Bumper for outdoor bumper pool table

A bumper for use as part of an outdoor bumper pool table includes a center support hub which is adapted to be attached to the top playing surface of the pool table. The support hub includes an upper cushion of silicone rubber which is compatibly sized and contoured so as to snap over the upper lip portion of the support hub. In order to cushion the rebounding action of pool balls as they strike the bumper, the support hub retains in a snap-fit configuration a lower cushion of silicone rubber which acts as a cushioning pad between the support hub and the top of the playing surface. A threaded rod, which is securely anchored as part of the center support hub, in combination with a flat washer and wing nut provide the fastening method of the support hub to the playing surface. A hub adjustment member of silicone rubber is disposed between the lower cushion and the wing nut. This hub adjustment member is cylindrical and shouldered wherein its smaller diameter portion extends through the playing surface and its larger-diameter portion abuts against the underside of the playing surface. The wing nut and flat washer abut against the larger-diameter portion and as they are tightened, they draw the bumper against the top playing surface. This tightening action results in axial compression of the hub adjustment member thereby allowing the rigidity of the bumper and the pace of the game to be controlled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates in general to pool tables and to bumper pool 
tables which are uniquely adapted to be portable and usable outdoors. More 
particularly, the present invention relates to essential parts of such 
tables. 
Conventional pool tables typically include a slate, concrete, or honeycomb 
bed covered with felt and the frame is constructed of wood, metal, 
fiberglass, or a combination of these materials. While the weight of the 
pool table is important to the overall stability, the construction of the 
frame is critical for the support of the slate bed and for stabilizing 
this slate bed in order to provide a true and level top playing surface. 
While current-day "felt" is frequently a blended synthetic fiber, it may 
still be adversely affected by wear, contact with debris and moisture. By 
all normal concepts and interpretations, these conventional pool tables 
are never used outdoors nor intended for such use because of their size 
and weight and because of their susceptibility to environmental conditions 
such as rain and snow. Pool tables which have been designed for use 
outdoors have been of sturdy and heavy construction employing concrete 
slabs. These tables are heavy and nonportable and some use liquid support 
and leveling means for the heavy concrete surfaces. Furthermore, they are 
not of a knockdown type wherein the table is easily assembled or 
disassembled for moving or storage. 
An alternative pool table concept which has found certain acceptance due to 
its smaller size, lighter weight and lower cost is a bumper pool table. 
These types of pool tables are considerably smaller and lighter in weight 
than conventional, regulation pool tables and provide a different game 
format and different game rules. Bumper pool tables typically have an 
octagonal-shaped top playing surface, a base and a series of raised 
bumpers which play an active part in the actual game. While such bumper 
pool tables are generally smaller than conventional pool tables, they are 
still not suitable for outdoor use because of their weight, and because 
they are neither designed nor constructed to withstand an outdoor 
environment. These tables also are not of knockdown construction and are 
therefore not easily assembled and disassembled into component parts which 
can be easily moved or stored. 
While pool tables and bumper pool tables alike provide an excellent form of 
recreation, their use is limited to indoors and usually in a fixed 
location and thus they are typically not used during good weather nor 
during such occasions as swimming and lawn parties and cookouts. 
Furthermore, outdoor pool tables have not been portable and can only be 
used in one location and are not easily disassembled and moved to another 
location or stored out of the way when use is not desired. 
If a portable pool table or a portable knockdown bumper pool table, could 
be designed and constructed to be used outdoors, it would provide an 
excellent form of recreation for the above types of gatherings which is 
not now available. The limited space requirements for playing bumper pool 
provides a strong incentive for designing a bumper pool table which is 
both portable and suitably constructed for use outdoors. However, there 
are certain design constraints envisioned for such a product including the 
fact that the unit must be waterproof, portable, able to be leveled and 
able to tell when the playing surface is level, means to secure the table 
to prevent theft and storage space for the cues and balls. Further, the 
portable table would have to have means for increasing its weight for 
proper stability and nonportability when it is in use and means for 
decreasing its weight and portability when it is moved from outdoors to 
indoors. One such suitable portable, outdoor pool table is disclosed in 
our prior, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 462,626, filed Jan. 31, 
1983. 
