Abstract:
A system to allow quick setup of a support structure and connected playing surface with rapid leveling of the playing surface for playing billiards. One embodiment of the invention allows the playing surface to be mounted to a support structure that can be converted to a couch. This embodiment can be placed in residential housing in rooms such as dens, family rooms, or living rooms. Another embodiment of the invention allows the playing surface when mounted to legs rigidly connected to a floor to be used on a concrete patio, a garage with a concrete floor or on a wooden deck.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to billiard tables and, more particularly, is concerned with a device to accelerate the assembly and leveling of a playing surface and support structure therefor so that billiards may be played on the playing surface. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Various types of pool tables have been described in the prior art. However, none of the prior art discloses the unique features of the present invention. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,973, dated Oct. 21, 1975, to Mentz, et al disclosed a combination pool table and couch. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 786,693, dated Apr. 4, 1905 to Stone disclosed a convertible sofa and table. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,021, dated Oct. 26, 1976, to Grover disclosed a game table. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,945 dated Jun. 17, 1975, to Ellis disclosed a billiard table with accessories. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 816,616, dated Apr. 3, 1906, to Stone disclosed a convertible sofa and table. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,265, dated Mar. 16, 1999, to Benton disclosed a vertically storable and self-leveling billiard table. 
   While these pool tables may be suitable for the purposes in which they were designed, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention discloses a system to allow quick setup of a support structure and connected playing surface with rapid leveling of the playing surface for playing billiards. One embodiment of the invention allows the playing surface to be mounted to a support structure that can be converted to a couch. This embodiment can be placed in residential housing in rooms such as dens, family rooms, or living rooms. Another embodiment of the invention allows the playing surface when mounted to legs rigidly connected to a floor to be used on a concrete patio, a garage with a concrete floor or on a wooden deck. 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a device suitable for a space that is occupied by a conventional heavy billiard table in a house which can be quickly made available for other uses by quick disconnection and easy storage of the playing surface with the supporting structure being used as a couch. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that uses a support structure rigidly connected to the floor which enables quick setup for the game of billiards on a wooden deck or concrete floor. The support structure which consists of four legs and two supporting members can be stored on a wall along with the lightweight playing surface. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that can be quickly leveled using a leveling system that is manual or electrically-assisted. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for a set of billiard balls already racked in a triangular rack and placed in a surrounding triangular storage container which speeds up the time required to attain readiness for play. To place the billiard balls onto the playing surface simply pull the rack out of the storage container and place the balls in the required position for play. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for a couch support structure, readily accessible cue storage being provided that negates the necessity for wall mounted cue storage. Thus the cues, billiard balls already racked, cue ball, and chalk are stored directly on-board the couch structure. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8A  is a sectional view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8B  is a sectional view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14B  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional elevation view of portions of the present invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the present invention along with a schematic diagram of a portion of the present invention. 
   

   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
   With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  present invention     12  room     14  wall     16  couch     18  back support     20  playing surface     21  pockets     22  connecting bolt     23  threaded portion     24  aperture     26  caster     28  leveler     30  storage     32  cue holes     34  plug     36  hand hole     37  upper member     38  wall mounting fixtures     39  lower member     40  stand alone leg     42  base     44  elongated member     46  axle     48  nut     50  2×4/lumber clamp     52  leg crimp     54  T-shaped connector     56  axle     58  aperture     60  threaded rod     62  weld     64  fastener     66  hole     68  concrete floor     70  threaded lead insert     71  hand bolt     72  wood deck     74  threaded plate     76  2×4/lumber support     78  container     80  lid     82  container     84  flap     86  rack     88  pool balls     90  futon/mattress     92  end member     94  threaded aperture     96  center support     98  threaded hole     100  threaded rod     102  threaded nut     104  hand bolt     106  chalk     108  cue ball     110  end cap     111  washer     112  cotter pin     113  viewing hole     114  metal plate     116  knob     118  threaded rod     120  steel tube     122  pipe     124  plug     126  guide     128  plug     130  washer     132  weld     134  threaded nut     136  washer     138  cotter pin     140  end plug     142  aperture     144  motor     146  gear box     148  collar     150  pendulum     152  level sensor     154  electrode     156  electrode     158  battery     160  coil     162  relay     164  contact     166  battery     168  relay     170  battery     172  terminal     174  terminal     176  ground       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.  FIGS. 1-18  illustrate the present invention wherein a system for accelerated assembly and leveling of a billiard playing surface and support surface therefor is disclosed. 
   Billiard tables are characteristically constructed of heavy materials because the playing surface and its supporting structure must be very stable in order for the table to be unaffected by bumping of the table by the player&#39;s body or by movement induced to the table by the balls hitting the rails. Ideally, there is no motion imparted to the billiard balls as the result of movement or vibration of the supporting structure. A heavy billiard table must be placed in the space where play occurs and remain in the same space when the table is not being used for play. This is because of the unwieldy and difficult task of moving the heavy billiard table. Individuals with very large homes can afford the luxury of having enough space to dedicate permanently that space required for a heavy billiard table. However, many individuals cannot afford the luxury of dedicating so much space to a billiard table. This invention is primarily intended for use by those individuals who must utilize the space required for a billiard table for other activities when the table is not being used. 
