Abstract:
A pocket structure for assembly between two adjacent rail members of a pool table comprising a pocket defining insert having non-circular pin means extending from opposite ends thereof that fit and bind in apertures in the rail members to snugly secure them together in the desired position when the rail members are secured to a pool table frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a structure used for assembling rail members together to form a pool table. 
     In the past, a pool table has included a part called an insert or iron which is assembled between two adjacent rail members of a pool table. The iron is usually enclosed in a molded decorative cover and a pocket is secured to the table beneath the iron. 
     Currently, the pocket insert has included opposite end pins which are inserted into mating holes in the ends of the adjacent rail members. In order to hold the pins securely in the mating holes, it is necessary to drill and tap transverse apertures in the pins. These apertures will line up with apertures which have been drilled in the bottom surfaces of the rail members for receiving screws. It is the current practice that the screws be inserted and the apertures drilled on the bottom side of the rail members for aesthetic reasons. Thus, it has been necessary to turn the rail members and insert upside down during assembly so that the screws can be inserted. 
     When the entire rectangular assembly has been completed, the assembly is turned right side up. 
     The resulting rectangular frame which must be turned right side up, requires the strength of two men to manipulate it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a unique pocket insert which can be securely assembled with the rail members while the rectangular frame is right side up. Thus, the need for two men to turn over the frame has been eliminated. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pocket structure that secures the rail members of a pool table without the need for separate fasteners. Consequently, the need for drilling apertures in the pin means and rail member is no longer required. This causes a significant reduction in the time and money needed to assemble a pool table. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The organization and manner of operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pool table incorporating the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view, also in perspective, showing the manner of engagement between a pocket insert structure and the associated rail members; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the assembled pocket in place; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 3 showing a modified form of the invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a pool table 4, which is comprised of a plurality of sets of adjacent rail members 20, 22, which fit together to form a rectangular frame 6 adapted to be positioned on a frame 7 of the table. Pocket inserts 8 constructed in accordance with the present invention are fitted between each pair of rail members 20, 22 in the manner described in detail below. The pocket inserts are provided at the sides and corners of the table and are essentially identical except for the differences in shape of the side and corner pockets. 
     FIG. 2 shows the innovative pocket insert 10 which comprises a body 11 of the desired shape and opposite laterally extending end pins 12 and 14 having flanges 16 and 18. Adjacent rail members 20 and 22 are formed with apertures or bores 24 and 26 respectively including intersecting slots 28 and 30 extending from bottom surfaces of the rail members for receiving the pins 12 and 14 respectively. The apertures 24 and 26 are slightly larger than the pin means 12 and 14 and the slots 28 and 30 are slightly wider than the flanges 16 and 18, but the dimensions are such as to provide a snug fit. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, each flange 16 and 18 is parallel to an upstanding plane which is inclined at a small angle 33 with the vertical axis. The slot 30 in the adjacent rail member 22 is vertical. Consequently, when the flange 18 is inserted into the slot 30, a side or interference or abutment surface 19 of the flange 18 will bind with a side or interference or abutment surface 31 of the slot 30 when the parts are finally secured to the frame 7 of the table as described below. 
     The friction caused by the interference of the flange 18 and the slot 30, at varying angles, will serve to securely bind the pocket insert 10 with respect to the rail member 22. The pin 12, flange 16, bore 24 and slot 28 are formed in the same manner to provide an interference fit for securing the pocket insert and rail member 20 with respect to each other. 
     During assembly of the structure of the present invention, the rail members may first be loosely arranged right side up and in a rectangular pattern on top of the table frame 7. Then the pocket inserts 10 may be easily assembled between each pair of adjacent rail members simply by inserting the pins 12 and 14 into the mating bores 24 and 26. Finally, the rail members are tightly drawn down against and secured with respect to the table frame 7 by a plurality of screws 34 as shown in FIG. 6. The screws 34 are spaced around the table frame in a known manner. 
     When the installation is complete, the interfering surfaces 19 and 31 of the pin means flanges and slot portions of the complementary openings in the rail members are urged into tight engagement to promote a rigid connection between the pocket insert and the rail members. It is to be understood that the pin means and complementary rail member openings could be formed with other non-circular or polygonal cross-sectional configurations for presenting interfering surfaces and locking the inserts 8 against rotation or turning around the axes of the pins. Furthermore, the axes of the pins 12 and 14 and of the bores 24 and 26 may be inclined slightly relative to each other to provide interfering surfaces along their length to further enlarge the rigidity of the final assembly. This modification is shown in FIG. 4. 
     As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, when the rail member 20 is finally firmly secured, the flanges 16 and 18 will be forced toward a vertical position. As a result, the body 11 of the pocket insert 10 will be inclined upward, as desired, two or three degrees relative to the horizontal plane of the rail members. 
     As seen in FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention in which elements corresponding to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals with the suffix &#34;a&#34; added. In this embodiment, the pin means 14a has ribs 36 provided on one side of its flange 18a for obtaining the desired thickness of the flange. The flange of the pin not shown corresponding to the pin 12 and flange 16 is also provided with the ribs 36. The use of the ribs 36 reduces the area of surface contact for facilitating initial insertion of the flanges 16a and 18a in the slots while still providing for an interference fit in the final assembly. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, many changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.