While portability is one aspect of outdoor use, the proper selection of 
materials is believed to be equally important, if not more important. In 
the event a user elects not to move the table, such as indoors, its 
ability to withstand a variety of weather conditions becomes critical. 
While weather resistant materials exist, the selection of a suitable 
material must take into consideration assembly of those materials and 
whether or not their use will have an effect on the game. For example, if 
certain materials are selected, their elasticity and resiliency must be 
ascertained and their effect on the ball action assessed. It is important 
that if there is a particular rebounding effect of balls off of bumper 
pool table bumpers, that the same effect be maintained over a range of 
temperatures. 
The present invention discloses on component part of a pool table 
construction wherein the selection and use of materials is made so that 
the table will be suitable for prolonged outdoor use while not sacrificing 
the durability of construction and reproducibility of game effects and 
responses. 
The following patents may have some relevance to the present invention, but 
they do not anticipate or render the present invention obvious: 
______________________________________ 
U.S. Pat. No. 
Inventor Title 
______________________________________ 
3,941,378 Bagley Convertible Pool Dining 
Table with Retractable 
Ball Box 
3,837,645 Criswell Playing Table with Base 
for Molding Fluid Therein 
3,658,328 Kooker Pool game tables and 
components for use 
therein 
______________________________________ 
The Bagley patent discloses an indoor dining room table/bumper pool table. 
This table is intended to convert from a dining room table to a bumper 
pool table. Criswell discloses an outdoor regulation pool table which uses 
a concrete slab for the playing surface. The concrete slab's weight is 
supported by and leveled by liquid contained in the multi-pedestal support 
arrangement which is disposed beneath the concrete slab. Criswell provides 
a sturdy and solid outdoor table which would resist the weather and the 
wear and tear of outdoor use. The table is set up in a fixed location and 
is not portable or of a knockdown construction. While not a bumper pool 
game, Kooker discloses a single pedestal pool game structure and 
components made by casting concrete. Kooker provides for ball return 
passageways that are formed during the casting which collect the balls in 
a central location and then deliver them to a collection tray extending 
from the pedestal. The table is not intended to be of a knockdown and 
portable nature because it is cast of concrete and shown embedded in the 
ground. Further, Kooker's leveling means rest above the unsecured pedestal 
cap and the pedestal and the top portion is supported in a direct line 
with the pedestal. 
Since none of the foregoing references adequately address the concept of an 
outdoor, portable pool table, it is not surprising that they are each 
silent as to the need to accurately select specific materials and how to 
incorporate those specific materials into the pool table structure. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An outdoor bumper pool table according to one embodiment of the present 
invention comprises a center support hub suitably designed and styled to 
be assembled to the top playing surface of the outdoor bumper pool table, 
an upper cushion member disposed on the center support hub, a lower 
cushion disposed on the center support hub, fastener means, including a 
tightening member disposed adjacent the underside of the top playing 
surface, for securely attaching the center support hub to the top playing 
surface, and a hub adjustment member resiliently compressible in an axial 
direction and disposed between the lower cushion and the tightening member 
the degree of tightening of said tightening member controlling the axial 
compression of the hub adjustment member which in turn controls the 
rigidity of the attachment of the center support hub relative to the 
playing surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the 
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the 
drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will 
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the 
invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications 
in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles 
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would 
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a bumper 20 for use as part of an 
outdoor bumper pool table. As is illustrated, bumper 20 is mounted to the 
pool table playing surface 21 by means of an externally threaded rod 22, a 
clamping flat washer 23 and wing nut 24. As will be described hereinafter, 
the threaded nut 22 is, in the exemplary embodiment, rigidly secured 
within the center support hub 25 of the bumper. Alternatively, the wing 
nut, flat washer and threaded rod arrangement could be replaced by similar 
fasteners such as a hex head bolt. if such a bolt is used, then an 
internally threaded hole is provided as part of the center support hub in 
order to securely anchor the bumper to the pool table playing surface. 
