Drapeable cue rest

Abstract

A rest for retaining billiards cue sticks and other implements, tools and instrument comprising a sheet of non-skid material having a top, a bottom, at least one peripheral edge, a top portion and a bottom portion, a pocket means positioned on the top portion containing a weight therein. The rest drapes over a table edge or other similar surface and retains a cue stick in a generally upright position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a retaining or stand device for retaining elongated implements upright. The invention relates more specifically to a portable billiards cue stick rest.

2. Description of Related Art

In billiards there is often a need to support a cue stick when a player is not shooting. Players may rest or lean cue sticks against a billiards table or other table edge surface. However, table surfaces are usually smooth. When a player rests a cue stick against the table edge, the stick can easily slide against the table surface and fall to the floor, damaging the stick, hitting a player, or distracting play.

Others have developed various devices that attach to a table to support a cue stick. These devices typically involve clamping a rigid support to a table surface. However, various clamps would be needed for different table styles. Additionally, these devices are not necessarily portable or quick to use or reposition.

Other applications for such a device can be found for upright support of tool handles and musical instruments. Most portable rest devices require mounting to a fixed body or surface. These devices do not provide sufficient portability to move and reuse frequently. Additionally, their operation requires that they mount to a fixed body having certain dimensions co-operable with the device. These devices do not mount to tables lacking the required dimensional characteristics.

Accordingly, what is needed is a retaining device for cue sticks and other elongated implements that can be used with a wide variety of objects having intersecting horizontal top and vertical side surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved cue rest which is small, easily portable, and used with a wide variety of table styles and surfaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cue rest that can be quickly positioned, removed and repositioned for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cue rest that is easily stored in small areas such as a cue stick bag.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved rest for supporting elongated implements such as musical instruments, tools, tool handles, and the like.

Yet another objective is providing a means of advertising using a cue or implement rest.

To achieve the forgoing objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as broadly described herein, the present invention provides an easily drapeable rest device providing a non-skid surface for retaining cue sticks and the like in an essentially upright position.

To further achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention further comprises a weight affixed thereto for frictionally securing the rest to the table.

To further achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is easily foldable for storage.

Also to further the foregoing objects, the present invention includes a means of advertisement.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rest comprises a sheet of non-skid material having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of peripheral edges. The rest further comprises a bottom side and a top side. The bottom side contacts the table's top and side surfaces while a portion of the top side contacts the cue stick. A top portion drapes over part of the table's top surface while a bottom portion drapes over part of the table's side. The peripheral edge adjacent the top portion distal from the bottom portion is a top edge. The top edge folds back onto either the top side or bottom side of the sheet and is secured by stitching forming a hem. The plurality of peripheral edges further comprises a first side and second side that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the top edge. The hem adjacent the first and second side edge is sewn closed, as well as the top edge against the sheet forming a closed pocket therein. The closed pocket contains one or more weights for providing additional weight to retain the rest in place, particularly on inclined table surfaces.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numbers denote the same element throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a retaining device in which the current invention is practiced.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining device in having the top edge folded over onto the top in which the current invention is practiced.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a retaining device in which the current invention is practiced in use on a billiards table.

FIG. 4 is an alternate cross-sectional view of a retaining device having the top edge folded over onto the bottom in which the current invention is practiced.

