Rests
A rest for use in playing snooker, billiards and similar games comprises a shaft (12) and a head (10). The head (10) includes a fitting (11) for connection to the shaft (12) and has a configuration such that it can provide support for a cue at a number of different spacings from a support surface on which the rest is placed.
This invention relates to rests and is concerned with the provision of an improved form of rest for use when playing snooker, billiards and other similar games, such games being referred to hereinafter for convenience as snooker.
A typical form of snooker rest comprises a shaft and a head that is of X-form so that two limbs of the X are placed on the snooker table and the cue that is being used to make a shot passes between the other two limbs of the X. Another known form of rest is a butt rest that comprises a pair of spaced vertical limbs that are interconnected by a curved bridge or support surface on which the cue is supported.
The design of the standard form of rest used when playing snooker is such that, when a player makes a shot using the rest, the butt of the cue that the player is holding is positioned in front of the player's face, rather than the player holding the cue with his normal playing stance.
The cueing action that a player adopts is thus not the same as that which he normally adopts and there are limitations on the range of shots that he can play using a rest.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of rest for use when playing snooker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the present invention there is provided a rest comprising a shaft and a head, the head including a fitting for connection to the stem and having a configuration such that it can provide support for a cue at a number of different spacings from a support surface on which the rest is placed.
The configuration of the head may be as shown in any of the figures of the accompanying drawings.
The design of the head is thus such as to enable the player to strike the ball using his normal cueing action rather than having to lift the butt of the shaft in front of his face. A full range of shots can thus be played with an increased degree of confidence.
The configuration of the head may be such that different parts of the rest can be placed in contact with the support surface to provide the different spacings. The configuration of the head may alternatively be such that a zig-zag portion provides the different spacings.
The head 10 shown in
As an alternative to having a threaded connection between the end of the shaft 12 and the head 10, a plug-in connection may be provided between the end of the shaft 12 and the head 10.
This is the position indicated as (a) in
The design of the head 10 is such that it can be laid on the table in a number of different orientations so as to provide support for the tip of the cue, with the tip of the cue being positioned at a number of different heights as most appropriate for the shot that the player wishes to make.
When the head 10 of the rest is turned through 90° from the position shown in
When the head 10 of the rest is turned through 90° in the opposite direction from the position shown in
The head shown in
The head design shown in
Claims
1. A rest comprising a shaft and a head, the head including a fitting for connection to the shaft and having a configuration such that it can provide support for a cue at a number of different spacings from a support surface on which the rest is placed.
2. A rest as claimed in claim 1, in which the configuration of the head is such that different parts of the rest can be placed in contact with the support surface to provide the different spacings.
3. A rest as claimed in claim 2, in which the head includes a base portion having a first end and a second end, a stem extending from the first end of the base portion and terminating in register with the second end of the base portion, and a branch extending from the stem and terminating in register with the first end of the base portion.
4. A rest as claimed in claim 1 in which the head includes a zig-zag portion that provides the different spacings.
5. A rest as claimed in claim 1, in which the shaft is adjustable in length.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 25, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2007
Inventor: Stephen Grainger (Torquay)
Application Number: 11/698,569