors. A cover may also be provided to protect billiards table 10.

[0049] Any use herein of any terms describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0050] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0051] It will be apparent that changes may be made to the illustrative embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention. As such, the scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples and drawings described above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A billiards table being storable on a wall comprising: a billiards table comprising: a play surface, the play surface having a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides; at least two legs attached to an underside of the play surface for supporting the play surface in a horizontal orientation during use; a lifting connection positioned on the underside of the play surface; and a mounting system comprising: a mounting ledge, the mounting ledge providing a surface onto which a side edge of one of the pair of long sides of the play surface rests while the billiards table is in a vertical storage orientation, the mounting ledge being wide enough to support the width of the side edge of the play surface, the mounting ledge being attached to a wall; a winch having a winch line, the winch line being lengthened and shortened by the winch, the winch line having a winch connector at a first end, the winch connector being removably attachable to the lifting connection, the winch raising the play surface from a horizontal orientation to a vertical storage position when the winch line is shortened and lowering the play surface from a vertical storage position to a horizontal orientation for use when the winch line is lengthened.

2. The mounting system being storable on a wall of claim 1 wherein the mounting ledge further comprises at least one mounting bracket, the at least one mounting bracket providing a hinged connection removable from at least one of the billiards table and the mounting ledge.

3. The mounting system of claim 2 wherein the mounting bracket comprises at least one holding spike movable between a horizontal and a vertical orientation, the at least one holding spike corresponding to at least one storage aperture positioned on one of the side edges of the long side of the play surface.

4. The billiards table of claim 1 wherein the at least two legs are movable from a position perpendicular to the play surface while in use to a storage position parallel to the play surface.

5. The billiards table of claim 1 wherein the at least two legs have wheels to allow for the billiards table to be movable.

6. The billiards table of claim 1 wherein a height adjustment is provided to allow for leveling of the play surface while the play surface is in the horizontal orientation.

7. The billiards table of claim 5 wherein the wheels have a locking mechanism.

8. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the winch line is lengthened and shortened manually through the use of a crank handle.

9. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the winch line is lengthened and shortened by a motor.

10. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the mounting ledge is further supported by at least two support legs.

11. A method of storing a billiards table, comprising the steps of: providing a billiards table having a play surface, the play surface having a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides, at least two legs attached to an underside of the play surface for supporting the play surface in a horizontal orientation during use, and a lifting connection positioned on the underside of the play surface; providing a mounting ledge affixed to a wall, the mounting ledge providing a surface onto which a side edge of one of the pair of long sides of the play surface rests while the billiards table is in a vertical storage orientation, the mounting ledge being wide enough to support the width of the side edge of the play surface; maneuvering the billiards table to the mounting ledge such that one of the long sides of the play surface is adjacent the mounting ledge; providing a winch, the winch having a winch line, the winch line being lengthened and shortened by the winch, the winch line having a winch connector at a first end, the winch connector being removably attachable to the lifting connection, the winch being capable of raising the play surface from a horizontal orientation to a vertical storage position when the winch line is shortened and lowering the play surface from a vertical storage position to a horizontal orientation for use when the winch line is lengthened; attaching the winch connector to the lifting connection; raising the play surface from the horizontal orientation to the vertical storage position using the winch such that the play surface is tipped onto the mounting ledge and the side edge of the play surface rests on the mounting ledge.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the mounting ledge further comprises at least one mounting bracket, the at least one mounting bracket providing a hinged connection removable from at least one of the billiards table and the mounting ledge.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the mounting bracket comprises at least one holding spike movable between a horizontal and a vertical orientation, the at least one holding spike corresponding to at least one storage aperture positioned on one of the side edges of the long side of the play surface.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least two legs are movable from a position perpendicular to the play surface while in use to a storage position parallel to the play surface.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least two legs have wheels to allow for the billiards table to be movable.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein a height adjustment is provided to allow for leveling of the play surface while the play surface is in the horizontal orientation.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the wheels have a locking mechanism.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the winch line is lengthened and shortened manually through the use of a crank handle.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the winch line is lengthened and shortened by a motor.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein the mounting ledge is further supported by at least two support legs.