THE MASONIC RACK

Abstract

A device which is capable of tightly organizing billiard balls into a diamond or triangle pattern of various sizes. The inventive device consists of two sides which are fastened together in a fixed sixty degree position and a floating third side. The two fixed sides and the floating third side are interlaced which allows the third side to move freely along a plane. The interlacing ceases at the ends of the fixed sides which prevents the floating third side from breaking free from the fixed sides. When laid flat on a billiards table the floating third side can be used to firmly press the billiard balls together into a desired pattern. The floating third side swivels from a center bolt, and can be locked into position by a pin or latching mechanism. In one position the device can organize the billiard balls into a triangle pattern of various sizes. In another position the device can organize the billiard balls into a diamond pattern of various sizes. An accurate angle for the diamond pattern of balls is achieved by protruding arms which emerge from the back of the floating third side. When the floating third side articulates the arms join. Once merged, the arms can be locked into position by pin or latching mechanism. In the case of a pin, the same pin can be used to lock the floating third side straight so it can be used to make the triangle pattern.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB)

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1.) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to billiards and more specifically to the method by which billiard balls are arranged to start various games of billiards. A common arrangement of balls is the triangle shape but also common is the diamond shape. When arranging the balls, which is commonly performed by what is known as a rack, it is considered best for the balls to retain a tight formation so that the impact force of the cue ball will be dispersed throughout the balls in a consistent manner.

2.) Description of the Prior Art

A rack for arranging balls is traditionally provided for players at the start of most pocket billiards games. These devices are superfluous and as old as the games they are used for. The most common rack is in the shape of an equilateral triangle and its three sides are permanently fixed together. If the game of nine ball is routinely played then a rack in the shape of a diamond, also with fixed sides, is usually provided.

There have been many inventions over the years which have addressed the various racking arrangements common in pocket billiard games. More specifically, these inventions cater to the game of eight ball, which uses a triangle formation, and the game of nine ball which uses the diamond formation.

When using a rack of the traditional fixed side variety it is commonplace for players to rock the balls back and forth inside the rack and then press the balls forward with their fingers in order to achieve the tightest formation of balls they possibly can. This process achieves mixed results. Many inventions have attempted to resolve the loose rack problem.

The present invention is a novel departure from prior art insofar as it presents a simple method of creating multiple arrangements including the triangle and diamond formation as well as a novel method for achieving a tight rack. This is made possible with the use of a hinged floating third side which moves along a fixed plane.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a rack which will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rack which can organize billiard balls in a triangle formation of various sizes utilizing a detached floating third side held on a level plane by slots on the fixed side.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a rack which can organize billiard balls in a diamond formation of various sizes using a hinge which can lock the two separate elements of the detached floating third side into place.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rack which can tightly arrange billiards balls no matter which formation is desired by pressing a detached floating third side into the balls along a fixed plane and then to release the pressure along that same fixed plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the present invention creating a triangle formation of billiard balls.

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the present invention creating a smaller triangle formation of billiard balls.

FIG. 3 is an overhead view of the present invention showing the articulating third side which allows for the creation of a diamond formation of billiard balls

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective from behind showing the present invention in the triangle formation.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective from behind showing the present invention's articulating third side allowing for the creation of a diamond formation of billiard balls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1.) Overview of the Invention

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which reference characters denote similar elements in the several views of the drawing. FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate a billiard ball racking system which is comprised of two chief components. The first is 2 a slotted fixed arrangement of two sides of a triangle which trap the second component, 9 a hinged third side into a level plane where it can move freely until constricted by 6 the raised tabs attached to its extremities. Through the use of 3 a center bolt, the 9 third side can articulate once the 4 pin is removed from it. The 4 removeable pin can be replaced in 16 the protruding arm pin slot to fix 9 the floating third side into an articulated angle which can be used to create a diamond formation.

2.) Two Fixed Sides of the Rack

One of the chief components of the present invention is 2 two sides which are fixed together to form a sixty degree angle. Less then halfway from the fixed point of the two sides a 14 slot opens up running lengthwise down the fixed sides which the 9 floating third side passes through. The nature of this slot in conforming with the rectangular shape of the fixed sides traps the 5 recessed area of the 9 floating third side so that it can only move on a plane which is level to the surface supporting the rack. At the extremities of 2 the fixed sides the 14 slot ceases to exist and the sides are capped by 15 a piece of material which reinforces the design. When combined with the 6 raised tabs, this 15 cap prevents the 9 floating third side from releasing from 2 the two fixed sides.

3.) Hinged Third Side of the Rack

The second chief component of the present invention is 9 the hinged floating third side. The 9 hinged floating third side is comprised of two pieces which are attached together, but not fixed together, by 3 a center bolt.

A 4 removeable pin is what fixes the shape of 9 the floating third side into a straight angle or an articulated angle. When 4 the removeable pin is placed into 11 the recessed slot of 13 the raised area of the 9 hinged third side, the two pieces are held together to form a straight angle provided that the pin passes through 12 the pin hole in the elongated piece running from the other side of the hinge. When the 4 removeable pin is released from this 11 slot the 9 floating third side is allowed to articulate. If the 4 removeable pin is replaced to where it passes through the holes 10 and 16 of the protruding arms 7 and 8, then the 9 floating third side will be fixed at a sixty degree angle as it faces the 1 billiard balls.

The two pieces of the 9 hinged third side of the rack are accented by protruding arms 7 and 8. When the 4 removeable pin is released from its 11 slot the two pieces articulate from the 3 center bolt. When the articulation reaches sixty degrees on the interior side facing the 1 billiard balls the protruding arms 7 and 8 will converge so that the 4 removeable pin can be inserted through holes 10 and 16.

All components of the present invention can be manufactured from any material so long as it can withstand the pressure of the billiard balls during the racking process. This includes but is not limited to metal, wood, plastic, graphene, carbon fiber or any composite materials or any combination thereof.

Claims

1. A billiard ball rack comprised of two fixed sides and a hinged third side.

2. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby the fixed side forms a sixty degree angle.

3. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby the fixed side has slots running lengthwise down each side so as to hold the hinged side on a plane but still allow it some degree of movement.

4. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby a hinged side is allowed movement so as to press the billiard balls forward in a tight formation.

5. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby a hinged side can maintain a straight angle or articulated angle.

6. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby a hinged side can maintain different angles through the use of a pin or latching mechanism.

7. The billiard ball rack of claim 1, whereby the components are constructed of any hard material, including but not limited to plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, or any composite materials.