GB2146908A

GB2146908A - Free standing cue rest

Info

Publication number: GB2146908A
Application number: GB08325178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John David Flanagan; Ian James Fletcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-09-21
Filing date: 1983-09-21
Publication date: 1985-05-01
Also published as: GB8325178D0

Abstract

The rest has a shaped plate 13 mounted on a solid conical base 10, fitted with a shroud (not shown). The plate 13 provides support surfaces 15, 18 and 19 for a snooker/billiard cue and can be lifted and moved around the playing surface by passing a cue through a central hole 14. The base 10 is designed to fit under the edge cushion of the playing surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Free Standing Cue Rest This invention relates to a free standing cue rest.

The principals and objects of the games of Snooker, Pool, Billiards, Bar Billiards and other similar games are well understood. These games demand that a ball is moved in a specific direction on the playing surface by striking the ball with the tip end of a cue. The cue being a tapered pole with a tip on the end of smallest diameter and being the accepted piece of equipment used in such games, the purpose of the cue being well understood.

When being used in play the cue is required to be supported at a point along its length to raise the tip of the cue off the playing surface and so allow the tip of the cue to be moved towards the ball to be struck.

In normal practice this support is provided by a bridge formed by the piayers hand or a rest or support mounted on a pole. These normal methods of support are impossible for persons not having the use of both hands or arms and extremely difficult for persons who are confined to wheelchairs or similar and are unable to reach to a sufficient height to adopt a position enabling them to use a hand bridge ora pole mounted rest in the normal manner. There are also occasions where the use of a traditional pole mounted rest is difficult for a fully able bodied amateur or professional player of the games described above.

According to the present invention there is provided a rest or support for the cue which is mounted on a free standing base. A hole is provided into which the end of the cue can be inserted to enable the rest to be lifted off the playing surface using the cue and allow it to be placed in the required position on the playing surface. A semicirle is provided at the top ofthe hole to ensure proper alignment. There are provided supports for the cue to enable the cue to be moved freely towards the ball so that the ball may be struck. A lower support and three higher supports are provided to allow the cue to be placed in different positions on the rest according to the run of play and position of the ball to be struck. There is provided a shroud to the base of the rest made from rubber, plastic or a similar material.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the rest without the shroud fitted.

Figure 2 shows a sectional side elevation through the centre line as indicated A-A on Figure 1 with a sectional view of the shroud in position.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view through B-B as indicated on Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a plan view through the base with the shroud removed.

Referring to the drawing the free standing rest comprises a conical shaped base 10, the largest diameter of which is 50mm x 6mm parallel tapering upwards to 22mm diameter. A relief 11, of variable depth (dimension X), in the base allows the weight of the rest to be adjusted if necessary. Above the base is a 4.35mm thick shaped plate 13 in which there is a hole 14 so shaped as to give a 90 degree 'V' shaped surface at the bottom of the hole which acts as a lower support for the cue. From the 'V' rises a tapered slot with a radius at the top 16 and a 3.5mm radius 17 at the top centre. Above the hole is a semi-circular radius of 7mm 18 to act as a higher support for the cue, each side of the top radius 18 is a 7mm radius at a lower level 19, these to act as further supports for the cue.The three 7mm radii 18 & 19 and the 'V' shaped bottom of the hole 15 so described are blended at 2.38mm radii to the 4.75mm plate thickness. The plate 13 is 60mm wide at the top and tapers down to 22mm to blend with the top of the conical base, 10. The design weight of the rest is approximately 370 grammes but this can be adjusted if necessary by way of the relief 11 at the base. The rest is manufactured in gunmetal, brass or other suitable materials.

The rest is designed to be used by persons who, due to either temporary or permanent disablement, are unable to use the traditional forms of hand bridge or pole mounted rest or support, but is also suitable for use by able bodied amateur or professional players of those games referred to in this submission. The rest is designed to be moved to the required position on the playing surface by inserting the end of the cue into the hole 14 and lifting it off the playing surface. Once in position as required the rest is free standing and the cue can be supported either on the 'V' shaped surface 15 or one of the higher supporting surfaces 18 & 19. Once the ball is struck the rest is lifted from the playing surface using the cue as described before.

1. Afree standing cue rest comprising a conical base, a base shroud and a shaped top plate providing support for a snooker/billiard cue.

2. A free standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the base is provided with a relief to enable weight adjustment of the cue rest.

3. A free standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the base shroud provides protection of the playing surface from the base of the rest.

4. Afree standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the base shroud provides a non-friction surface to prevent movement of the rest across the playing surface.