FIG. 5. Is a cross-sectional view of a retaining device draped over a table edge in which the current invention is practiced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The invention is a rest 10 for frictionally retaining or supporting objects or implements such as a cue 70 stick upright. A sheet 15 of drapeable, non-skid material is preferred such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,406, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference, or as sold under the DUCK® Products brand of non-adhesive shelf liners sold under the EASY-LINER® brand name. However, other suitable materials having suitable surface characteristics to provide the necessary friction between the sheet 15, the cue 70 stick, the table and other surfaces may be used. The sheet 15 is cut or otherwise formed into a shape that is small enough to easily drape over a portion of a side of a billiards table. The sheet 15 can be any shape, ranging from a circle, having one peripheral edge 40, to squares or other shapes having a plurality of peripheral edges 40 of varying dimensions.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the rest 10 in use on a table. Tables generally have a horizontally disposed top and a vertically disposed side intersecting at an edge. On a billiards table, a top rail 75 provides a suitable top surface and adjoining side rail 80 on which to use the rest 10. The rest 10 has a top 20 and a n opposite bottom 25. The bottom 25 contacts the pool table top rail 75 and side rail 80. When draped over the edge of a table, a top portion 30 of the sheet 15 lies on the top rail 75 while a bottom portion 35 drapes down vertically and rests generally against the side rail 80. In the described embodiment, gravity operates to provide sufficient downward tension on the bottom portion 35 to drape down vertically. The non-skid characteristics of the sheet 15 act to frictionally retain the sheet 15 in place on the rails 75, 80. Once positioned, a user can place the butt end of the cue 70 stick on the floor and position the cue 70 stick upright against the sheet 15. A portion of the cue 70 stick contacts the sheet 15. The non-skid characteristics of the sheet 15 act to frictionally retain the portion of the cue 70 stick touching the sheet 15 in place. Thus, the cue 70 stick leaned or placed against the rest 10 is retained in place. Absent the rest 10, the cue 70 stick would tend to slide and drop from its position onto the floor, damaging the cue 70 stick or possibly injuring another player. As described, a portion of the sheet 15 touches and retains the cue 70 stick. This portion will usually be the portion of the sheet 15 lying over the edge defined by the intersection of the top rail 75 and side rail 80. If the table's top 75 surface is inclined, the cue 70 might also touch the top portion 30. For inclined side rails 80 the cue 70 might touch the bottom portion 35. Generally, the top portion 30 is the part of the rest 10 lying on the top rail 75, while the bottom portion 35 drapes down over the side rail 80. It should now be understood that the rest 10 could be used in other situations to retain other implements such as musical instruments, tool handles, and the like. For example, the rest 10 could be placed on a guitar amplifier or table top and used to retain a guitar or guitar neck in place when leaned against the rest 10.

Now referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, to facilitate retention of the rest 10 on an inclined top rail 75 surface, a weight 45 is positioned on the top portion 30. The weight 45 can be manufactured from a variety of materials so long as it provides sufficient downward force to retain the rest 10 in place on inclined surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated weight 45 is used. In practice a small piece of elongated metal having an essentially flat bottom has been found satisfactory for use as the weight 45. Other weight 45 elements could include flat bar, round stock, tubes or bags filled with sand or other weight-providing matter. When the rest 10 is not in use, the sheet 15 can simply be rolled up around the weight 45 for easy storage. A pocket means 55 is disposed on the top portion 30. The weight 45 is disposed in the pocket means 55 and is more clearly depicted in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the device has a plurality of peripheral edges further comprising a top edge 50 adjacent the sheet 15 top portion 30, a first side 85, and a second side 90. The top edge 50 is folded around the weight 45 and onto the top portion 30. The top edge 50 is closed against the top portion 30, and the overlapping portions of the first side 85 and second side 90 are also closed, forming the pocket means 55. The top edge 50 may either be folded over onto the top portion 30 top 20 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 5 or folded under onto the top portion 30 bottom 25 as shown in FIG. 4. A closure means 65 closes the top edge 50 to the top portion 30 as well as the overlapping portions of the first side 85 and second side 90. Embodiments lacking a first side 85 and second side 90 have the top edge 50 similarly closed against the top portion 30 to form the pocket means 55 therein. Suitable closure means includes, without limitation, stitching, hemming, adhesive, snaps or buttons, zippers, bonding, or other recognized and durable closure means 65. The illustrated embodiment depicts a closure means 65 comprising a hem wherein the pocket means 55 is closed. However, other pocket means 55 closures may be used which may be opened or otherwise operable so that the weight 45 is removable. Those skilled in the art will now appreciate that the weight 45 may also be positioned on and affixed to the top portion 30 directly using either permanent securing means such as adhesives, impregnation in the top portion 30, or the like. Alternatively, releasable securing means may be used to releasably secure the weight 55 to the top portion 30 such as hook and loop fasteners, zippers, buttons, snaps, or other devices. In other embodiments, the weight 45 may take the same shape and size as the top portion 30, or the weight may be releasably or permanently affixed thereto.

