Ball Rack Also Constitutes Or Includes Spotting Rack Patents (Class 473/26)
  • 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: 7731596
    Abstract: The improved billiard rack is an invention that allows a user to quickly and easily rack or position a set of billiard balls without the inconvenience or necessity of actuating an auxiliary ball positioning device. The rack includes NEOPRENE or the like compressible members that cause a compressive load to be placed upon a group of billiard balls when the rack is positioned on a set of balls which further causes the group of balls to be tightly and properly grouped or racked. The rack further includes angled walls that provide for removal of the rack from a group of balls without the walls colliding with the balls. The rack further includes feet upon which the rack may be rotatingly removed from a set of balls by rotating the rack in an upwards rearwards rotation motion away from the group of balls. The feet preferably include alignment marks that may be aligned with corresponding marks on a playing surface so as to properly, accurately, and consistently position the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: David A. Yovanovich, Mark A. Vester
  • Patent number: 7666105
    Abstract: A billiard rack and method using the rack defining V-shaped ball containment area having a pair of arms each having an outer and inner side, where said arms meet at an apex and have extremities away from the apex that create an arc of approximately 60 degrees, the inner side of each arm extending at least as far as a distance equal to five times the diameter of a standard billiard ball and the outer side or each arm extending at least as far as the distance equal to four times the diameter of a standard billiard ball that is accessible from the top. The radius of curvature of the apex preferably is 1? inches and the distance between the ends of each inner side of each arm is 13? inches and the outer side is 14? inches. In a preferred method, the balls are racked by the user with two thumbs pressing against the balls and the rack is removed by forward movement away from the balls without disturbing the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Arthur W. Ball, James R. Plichta
  • Patent number: 7448954
    Abstract: A billiard ball racking system including a rack housing light emitting means to project a pair of 180 degrees separated light beams into at least one light receiver means housed adjacent the side rail of a billiard table so as to assist the racking player in consistently producing a square rack which, when achieved, is visibly evident to the breaking player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: James R. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6629897
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    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
  • Patent number: 5630759
    Abstract: A device used with billiard table for sensing balls dropping into the pockets and scoring as well as collecting and arranging the balls. The device is mounted under the dropping opening of the collecting ball rail of the billiard table for sensing the balls hit down into the pocket and automatically scoring as well as locating the balls at the location in the ball holding tray. After all the balls on the table are hit down, sensed and rendered in the ball holding tray, the device automatically re-arranges the balls at the preset triangular location on the billiard table for next game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Pei-Ju Lee