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snooker, pool or billiards ball rack

snooker, pool or billiards ball rack description/claims

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2005903892 filed on 21 Jul. 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a snooker, pool or billiards ball rack for setting such balls in a formation for play. In particular, the invention relates to a device for arranging and setting snooker, pool or billiard balls or the like in a formation for play that has the facility to function as an advertising vehicle for displaying information and/or has a cleaning member to enable a user to clean a surface of the gaming table.

In many entertainment venues such as halls, clubs, hotels, pubs and the like, ball games such as pool, billiards and snooker are popular and provide a means by which patrons and/or members can compete against each other in a controlled and organised manner. In many instances, such games can be organised into competitions or the like which may be sponsored or supported by individuals or companies, such as beverage suppliers or manufacturers or associated suppliers of products to hotels/clubs and other outlets that provide gaming facilities.

Prior to commencing a game of snooker, pool or billiards, the balls must first be arranged and set into an appropriate configuration, which typically depends upon the type of game being played. For most versions of the game of pool, fifteen balls are used and prior to commencing the game, the balls are arranged and set in a triangular configuration with the five balls forming the base of the triangle lined up parallel to the end of the pool table. For other games, such as 9-ball, the nine balls are arranged and set in a diamond shape. Typically the arrangement of the balls depends upon the number of balls being used and the specific rules of the game.

In order to arrange and set the balls in position prior to commencement of a game, the balls are placed within a rack which configures the balls into a shape and ensures that the balls form a tight arrangement, with all balls touching adjacent balls. The rack typically takes the desired shape of the balls prior to play, i.e., in games where the balls are to be arranged and set in a triangular configuration, the rack typically takes a triangular form.

In general, the rack is an important piece of equipment for any game of pool, billiards or snooker and the removal of the rack from the balls generally signifies the commencement of the game. As such, in most venues where such games are played, each gaming table typically has a rack provided therewith.

During a game of snooker, pool, billiards or the like, dust from the tip of a cue together with ash from cigarettes and general airborne dust, may accumulate on the surface of the table creating an unsightly and irregular surface which may affect the roll of the balls and the longevity of the surface. To ensure that the surface can be readily cleaned and prepared as required, brushes are typically provided to clean the table prior to, and at times, during the game. As games are typically played in public access venues, such as hotels, halls or clubs, brushes are often lost, stolen or generally misused, thereby preventing them from performing their function.

The present invention is directed towards providing a rack that can function at least as a ball arranging and setting means and which can also receive and host information and advertising material that can be readily changed as required, and/or which provides a means to clean the table.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is a device for arranging pool, snooker or billiard balls or the like, the device comprising;

a frame for receiving said balls; and

a display member having indicia provided thereon and mountable to said frame to display said indicia.

In one embodiment, the frame may be substantially triangular in shape. In this regard, the frame may comprise at least one wall member arranged to form a cavity for receiving the balls and arranging the balls in formation. In one form, the or each wall member has at least an inner and outer surface.

The display member may be in the form of a strip of flexible material bearing advertising markings, corporate trade marks, logos or the like. The flexible material may be cardboard, paper or similar material upon which the indicia is applied, by for example, printing.

The display member may be detachably mounted to said outer surface of the wall of the frame such that it conforms to the shape thereof. In one form, the display member is arranged to extend around some or the entire perimeter of the frame. In another form, the display member is arranged to extend along a side of the frame.

A cover may be provided to extend over the display member. The cover may be used to secure the display member against the upstanding portion of the frame. The cover may be arranged to engage with the wall of the frame. In this regard, a groove may be provided in a base of the frame for receiving an edge of the cover. The groove may be shaped and recessed to grip the edge of the cover when received therein, to provide a relatively secure attachment of the cover to the frame.

In another embodiment, an upper edge of the cover may be provided with a rim portion which is shaped to receive an upper edge of the upstanding wall of the frame. In this regard, the rim portion may be shaped to fit over the upper edge of the wall of the frame thereby retaining the cover in a desired position.

The cover may be made from a clear plastic material such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA or Perspex®). The cover may be readily disengagable from the frame to facilitate removal and replacement of the display member.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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