5. Afree standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the base is conical shaped to enable the rest to be positioned at the extreme edge of the playing surface with the sloping sides of the base fitting under the overhang of the raised cushioned edge of the playing surface.

6. Afree standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the shaped top plate is provided with a centre hole the upper part of which is shaped to receive the end of the cue to enable the rest to be lifted from the playing surface.

7. A free standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the upper part of the centre hole is provided with a smaller diameter semi-circular radius to ensure self alignment of the rest at 90 to line of the cue.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Free Standing Cue Rest This invention relates to a free standing cue rest. The principals and objects of the games of Snooker, Pool, Billiards, Bar Billiards and other similar games are well understood. These games demand that a ball is moved in a specific direction on the playing surface by striking the ball with the tip end of a cue. The cue being a tapered pole with a tip on the end of smallest diameter and being the accepted piece of equipment used in such games, the purpose of the cue being well understood. When being used in play the cue is required to be supported at a point along its length to raise the tip of the cue off the playing surface and so allow the tip of the cue to be moved towards the ball to be struck. In normal practice this support is provided by a bridge formed by the piayers hand or a rest or support mounted on a pole. These normal methods of support are impossible for persons not having the use of both hands or arms and extremely difficult for persons who are confined to wheelchairs or similar and are unable to reach to a sufficient height to adopt a position enabling them to use a hand bridge ora pole mounted rest in the normal manner. There are also occasions where the use of a traditional pole mounted rest is difficult for a fully able bodied amateur or professional player of the games described above. According to the present invention there is provided a rest or support for the cue which is mounted on a free standing base. A hole is provided into which the end of the cue can be inserted to enable the rest to be lifted off the playing surface using the cue and allow it to be placed in the required position on the playing surface. A semicirle is provided at the top ofthe hole to ensure proper alignment. There are provided supports for the cue to enable the cue to be moved freely towards the ball so that the ball may be struck. A lower support and three higher supports are provided to allow the cue to be placed in different positions on the rest according to the run of play and position of the ball to be struck. There is provided a shroud to the base of the rest made from rubber, plastic or a similar material. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the rest without the shroud fitted. Figure 2 shows a sectional side elevation through the centre line as indicated A-A on Figure 1 with a sectional view of the shroud in position. Figure 3 shows a sectional view through B-B as indicated on Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a plan view through the base with the shroud removed. Referring to the drawing the free standing rest comprises a conical shaped base 10, the largest diameter of which is 50mm x 6mm parallel tapering upwards to 22mm diameter. A relief 11, of variable depth (dimension X), in the base allows the weight of the rest to be adjusted if necessary. Above the base is a 4.35mm thick shaped plate 13 in which there is a hole 14 so shaped as to give a 90 degree 'V' shaped surface at the bottom of the hole which acts as a lower support for the cue. From the 'V' rises a tapered slot with a radius at the top 16 and a 3.5mm radius 17 at the top centre. Above the hole is a semi-circular radius of 7mm 18 to act as a higher support for the cue, each side of the top radius 18 is a 7mm radius at a lower level 19, these to act as further supports for the cue.The three 7mm radii 18 & 19 and the 'V' shaped bottom of the hole 15 so described are blended at 2.38mm radii to the 4.75mm plate thickness. The plate 13 is 60mm wide at the top and tapers down to 22mm to blend with the top of the conical base, 10. The design weight of the rest is approximately 370 grammes but this can be adjusted if necessary by way of the relief 11 at the base. The rest is manufactured in gunmetal, brass or other suitable materials. The rest is designed to be used by persons who, due to either temporary or permanent disablement, are unable to use the traditional forms of hand bridge or pole mounted rest or support, but is also suitable for use by able bodied amateur or professional players of those games referred to in this submission. The rest is designed to be moved to the required position on the playing surface by inserting the end of the cue into the hole 14 and lifting it off the playing surface. Once in position as required the rest is free standing and the cue can be supported either on the 'V' shaped surface 15 or one of the higher supporting surfaces 18 & 19. Once the ball is struck the rest is lifted from the playing surface using the cue as described before. CLAIMS

8. Afree standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the lower part of the centre hole is shaped to a 90 'V', the inner edges being blended to a radius. This to provide support for and smooth operation of the cue when in play.

9. A free standing cue rest as claimed in Claim 8 wherein three semi-circular radii are provided above the centre hole, the inner edges being blended to a radius. These to provide support for and smooth operation of the cue when in play.

10. Afree standing cue rest substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawing.