US767309A - Pocket-plug for pool-tables. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED' AUG. 9, 1904.

- G. McGEE.

POCKET PLUG FOR POOL TABLES.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 27, 1902.

HO MODEL.

C J gffameys UNITED STATES Patented August 9, 1904.

PATENT Darren.

GEORGE MoGEE, OF MADISON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO HENRY G. POLLOOK, OF MADISON, INDIANA.

POCKET-PLUG FOR POOL-TABLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,309, dated August 9, 1904,

Application filed December 27, 1902. Serial No.136,834.-. (N0 model.)

To all whom, it puny concern.-

Be it known thatLGEoRen MoGnn, of Madison, in the county of Jefferson and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket Plugs for Pool- Tables, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pocket-plugs for pool-tables for converting the latter into billiard-tables, principally for use in private houses. Prior devices of this character have often proved objectionable by reason of their limited range of application, this being due to the fact that as usually constructed each plug is fitted to a certain pocket and only capable of application to that particular one, the pockets frequently varying in size, although only slightly. Furthermore, it has been found that when applied to the pockets and it is desired to restore the table to its original form as a pool-table it has been extremely difficult to remove the plugs from the various pockets.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a pocket plug which is so constructed as to be universally applicable, whereby the same is adapted for use in pockets in any of the standard pool-tables, thereby rendering it unnecessary to construct each plug with especial reference to a particular pocket and also to so construct the plug as to permit the same being readily removed from any pocket to which it is applied when it is desired to reconvert the table to its original form as a pool-table.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a pocket-plug in which is embodied simple and efficient means for maintaining the same in proper position when applied to a pocket and which means are so constructed as to cause the plug to become immediately engaged with the walls of the pocket when the plug is inserted tlierein.

lVith these general objects in view and others which will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood the invention consists substantially in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corner of'a pool-table having the herein-described plug applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a similar view, on an enlarged scale, of the plug removed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the plug, the covering being removed therefrom. Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the plug, the covering being also removed in this view to more clearly show the means for connecting the members of the plug. 4

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the body of the herein-described plug entirely enveloped by a covering 1, of cloth similar to and matching the cloth usually employed for covering billiard and pool tables, and said body is formed of a pair of angular members 2, the rear ends of which are substantially semicircular in form, as at 3, to provide a substantially semicircular head or end portion for the plug.

It will be noted that the forward end of each of the members 2 is cut at an angle, as at 4, in order that when the members are assembled together said ends will be divergent, and thereby form a right angle when the plug is inserted in a pocket, as will presently appear more fully. The forward end of each of the members 2 is also beveled, as at 5, whereby said ends are shaped to conform to the inclination of the cushion-rail of the table, and mounted upon the upper edge of the forward end of each of the members 2 is a cushion 6, which may be of any approved construction and secured in the usual manner. These cushions 6 are adapted to receive the impact of the balls and form prolongations of the cushions of the table which extend into the pockets, and thereby preserve the continuity of said cushions, as is characteristic of a complete billiard-table.

It is obvious that the members 2 should be suitably connected in order to form the complete body portion ofthe plug, and to this end a spring 7 is suitably secured to the rear ends of the members 2, as by screws 8, if desired, and said spring is preferably arranged to extend over the entire rounded portions of the members 2. By reason of this connection it will be seen that the normal tendency of the spring 7 is to force the members 2 apart, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3, by reason of which action said. members are caused to tightly engage the contiguous end. portions of the rails of the table and tightly maintain the plug in applied position when inserted in a pocket. in this connection it will also be observed that the outer sides of the members 2 are slightly inclined or beveled, as at 8, the purpose of this being to cause the plug to lit more effectually the contiguous portions of the rails of the table.

In order to limit the spreading of the members 2 under the influence of the spring 7, a \velt 9 is connected to the beveled forward ends of said members, and this welt also performs the function of a finger-loop, which maybe engaged when it is desired to remove the plug from a pocket. It will be noted, however, that this welt is applied at such point upon the members 2 as to prevent contact by the balls, thereby leaving the cushions upon the members entirely exposed for such contact.

The upper edges of the rear ends of the members 2 are provided with grooves 10, and said grooves are designed to receive the usual pocket-iron when the plug is inserted in a pocket. This provides for a firm support of the rear end of the plug; butin order that the same may be reinforced and the plug effectually maintained in its applied position an engaging linger 11, preferably formed of metal, is attached to the forward beveled end of each of the members 2, a screw 12 being preferably employed for this purpose, and said engaging lingers project beyond the sides of the members 2 and are adapted to engage or take under the cushion-rails at the sides and ends of the table. Thus it will be seen that the plug is effectually held in a pocket when inserted therein, and at the same time the engaging fingers 11 are sufficiently removed from the cushions as to prevent contact by the balls.

in applying the herein-described plug it is only necessary to insert the same in a pocket, when the members 2, under the influence of the spring 7, will be expanded into engagement with the contiguous portions of the rails of the table, and at the same time the grooves 10 will receive the pocket-iron and the engaging iingers 11 will take under the cushionrails, so as to hold the plug within the pocket. \Vhen it is desired to reconvert the table into its original form as a pool-table, it is only necessary to grasp the welt 9, and by apply ing pressure thereto the members 2 will be drawn toward each other, thus releasing the same from engagement with the rails of the table, and the plug may then be readily removed. The welt 9 is of especial value for this purpose inasmuch as the same enables the plug to. be removed from a pocket by ladies, and at the same time said welt, as before stated, limits the separation of the members 2.

\Vhile the form of the invention herein shown and described is what is believed to be a preferable embodiment thereof, it Will of course be understood that the same is susceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, and the right is therefore reserved to modify or vary the invention as falls Within the spirit and scope thereof. The invention is equally as well adapted for use with side pockets as with corner-pockets, but slight change in the construction of the members 2 being necessary for this purpose.

Having thus described the invention, what claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. Aplug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, and means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means.

2. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, and means for limiting the expansion of said members.

3. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, and a spring for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means.

f. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, a spring for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, and means for limiting the expansion of said members.

5. A plugof the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to eachother, a spring for connecting said members together, said members being norin ally expanded under the influence of said. connecting means, and. a welt connected to said members for limiting the expansion thereof.

6. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, and means also carried by said members and adapted to engage the contiguous portions of the rails of a table when the plug is applied thereto.

7. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, and engaging fingers also carried by said members and adapted to engage the contiguous portions of the rails of a table when the plug is applied thereto.

8. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, means for limiting the expansion of said members, and means carried by said members for engaging the contiguous portions of the rails of a table when the plug is applied thereto.

9. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, a spring connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said spring, means for limiting the expansion of said members, and means for engaging the contiguous portions of the rails of a table when the plug is applied thereto.

10. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality or members arranged in proximity to each other, said members being provided with grooves for the reception of a pocket-iron, means for connecting said members together, and means for limiting the expansion of said members.

11. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, a cushion carried by each of said members, and resilient means for connecting said members together.

12. A plug of the class described, comprisinga plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, a cushion carried by each of said members, and means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means.

'13. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, a cushion carried by each of said members, means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, and means for limiting the expansion of said members.

14. A plug of the class described, comprising a plurality of members arranged in proximity to each other, cushions carried by said members, means for connecting said members together, said members being normally expanded under the influence of said connecting means, means for limiting the expansion of said members, and means carried by said members for engaging the rails of a table when the plug is applied thereto.

GEORGE MOGEE. Witnesses:

W. M. WHITSITT, GEO. W. GOFIELD.

Images