Table Attached Ball Rack Patents (Class 473/21)
  • Patent number: 8734262
    Abstract: The improved billiard ball rack positioning system is an invention that allows a user to quickly and easily position a billiard ball type rack. The rack of the system includes a plurality of position indicating LEDs and a plurality of proximity sensors mounted thereon. Proper positioning of the rack at a predetermined location on a playing surface or table causes actuation of the proximity sensors and consequently lighting of the indication lights. Lighting of all of the indication lights functions as an indication to the user that the rack is properly positioned. In contrast to prior art devices, the improved billiard ball rack positioning system provides for a “go/no-go” type of position indication means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: David A. Yovanovich, Mark A. Vester
  • Patent number: 8496535
    Abstract: A racking frame kit including a storage container housing three shaped side members that can assembled into an equilateral triangular enclosure for receipt of a group of balls in a compressed position. The racking frame providing a portable device that allows pool players to obtain the repeatability necessary from location to location. The kit further provides for the tightening of the formation of balls to obtain the maximum transfer of energy from a cue ball impact which will allow a predictable and disperse spread of balls across a playing surface. Various embodiments include a latching release, a magnet release, a tongue & groove release, and an elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew Kaplan
  • Patent number: 7785209
    Abstract: A billiard ball rack includes a spring loaded pusher bar for accurately positioning billiards balls, and extensions on the rack provide a gripping surface for a user. The rack may include one or more adapters that permit the rack to position balls for games of three-ball, six-ball, seven-ball, eight-ball, nine-ball and ten-ball. The rack has a low profile, and therefore fits into existing storage spaces in pool tables and the like previously used for conventional racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: RST2 International, LLC
    Inventors: Stanley J. Targosz, Jr., Robert A. Tertel, Steve E. Long, Adam D. Targosz
  • Publication number: 20020032068
    Abstract: A rack for a billiards table includes an indicator that produces an indication signal when the rack is properly positioned on a billiards table. The rack may include a device that produces a light beam. The rack may also include a diffuser or a photodetector that creates a signal when it receives a light beam. The light beam may be reflected back from an element positioned on the table or may emanate from the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: John Curtis Belknap
  • Patent number: 6261187
    Abstract: A rack includes three sides each having a protrusion on the first end thereof and a recess defined in the second end thereof so that the three sides are connected to be a triangle rack by engaging the three protrusions with the three recesses. Each side has two grooves defined in the inside thereof and two ridges extending from the outside thereof. Three separators each have two protrusions for being engaged with the corresponding grooves of the three sides to from a small triangle or a rhombus. Each separator has two concavities defined in the inside thereof so as to receive the ridges when attached to the outside of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Chin-Ho Tsai
  • Patent number: 5997404
    Abstract: A racking device, for racking a plurality of pool balls upon a pool table have a felt top surface, comprising a rack for containing the balls, a pressure base located above the rack, and a sweeper frame capable of relative vertical movement with respect to the rack. A plurality of sweeper pins extend vertically downward from the sweeper frame, which each selectively engage one of the pool balls. A lever causes the sweeper pins to move downward toward the balls to engage the balls and urge them toward each other. A pressure pin is associated with each of the balls, which firmly press upon the apexes of the balls to press them downward into the felt top surface so that the balls hold their positions in a tight, racked formation even after the racking device has been lifted upward and away from the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Louis Sardo