Cue rest

Abstract

A cue rest including a plate defining at least one valley which can be mounted on the side of a pool table. The cue rest prevents a cue leaned against the pool table at the plate from sliding across the side of the pool table and onto the floor. The cue rest plate can define an undulant surface with multiple valleys and peaks. In an alternative embodiment, the cue rest plate includes at least one U-shaped member such that the cue can rest within the protruding members of the U-shape. The cue rest can be mounted to the side of the pool table by means of an adhesive, screws or a fastener either as an aftermarket retrofit or during the manufacturing of the pool table.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cue or pool stick rest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Most pool tables or billiard tables are manufactured with substantially smooth finishes on the sides of the tables. Accordingly, if a person playing pool or billiards leans the cue or pool stick against the table, the cue slides down the side of the table and falls on the floor. There is a need for a cue or pool stick rest to prevent the cue from falling when leaned against the playing table.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cue or pool stick rest which will permit those playing pool or billiards to lean the cue against the playing table and not have the cue fall to the floor.

[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cue rest which can be retrofit onto an existing pool or billiards table, or which can be incorporated into the manufacturing of the table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A cue rest including a plate defining at least one valley which can be mounted on the side of a pool table. The cue rest prevents a cue leaned against the pool table at the plate from sliding across the side of the pool table and onto the floor. The cue rest plate can define an undulant surface with multiple valleys and peaks. In an alternative embodiment, the cue rest plate includes at least one U-shaped member such that the cue can rest within the protruding members of the U-shape. The cue rest can be mounted to the side of the pool table by means of an adhesive, screws or a fastener either as an aftermarket retrofit or during the manufacturing of the pool table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a cue rest mounted to the side of a pool table with a cue leaning against the table at the cue rest;

[0008] FIGS. 2 and 3 diagrammatically illustrate embodiments of the cue rest; and

[0009] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 diagrammatically illustrate different perspective views of the cue rest illustrated in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The present invention relates to a cue or pool stick rest. FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates cue rest 10 mounted to the side of pool table 40. The use of the expression pool table refers to pool table, billiard table, bumper-pool table, or any similar playing table in which part of the game involves striking balls with a cue or pool stick. Similar reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the drawings. In FIG. 1, cue or pool stick 30 is leaning against cue rest 10. Cue rest 10 is mounted to pool table 40 viz-a-viz screws 12 on either side of cue rest 10.

[0011] FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates cue rest 10 having a plate 18 with U-shaped members 16 disposed thereon. U-shaped members 16 may be defined by plate 18 and may include a variety of shapes and sizes. The important aspect of the outward surface 20 is that it include a valley 22 or ridges 24 within which a cue may lie such that the cue will not slide over the surface and fall to the floor.

[0012] FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of cue rest 10 having an undulant surface 20 with two valleys 22 and three peaks or ridges 24. Cue rest 10 may include only one valley 22 or two peaks 24. In FIG. 3, plate 18 includes top face 26 and bottom face 28 (opposite face 26). Bottom face 28 of plate 18 is deeper than top face 26. This characteristic is present to allow cue rest 10 to be used in connection with pool table exterior walls 42 that are angled towards the interior of the table (see FIG. 1). Cue rest 10 also includes countersunk screw holes 14 for mounting onto the side of table 40.

[0013] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates a front view of cue rest 10 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates a cross-sectional view of cue rest 10 from the perspective of line 5′-5″ in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 better illustrates that bottom face 28 has a greater depth DB than does top face 26, depth DT. FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a bottom view of cue rest 10. Cue rest 10 is approximately 3 to 4 inches in length represented by L in FIG. 6. However, other dimensions may be used.

[0014] Cue rest 10 includes a simple plate having at least one valley 22 or undulation wherein a cue 30 can rest when the cue is leaned against a pool table 40. Alternatively, cue rest 10 may be a plate having at least two peaks 24 within which cue 30 may rest. The purpose of the valley or undulation, or peaks is to provide enough lateral support such that cue 30 will not slide down the side of pool table 40 and fall to the floor. Cue rest 10 can be retrofit onto a preexisting pool table through any conventional means, such as by an adhesive mount, a screw mount or a fastener mount. In addition, cue rest 10 can be incorporated into the design of the pool table such that it is added to the playing table during the table's manufacture.

[0015] The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cue rest comprising a plate defining at least one valley, said plate adapted to be disposed on a pool table and said plate adapted to receive a cue at said valley.

2. A cue rest as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate defining said at least one valley defines an undulant surface.

3. A cue rest as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate defines at least two peaks, said at least one valley defined between said two peaks.

4. A cue rest as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate is adapted to be disposed on said pool table by one of an adhesive mount, a screw mount and a fastener mount.

5. A cue rest as claimed in claim 2 wherein said plate is adapted to be disposed on said pool table by one of an adhesive mount, a screw mount and a fastener mount.

6. A cue rest as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plate is adapted to be disposed on said pool table by one of an adhesive mount, a screw mount and a fastener mount.

7. A cue rest comprising a plate having at least one U-shaped member disposed thereon, said plate adapted to be disposed on a pool table and said plate adapted to receive a cue within said U-shaped member.

8. A cue rest as claimed in claim 7 wherein said plate defines said at least one U-shaped member.

9. A cue rest as claimed in claim 7 wherein said plate is adapted to be disposed on said pool table by one of an adhesive mount, a screw mount and a fastener mount.

10. A cue rest as claimed in claim 8 wherein said plate is adapted to be disposed on said pool table by one of an adhesive mount, a screw mount and a fastener mount.