CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application 16/378,146, filed 08-APR-2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/733,064 filed 18-SEP-2018, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] In the field of games using tangible projectiles, a device for facilitating the grouping of a plurality of balls in formation on the playing surface of a table or gameboard.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] It is desirable when playing the game of pool or billiards to tightly rack the balls prior to a break. A tightly racked group of balls will, when broken by the impact of the cue ball, have the desirable result of a greater dispersion and separation of the object balls comprising the racked balls, spreading them more generously across the playing surface.

[0004] Conventional racks, however, are not ideal for providing the optimal tight rack of balls. Such racks are oversized in that even when all of the balls are set within the rack, there is space between the balls and the rack, a necessity so that the balls can fit within the rack and the rack can be removed from the balls. The balls will often move within that space, which results in spacing between the balls and an undesirable“loose rack.” Indeed, in an attempt to eliminate the space within the rack, players using conventional racks often insert their fingers inside the rack.

[0005] Nevertheless, the racked balls can loosen after the player’s fingers are removed or as a result of contact between the rack and the balls that occurs when removing the rack. The above-described deficiencies of today's systems are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional systems and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art and corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting embodiments may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description. [0006] In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide improved devices and methods for racking billiard balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following presents a brief summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of the aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extended overview and is not intended to cover each and every element of the innovation or to limit its scope. A more detailed description is presented later.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pool rack for grouping pool balls tightly on a pool table comprising a plurality of rack walls each having a first end and a second end, said first end and second end being adapted in shape so that when the rack walls are connected to each other at a first connected position the rack walls form a substantially triangular shaped extended frame with substantially

upstanding rack walls that loosely group a set of billiard balls, and when the rack walls are connected to each other at a second connected position the rack walls form a substantially triangular shaped closed frame with angled rack walls that sits atop the set of billiard balls and tightly groups the set of billiard balls, said pool rack also including a connecting means located at each vertex of the triangle formed by the connected rack walls that connects the rack walls alternatively at the first connected position wherein the rack walls form the triangular shaped extended frame and the second connected position wherein the rack walls form the triangular shaped closed frame, said

connecting means permitting manual movement of the rack wall connection between the first connected position and second connected position.

[0009] In another embodiment, the invention comprises a pool rack for grouping pool balls tightly on a pool table comprising a plurality of rack walls each including a first end and a second end, said first end and second end being adapted in shape so that when the rack walls are connected to each other at a first connected position the rack walls form a substantially diamond shaped extended frame with substantially upstanding rack walls that loosely group a set of billiard balls, and when the rack walls are connected to each other at a second connected position the rack walls form a substantially diamond shaped closed frame with angled rack walls that sits atop the set of billiard balls and tightly groups the set of billiard balls, and a connecting means located at each vertex of the diamond formed by the connected rack walls that connects the rack walls alternatively at the first connected position wherein the rack walls form the diamond shaped extended frame and the second connected position wherein the rack walls form the diamond shaped closed frame, said connecting means permitting manual movement of the rack wall connection between the first connected position and second connected position.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the invention comprises a pool rack for grouping pool balls tightly on a pool table comprising three rack walls, each having a first end and a second end, said first end and second end being adapted in shape so that when the rack walls are connected to each other at a first connected position the rack walls form a substantially triangular shaped extended frame with substantially upstanding rack walls that loosely group a set of billiard balls, and when the rack walls are connected to each other at a second connected position the rack walls form a substantially triangular shaped closed frame with angled rack walls that sits atop the set of billiard balls and tightly groups the set of billiard balls, and a first connecting means located at each vertex of the triangle formed by the connected rack walls for connecting the rack walls at the first connected position so that the rack forms the triangular shaped extended frame, said first connecting means also allowing the rack walls to be disconnected from each other at the first connected position and manually transformed so that the rack walls are connected at the second connected position to form the triangular shaped closed frame, and a second connecting means located at each vertex of the triangle formed by the connected rack walls for connecting the rack walls at the second connected position so that the rack forms the triangular shaped closed frame, said second connecting means also allowing the rack walls to be disconnected from each other at the second connected position and manually transformed so that the rack walls are connected at the first connected position to form the triangular shaped extended frame.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the connecting means are selected from the group consisting of magnets and magnetic material.

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, the rack walls include a flexible portion to allow bending of the terminal ends of the rack walls.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the first end and the second end of the rack walls are tapered. [0014] In another aspect of the invention, the first end and the second end of the rack walls are rounded.

[0015] Particular illustrations are described in connection with the following descriptions and the annexed drawings. These illustrations are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed. Other advantages will be readily apparent from the detailed description that follows.

The subject innovation is intended to include all aspects and equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0017] Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a closed rack.

[0018] Figure 2 is a bottom view of one embodiment of a closed rack.

[0019] Figure 3 is a front view of one embodiment of a closed rack.

[0020] Figure 4 is an alternate view of the bottom of one embodiment of a closed rack.

[0021] Figure 5 is a close up of the rack wall corner of one embodiment of a closed rack.

[0022] Figure 6 is a depiction of one embodiment of a rack when extended.

[0023] Figure 6a is a depiction of another embodiment of a rack when extended.

[0024] Figure 6b is a depiction of the rack depicted in Figure 6a when closed.

[0025] Figure 7 depicts one view of the walls of one embodiment of a rack when unassembled.

[0026] Figure 8 is an end view of one of the walls of one embodiment of a rack when unassembled.

[0027] Figure 9 is a close up view of the end of an embodiment of a rack.

[0028] Figure 10 is a depiction of one embodiment of a slide connector.

[0029] Figure 11 is a depiction of one embodiment of an anchor. [0030] Figure 12 depicts a side view of one embodiment of a slide connector with anchors attached.

[0031] Figure 13 depicts a top view of one embodiment of a slide connector with anchors attached.

[0032] Figure 14 is a top view of one embodiment of a rack when fully extended with billiard balls shown for reference in the rack.

[0033] Figure 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a closed rack with billiard balls shown for reference in the rack.

[0034] Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a closed rack with billiard balls shown for reference in the rack.

[0035] Figure 17 is a perspective view of an extended rack with billiard balls shown for reference in the rack.

[0036] Figure 18 is perspective view of a rack when fully extended with billiard balls shown for reference in the rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and the preferred embodiments of the invention are presented with the understanding that the present invention is susceptible of

embodiments in many different forms and, therefore, other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and operational changes may be made, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention can be better understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the present invention provided herein are merely exemplary and illustrative and not limiting.

[0039] The present invention is directed to a novel and non-obvious devices and methods for racking balls for a game of pool or billiards. The invention is an improved rack for tightly racking billiard or pool balls. The rack of the present invention can exist alternatively in an extended or closed state and in one preferred embodiment includes tapered walls. Certain specific details are set forth in the following description and figures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand, however, that the invention may have additional embodiments which may be practiced without several of the details described below. In other instances, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate that the devices and methods described can include additional details without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed embodiments.

[0040] In a traditional pool rack, the walls of the rack frame are fixedly connected to one another. In other words, the rack walls cannot move in relation to one another and are not capable of disconnecting from each other. In the instant invention, the rack walls can move in relation to each other which allows the rack to exist in either a closed position or an extended position. When extended, the rack is big enough to place billiard balls inside. When closed, the rack encloses a group of billiard balls and ensures a tight squeeze over the billiard balls, keeping them in place. While the figures set forth here depict a triangular rack designed to rack a set of fifteen billiard balls, the concepts set forth in this application can be applied equally to smaller racks or racks of different shapes. For example, a game of“nine ball” uses nine billiard balls and a diamond shaped rack rather than fifteen balls and a triangular shaped rack. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the walls of the rack can be completely disconnected from each other. These features eliminate the aforementioned shortcomings associated with fixed wall racks.

[0041] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figures 1 - 6, each of which presents a different view of a first embodiment of a rack 1 for use in tightly positioning or“racking” a set of billiard balls or the like. Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a closed rack showing the rack walls 2 connected into a substantially triangular shape and a top cutout 5 designed, in this particular embodiment, to receive an anchor 6 for anchoring the slide connector 3, to the rack wall 2. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the closed rack depicted in Figure 1 showing the rack walls 2 connected into a substantially triangular shape. Figure 3 is a front view of the closed rack depicted in Figure 1 showing the rack walls 2 connected into a substantially triangular shape and the top cutout 5 designed, in this particular embodiment, to receive an anchor 6 for anchoring the slide connector 3 to the rack wall 2. Figure 4 is an alternate view of the closed rack depicted in Figure 1 showing the rack walls 2 connected into a substantially triangular shape. Figure 5 is a close up of the rack wall corner of the closed rack depicted in Figure 1 showing the rack walls 2 connected into a substantially triangular shape and the top cutout 5.

[0042] Figure 6 depicts one embodiment of a rack 1 in the extended position. The rack 1 in Figure 6 comprises three rack walls 2 which are substantially identical connected to each other connected in a substantially triangular formation and in a manner that allows the rack 1 to move between the closed position depicted in Figures 1 -5 and 15 and an extended position depicted in this Figure 6 and also in Figures 14 and 17. The rack walls 2 may be hollowed to decrease the weight of the rack 1 , although hollowing is not required, especially if the rack walls 2 are made of some lightweight material. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the ability to move between the closed and extended positions is facilitated by a slide connector 3. Flowever, slide connectors are not an essential aspect of the invention and in other embodiments, for example those depicted in Figures 6a and 6b which will be further described, the ability to move between the closed and extended positions is facilitated by the shape of the rack walls 2 and the means for connecting the rack walls 2 into the rack 1. Figure 6 also shows a top cutout 5 designed, in this particular embodiment, to receive an anchor for anchoring the slide connector 3, to the rack wall 2.

[0043] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 6, the rack 1 includes three slide connectors 3, one at each vertex or corner of the rack 1. It is not necessary for each corner of the rack to include a slide connector or for the slide connectors 3 to be located at the corners of the rack 1. Indeed, in a diamond shaped rack it is advantageous to have only two slide connectors 3. In other embodiments, no slide connectors are present. If present, the slide connector 3 will be connected to the rack walls 2. In one embodiment, this connection may be done via an anchor 6. A permanent anchor will allow sliding of the rack walls 2 between the closed and extended positions but will prevent removal of the slide connector 3 from the rack 1. In another embodiment, this connection may be done via a removable anchor. A removable anchor will allow sliding of the walls 2 between the closed and extended positions but also will allow full disassembly of the rack, if desired, via partial or full disconnect of one or more of the anchors from the walls 2 when the rack 1 is not in use. The anchors may be integrated into the rack 1 or may be separate. The anchors 6 may not be visible when the rack 1 is assembled. [0044] Figures 6a, 6b, 16 and 18 depict an alternative embodiment of the rack 1 wherein the ability to move between the closed and extended positions is facilitated by the shape of the rack walls and the means for connecting the rack walls to one another. The exact shape of the end of the rack wall is not critical so long as the shape permits movement between the extended position and the closed position.

[0045] Figure 6a shows the rack walls 2 connected into a substantially triangular shape. Each of the rack walls 2 of the Figure 6a embodiment includes a wall distal end 11 and four tapered edges 10, one on the upper portion of each end of the rack wall 2 and another on the lower portion of each end of the rack wall 2. It should be noted that the use of tapered edges 10 on both the upper and lower portion of each side of rack wall allows bidirectionality of the rack walls 2, however four tapered edges are not required so long as functionality is retained. Indeed, while it is advantageous for the ends of the rack walls to be tapered, in another embodiment, the end of the rack walls may be rounded. Those of skill in the art will recognize that myriad shapes of the ends of the rack walls may perform the function of achieving a rack that can be moved from an extended to a closed position as described herein. Turning back to Figure 6a, the rack walls 2 are connected to each other at a first connected position at the wall distal end 11 and form an extended rack. Figure 6a also shows an optional flexible portion 12 that is useful in permitting proper fitting and transformation of the rack 1. Such flexible portion 12 may be made of any material that provides sufficient flexibility to permit the rack walls 2 to connect to each other in the manner and with the result as described herein. Figure 18 depicts an embodiment that is similar to the rack 1 of Figure 6a in the extended position loosely grouping the billiard balls 8, shown for reference. The embodiment in Figure 18 also shows magnets 13 located on the upper tapered edge 10 of each rack wall 2 and at the wall distal end 11.

[0046] Figure 6b shows the rack walls 2 of the embodiment show in Figure 6a connected into a substantially triangular closed shape. Like the embodiment in Figure 6a, the Figure 6b embodiment includes a wall distal end 11 and four tapered edges 10, one on the upper portion of each end of the rack wall 2 and another on the lower portion of each end of the rack wall 2, and a flexible portion 12. As shown in Figure 6b, the rack walls 2 are connected to each other at a second connected position at the upper tapered edge 10 which creates a closed rack. Figure 16 depicts the rack 1 of Figure 6b seated atop and tightly grouping the billiard balls 8, shown for reference. [0047] Taking the embodiments depicted in Figures 6a, 6b, 16 and 18 together, the rack walls 2 are shaped so that each end of each rack wall 2 includes a tapered edge 10 and a wall distal end 11. The rack walls 2 may be connected at a first connected position located on or at the wall distal end 11 or at a second connected position located on or at the upper tapered edge 10. In other embodiments, there may be a third connected position on the lower tapered edge. When connected at the first connected position as shown in Figures 6a and 18, the rack walls 2 will form a substantially triangular shaped extended frame wherein the rack walls 2 are substantially upstanding and loosely group a set of billiard balls. When connected at the second connected position as shown in Figures 6b and 16, the rack walls 2 will form a substantially triangular shaped closed frame wherein the rack walls 2 are angled and the frame sits atop the set of billiard balls 8 and tightly groups the set of billiard balls 8. When the rack 1 is in the closed position, the rack walls 2 are angled at approximately 48 degrees in relation to the pool table, although this angle may vary.

[0048] The rack 1 in such embodiments include one or more connecting means that permit movement from the first connected position to the second connected position and back to the first connected position for connecting the rack walls 2 at each end vertex where the rack walls 2 are connected to each other. It should be noted that while it is advantageous in some instances to have identical rack walls 2, a connecting means need not be present at the end of each rack wall 2. For example, one rack wall 2 may include part of the connecting means with the other part of the connecting means or a receptor for the connecting means located on the rack wall to which the first rack wall will connect. In an embodiment with a single connecting means at each end of the rack wall 2, the connecting means permits movement from the first connected position to the second connected position. In yet another embodiment, the connecting means permits movement between the first connected position, the second connected position and a third connected position through use of a single or multiple connectors. In another embodiment with two connecting means at each end of the rack wall 2, one is preferably located at or on the wall distal end 11 and another preferably located at or on the tapered edge 10. In yet another embodiment, the end of the rack wall 2 may be tapered on both the top and bottom edges and the rack wall 2 may have a connector at or on the wall distal end 11 and at or on each tapered edge 10, forming a rack wall 2 that is bidirectional. [0049] The connecting means may be, for example, magnets or magnetic material, Velcro®, buckles, adhesive material, tapes, clips, clasps, snap, hook, pins, or straps or some other mechanical connector. In one example the connector may be a single magnet or magnetic material extending along the ends of the rack walls 2 that spans the first connected position and the second connected position and allows the rack walls 2 to be connected alternatively at the first connected position or at the second connected position. Alternatively, there may be separate magnets, one at each connecting position. In still another embodiment, the magnets are of such strength that they permit the rack walls 2 to be separated slightly and form the extended position. Those of skill in the art will be able to easily ascertain appropriate magnet strength to provide the desired results. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting means also allows the rack walls 2 to be wholly disconnected from one another. This disassembly allows more convenient storing and transporting of the rack walls 2 as they would not be configured into a space consuming triangular frame. Further to the ease of transportation and the versatility of the rack 1 , the rack walls 2 may be telescoping, or may be made up of multiple sections that could be disconnected from one another, so that the rack walls 2, or pieces thereof, may be made even smaller, which will ease transportation and will also permit use of the rack in games where less than fifteen billiard balls are used.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will recognize that in cases where the rack 1 includes a slide connection, the slide connection can be made in way that allows the walls 2 to separate from each other to create space for insertion of the billiard balls 8 and to come back together to form a tight set of racked billiard balls. In one embodiment, shown in Figures 7 and 8, each rack wall 2 includes corner cutouts 4 that accept the slide connector 3 and a top cutout 5 for receiving an anchor. One type of corner cutout 4 is shown in Figures 7 and 8, but also most closely in Figure 9. The corner cutout 4 accepts the slide connector 3.

[0051] Figure 9 also shows a top cutout 5 designed, in this particular embodiment, to receive an anchor 6. In another embodiment, which may be particularly useful in the case of a diamond shaped rack, the slide connectors can be connected to the tops of the walls of the rack. In another embodiment, the walls can include the corners of the rack and the slide connectors may be placed in the straight portion of the rack wall rather than at the corner. In another embodiment, the slide connector may be a rod. In yet another embodiment, it can be a telescoping cylinder. One of skill in the art will understand that the positioning of the slide connector is not important so long as the connectors allow the rack to exist in an extended and a closed position.