Cooperating with center support hub 25 in order to create bumper 20 are an 
upper cushion 28, a lower cushion 29, and a hub adjustment member 30. As 
is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2, the upper cushion 28 snaps 
over and around the upper portion of center support hub 25 while the lower 
cushion 29 snaps over and around the lower edge of the center support hub. 
As will be explained, each of these component parts are specially 
contoured and shaped so as to easily and reliably snap together into the 
finished bumper. The hub adjustment member 30 is a stepped (shouldered) 
cylindrical spacer having a larger base portion 31 and a smaller diameter 
post portion 32. With threaded rod 22 securely anchored into the center 
support hub, additional tightening by means of wing nut 24 draws the 
center support hub downwardly toward playing surface 21. As this occurs, 
hub adjustment member 30 is axially compressed. Due to the flexible and 
resilient nature of member 30, the bumper may be secured very rigidly to 
the table while at the same time permitting some "play" or spring to the 
bumper relative to the table. This play is desirable in a bumper pool game 
so that the pool balls striking the bumper will be cushioned to some 
degree thereby reducing the amount of rebound. Based upon the concept of 
utilizing this resilient adjustment member, it is possible to very 
accurately fine tune the desired amount of rebounding spring simply by 
means of how tightly the center support hub is drawn downwardly and 
anchored to the playing surface. The tigher the wing nut, the greater the 
degree of axial compression to member 30 and the faster the game with more 
rebounding action. Conversely, the looser the wing nut is tightened onto 
the threaded rod, the slower the gam becomes. Post portion 32 of the hub 
adjustment member 30 extends through a clearance hole in the playing 
surface. The base portion, being of a larger diameter than the clearance 
hole, abuts up against the underside of the top playing surface. 
Referring to FIG. 2, the detailed contour of the various component parts, 
as assembled, is illustrated. As is shown, and as additionally illustrated 
in FIG. 3, center support hub 25 includes a top radiused lip 35, a smaller 
under lip 36, recessed wall 37, beveled edge 38 and outwardly tapered body 
portion 39. Disposed internally and extending downwardly from the 
underside of the top lip is a central support boss 40 into which threaded 
rod 22 is disposed and securely anchored. Spanning the separation between 
the interior surface of the center support hub and the interior support 
boss are a series of webs 41, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 3. It is 
to be understood that there are three such webs disposed about the 
interior support boss and equally spaced 120.degree. apart. These webs 
provide the necessary strength and rigidity for the center support hub so 
that it will suitably withstand the impact of the pool balls, even though 
only anchored to the pool table playing surface at a single point. 
Referring to FIG. 4, the upper cushion 28 is illustrated in greater detail. 
Cushion 28 includes a top cap portion 44 and a full radiused body portion 
45 which provides a majority of the bumper resiliency and rebounding 
action for the pool balls. The top cap portion and body portion are 
arranged internally relative to one another so as to define an inwardly 
opening, annular interior channel 46. Base upon the illustration of FIG. 
2, it is to be understood that top lip 35 fits comfortably within channel 
46 when the upper cushion is flexed and snapped in place over the center 
support hub. The interior wall 47 of the upper cushion represents an 
interior cylindrical surface whose diameter dimension is substantially the 
same as the outside diameter size of recessed wall 37. The axial height of 
interior wall 47 is likewise substantially the same the height of recessed 
wall 37 which extends between the underside or under lip 36 and the upper 
edge of bevelled surface 38. As should be understood, recessed wall 37 has 
a slight concavity to its exterior surface thereby providing a slight void 
between its outer surface and the inside diameter surface of interior wall 
47. This void allows some reduction in the spring action and rebound of 
the upper cushion, a characteristic which is important. Since the upper 
cushion and lower cushion are fabricated from silicone rubber, a 
requirement for prolonged outdoor use, applying this silicone rubber 
directly to center support hub 25 would result in too much rebounding 
action to the impacting pool balls. 
Although it is top lip 35 which fits within interior channel 46, it should 
be understood that underlip 36 serves as a stop against which interior 
wall 47 abuts thereby assuring the previously mentioned air void due to 
the fact that the recessed wall 37 has a smaller outside diameter than 
does underlip 36. 
Referring to FIG. 5, lower cushion 29 is illustrated in greater detail. 