The invention preferably includes an advertisement 85 in the form of a banner advertising means affixed to the rest 10. The advertisement 85 may be a suitable piece of natural or synthetic material having advertising media printed, woven in, cut, embroidered or otherwise affixed thereto. The advertisement 85 may be permanently affixed to the rest 10. In such embodiments, the rest may be sewn, glued, bonded to, embroidered, or otherwise similarly affixed to the rest 10. The advertisement 85 may also be releasably affixed using snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or other releasable securing means. Alternatively, the advertisement 85 might be directly applied to the rest 10 by imprinting, painting, screen print, or other direct application of paint, ink, or pigmentation known in the art. The advertisement 85 could also be embroidered directly onto the rest 10. Further methods could include affixing a pin bearing the advertisement 85 or affixing other materials to the rest 10 thereby forming the advertisement 85. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the advertisement 85 is positioned on the bottom portion 35, although the advertisement 85 could be positioned elsewhere on the rest 10. When in use, the advertisement 85 banner is clearly visible to others. The advertisement 85 can be customized with logos or other advertising media suitable to an advertiser. Tournament and event sponsors will especially appreciate this feature, especially when the device is used as a billiards rest 10, since it permits advertising directly adjacent the play area. For televised events, this means that the advertising banner 85 will often be visible when the camera pans across the table. Billiards club and facility owners will also appreciate the ability to customize the rest 10 and advertise the facility.

Those skilled in the art will now appreciate that the rest may be utilized to support or retain other supported objects including brooms, mops, golf clubs, bats, outdoor tool handles such as rakes and shovels, musical instruments, or any other object that would be leaned or placed against a table, rail, or other similar edge surface for support.

As has been demonstrated, the present invention provides a novel rest for cue sticks and other objects. The present invention can be used on a variety of table or rail top-type surfaces. The prior art has no teachings in a portable cue or implement rest utilizing non-skid material that lies on a top and drapes over the side. Nor does the prior art teach a rest as disclosed herein.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, additional variations and modifications in that embodiment may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims shall be construed to include both the preferred embodiment and all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rest for retaining elongated implements upright comprising: a drapeable non-skid sheet having at least one peripheral edge, a weighted top portion, and a bottom portion.

2. The rest of claim 1 further comprising a top edge, wherein the weight is adjacent the top edge.

3. The rest of claim 1 further comprising a multiple of weights positioned on the top portion.

4. The rest of claim 1 further comprising a pocket means disposed on the top portion and containing the weight therein.

5. The rest of claim 1 wherein the weight is releasably affixed.

6. The rest of claim 1 wherein the weight is affixed to the top portion.

7. The rest of claim 1 wherein the top portion is the weight.

8. The rest of claim 1 further having a plurality of peripheral edges.

9. The rest of claim 1 further having an advertising banner affixed thereto.

10. The rest of claim 2 wherein the top edge folds onto and affixes to the top portion forming a closed pocket means.

11. The rest of claim 4 wherein the top edge folds around the weight and onto the top portion and releasably affixes to the top portion forming the pocket means having the weight therein.

12. A rest for retaining elongated implements upright comprising: a drapeable non-skid sheet having a top, a bottom opposite the top, a weighted top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one peripheral edge; a pocket means disposed on the top portion; the weighted top portion further comprising at least one weight contained in the pocket means; and an advertisement positioned on the sheet.

13. The rest of claim 12 wherein the portion of the peripheral edge adjacent the top portion and distal from the bottom portion is a top edge; the pocket means comprises the top edge folded around the weight and onto the top portion and closed along the top edge; and the weight is disposed in the closed pocket.

14. The rest of claim 12 wherein the weight is removable from the pocket means.

15. The rest of claim 12 wherein the advertisement further comprises a banner affixed to the sheet.

16. The rest of claim 12 wherein the advertisement is imprinted on the sheet.

17. The rest of claim 12 wherein the advertisement is removably affixed to the sheet.

18. The rest of claim 12 further comprising a top edge adjacent the top portion and distal from the bottom portion, a first side and a second side; wherein the top edge folds around the weight and affixes onto the top portion.

19. The rest of claim 18 wherein the top edge affixes to the top.

20. The rest of claim 18 wherein the top edge affixes to the bottom.