[0052] Figure 10 shows one embodiment of a slide connector 3, although the slide connector can be in any form that allows the opening and closing of the rack. In one preferred embodiment, this is made of a pliable plastic, but the material is not critical and the slide connector 3 may be made of other materials, including metal. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the slide connector 3 includes a track 7 that is designed to accept attachment of a removable anchor 6. In one embodiment, the slide connector 3 is designed to turn the corner inside the rack wall 2 and allow the rack 1 to close. Magnets or magnetic material may be employed to hold the anchors and connectors in place, as well as to hold or assist in holding the rack walls 2 together when the rack 1 is in the closed position.

[0053] Figure 11 depicts one embodiment of an anchor 6. In one embodiment, one anchor will hold one end of the slidable connector 3 to a wall 2 of the rack 1 and another anchor will hold the other end of the slidable connector to the adjacent wall.

[0054] Figures 12 and 13 show the connection of a slidable connector with an anchor in one embodiment of the invention without the rack walls 2. In practice, the slide connector 3 may be passed into the corner cutouts 4 of the walls. The anchor 6 can be inserted into the top cut out 5 and slidably connected to the slide connector 3 via the tracks 7 in the slide connector 3 by pressing the anchors through the top cut out 5.

In such an embodiment, when the rack 1 is closed the anchors 6 may slide laterally into the rack walls 2. In another embodiment, the slidable connector 3 will slide into the rack walls 2 but the anchors will stay fixed. Those of skill in the art will recognize, however, that the anchor may be fixed in relation to the slide connector 3 with the slide connector 3 moving laterally in relation to the anchor within the rack walls 2 but the anchor 6 preventing disengagement from the rack 1. In some embodiments, the anchors 6 may be slidably removed from the slide connector 3 by pushing or pulling the anchor 6 through the top cut out 5, or alternatively through a corresponding cutout 9 on the bottom of the wall 2. The anchor need not be separate pieces but can also be integrated into or permanently connected to the slide connector itself. In another embodiment, the anchor can be made by widening or tapering the ends of the slidable connector 3 in a manner so that th ^p «MHRNR nn ^p rtnr does not disconnect from the rack walls when the rack is extended. Those skilled in the art will recognize myriad ways of accomplishing the anchor in the spirit of this invention.

[0055] Billiard balls 8, while not a part of the invention, are used herein for descriptive purposes and to add context to the description of the invention. Billiard ball should be taken to mean a standard billiard ball or the like such as are widely

commercially available and are commonly used in playing games of billiards and pool.

[0056] Moreover, as shown by the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the walls 2 of the rack 1 may be angled such that the top end of wall 2 angles inward towards the center of rack 1. The angled walls facilitate the removal of the rack 1 from racked balls 8 without disturbing or moving racked balls 8 due to a collision of rack balls 8 by one or more of walls 2. The walls need not be angled when the rack is in the extended position, however. As depicted in Figures 6a and 18, which show one embodiment of the rack in the extended position, the walls may be substantially upright in the extended position but may become angled when the rack is transformed into the closed position as shown in Figures 6b and 16. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the exact angle is not critical and the invention may encompass frame walls 2 with angles of other degrees that accomplish the same result. It is noted that the rack walls 2 may be constructed of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, wood, plastic, metals or any other suitable material.

[0057] In practice, the assembled extended rack 1 is placed around a group of billiard balls 8 that are resting on a playing surface as shown in Figures 17 and 18. Alternatively, the rack 1 assembled and in the extended position can be placed on the playing surface and the billiard balls 8 placed within the extended rack. In one embodiment, the rack walls 2 then may be pushed together and the slide connectors 3 closed. In an alternate embodiment which relies on the shape of the end of the rack walls, the racks walls 2 are moved in relation to each other to manually transform the rack 1 from the extended position to the closed position. Moving the rack 1 into the closed position causes the rack 1 to push itself over the billiard balls 8 and tighten them together and causing the rack 1 to sit on top of the billiard balls as shown in Figures 15 and 16. When closed over the billiard balls 8, the rack 1 will be touching the billiard balls 8, but not the playing surface as shown in Figures 15 and 16. This provides another advantage of this configuration and of the invention in that it leaves the bottom open for moving and fixing the billiar hails R Tha hiliiard balls 8 with rack 1 may then be positioned as needed on the playing surface, the billiard balls fixed and the rack 1 removed. The angled walls 2, as opposed to straight vertical walls present in traditional pool racks, ease the removal of rack 1 without disturbing billiard balls 8 and the likelihood of a tightly racked set of billiard balls 8 is substantially increased.

[0058] Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments and certain working examples, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the rack 1 , to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the rack 1. Various modifications and variations of the described methods and systems of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0059] The invention has application to the billiard industry.