Lower cushion 29 includes an outer annular channel 50 which has a radial 
width substantially the same, although slightly smaller than the wall 
thickness of the tapered body portion 39 of center support hub 25. In this 
manner, and in part due to the fact that the lower cushion is also 
constructed of silicone rubber, this lower cushion will snap in place onto 
and about bottom edge 51 (see FIG. 3). The flexibility as well as 
resiliency of the lower cushion allows it to be formed and manipulated so 
as to easily snap onto and over this bottom edge portion. Once snapped in 
place, it remains there until pried or peeled off, if such would be 
necessary for either replacement or repair. The center portion of cushion 
29 includes a clearance hole 52 which has a top counterbore 53. This 
clearance hole 52 is provided for the threaded rod 22 and the counterbore 
portion is provided for the lower edge of the support boss to fit inside. 
Receipt of the lower edge of the support boss within this counterbore 
portion assists in stabilizing the lower cushion and reducing any flexing 
or twisting or other deflection of the lower cushion, and at the same time 
provides an abutment surface as part of the overall clamping action as the 
wing nut is tightened to draw the bumper 20 against playing surface 21. 
Cushion 29 serves as the mounting pad for the bumper and provides a 
stable, yet shock-absorbing, interface between the hub and the top playing 
surface. 
Hub adjustment member 30 provides a soft pad which serves as an insulator 
and shock absorber between the flat washer-wing nut combination and the 
lower cushion. This member also provides a means to control the pace of 
the bumper pool game by controlling the amount of spring and rebound 
action permitted to the pool balls which strike the disclosed bumper. 
Lower cushion 29 acts as a soft cushioning pad which will be disposed 
directly against the top surface of the pool table as previously 
mentioned. The hub adjustment member is disposed in contact with this soft 
pad (lower cushion) by means of a clearance hole provided in the playing 
surface through which post portion 32 extends. Advancement of the wing nut 
on the threaded rod axially compresses the adjustment member as the hub is 
drawn tight against the playing surface. The greater the degree of 
compression the more rigid member 30 becomes, thereby increasing the 
rigidity of the bumper and the action of the balls. 
As previously mentioned, this particular bumper, though likely applicable 
in a number of different applications, not limited simply to pool or 
bumper pool, is in the exemplary embodiment intended for outdoor use. 
Consequently, material selection is critical, and once those material 
selections are made, the mounting and assembly techniques are limited. For 
example, it is known that silicone rubber is likely the only material 
suitable for use outdoors over a wide range of temperatures while 
remaining flexible and resilient over a period of prolonged outdoor use. 
However, one difficulty with silicone rubber is that it is difficult to 
assemble it to other objects using conventional techniques. Glue is 
usually not suitable and consequently when components are made of silicone 
rubber, they must be utilized and assembled by alternate approaches. This 
is one reason for the snap-fit approach of the present invention. Both the 
upper and lower cushion being made of silicone rubber are each configured 
so as to snap into position on the center support hub. There are no 
mechanical fasteners used at this location nor any glue or similar 
attachment techniques. The entire assembly of these two cushion members to 
the center support hub is done in a manual snap-fit fashion and it is the 
specific dimensioning and contouring of the various component parts which 
lends to the suitability of this approach and the suitability of the final 
assembly for the intended purpose of a bumper for a bumper pool table. 
It has been found that the upper cushion should have a durometer of 
approximately 50 while the lower cushion and the hub adjustment member 
should have a durometer of approximately 30. The center support hub is 
constructed of a rigid plastic and as such is suitable for outdoor use. 
The only components that might be questionable as far as their suitability 
for outdoor use are the threaded rod, flat washer and wing nut which are 
of a metallic construction and thus could be susceptible to corrosion. One 
approach is to use corrosion-resistant or stainless steel fasteners, but 
even if noncorrosion-resistant materials are used, these components are 
well protected from the environment due to their placement interior of the 
center support hub and below the pool table playing surface wherein access 
to those parts is suitably sealed by the pressure of the lower cushion 
against the top portion of the playing surface. 
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the 
drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as 
illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that 
only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all 
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are 
desired to be protected.