   With the advent of the fabrication of lightweight playing surfaces using composite materials such as foam for a core and fabric/epoxy or aluminum skins, a playing surface that is much less in weight than slate or heavy materials that imitate slate can be realized. Unlike a heavy playing surface, the composite playing surface may be lifted by two humans with relative ease and moved from its storage space to the space where the playing surface enables the game of billiards to be played. In order to achieve the required stability, the playing surface must be connected to a heavy support structure or connected to a structure that is rigidly connected to the floor. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown therein is the interior of a room  12  having a wall  14  thereon. Also shown is couch  16  with a removable back support  18  having the removable playing surface  20  disposed on wall  14 . Couch  16  has a front side, a back side and a pair of opposite ends or arms. Also shown are a pair of connecting hand bolts  22  which are mounted through apertures  24  on each end of the playing surface  20  for insertion into and attachment to the ends of the couch  16 .  FIG. 1  shows the playing surface removed from couch  16  with back support  18  on the couch.  FIG. 2  shows the playing surface  20  being attached to the couch  16  having back support  18  removed therefrom. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , shown therein is shown a couch  16  having playing surface  20  thereon having a plurality of conventionally placed pockets  21  along with connecting hand bolts  22 . Playing surface  20  is generally rectangular having a front side, a rear side and a pair of ends corresponding to the sides of the couch  16  and an upper and lower surface wherein billiards are played on the upper surface. Also shown are multiple casters on each corner of the couch  16  along with a leveler  28  disposed at each corner of the couch. Also shown is the rear side of the couch in  FIG. 5  showing a storage area for a rack and ball container  30 , multiple slotted cue holders  32 , a male three prong plug  34  to accept an extension cord along with a hand hole  36  needed to adjust the center support  96  having a portion thereof pass through the hand hole which center supports are located in about the middle of the front and back sides of the couch  16  and also showing end member  92  on each end having a threaded aperture  94  therein. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , shown therein is the wall mounting fixtures  38  being a pair thereof which are used for receiving the playing surface  20  therein between the mounts  38  which are mounted onto the wall as previously disclosed. Each mount  38  has an upper member  37  with a downwardly disposed protrusion thereon and a lower member with an upwardly disposed protrusion thereon wherein a side of the playing surface is removably placed in the upper and lower protrusions. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 8-10 , shown therein are the stand alone legs  40  having a base  42 , multiple elongated members or legs  44 , a hollow axle  46 , adjusting nut  48  and an upwardly disposed U-shaped lumber or 2×4 clamp  50 . Metal plate  114  with aperture  115  therein spans viewing hole  113  allowing hand bolt  71  to be visually aligned with either threaded insert  70  or threaded plate  74 . It can be seen that the legs  44  have a metal tubing crimped flat on one end  52  and a T-shaped connector  54  on the other end which connects the metal conduit tube to the base  42  by fitting into a slot in the tube. Adjusting nut  48  with hollow axle  56  fits in the aperture  58  of axle  46 . The 2×4 clamp  50  also has a ¾″ rod  60  thereon. Washer  111  fits around hollow axle  56  and cotter pin  112  fits into aperture  66  to prohibit vertical movement of hollow axle  56 .  FIG. 8A  shows a cross section of 2×4 clamp  50  having a threaded rod  60  thereon with welds  62  and a horizontally disposed adjusting locking fastener  64 .  FIG. 8B  is a cross section of adjusting nut  48  showing the end  56  and a hole  66  for receiving a cotter pin.  FIG. 9A  shows the stand-alone leg  40  disposed on a concrete floor  68  having a hand bolt  71  connected to a threaded lead insert  70  for attachment to the floor.  FIG. 9B  also shows the leg assembly  40  attached to a wooden deck  72  having a hand bolt  71  connected to a threaded plate  74  for attachment to the deck.  FIG. 10  shows the legs  40  positioned as they would be on a concrete floor  68  or a wood deck  72  placed in position with 2×4 clamps  50  for receiving the 2×4 horizontal supports as herein disclosed. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , shown therein are the leg members  40  having the horizontal lumber supports  76  mounted thereon to clamps  50  so that the underside of playing surface  20  can be placed on the lumber supports and using connecting bolts  22  for attaching the playing surface to the lumber supports. Lumber supports  76  may be 2×4 pieces of lumber. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , shown therein is a chalk and cue ball container  78  with lid  80  open ( FIG. 13A ) with attached rack and ball container  82  having the flap  84  open ( FIG. 13B ) for receiving a rack  86  with the balls  88  therein. The purpose of this is to allow the rack  86  to have a pre-prepared set of billiard balls  88  for placement in the container  82  so they can be deployed quickly onto a leveled playing surface. The cue ball  108  may be quickly retrieved from the cue ball container  78  with accompanying chalk  106  readily available for the tips of the cues.  FIG. 13A  shows the lid  80  open along with chalk  106  and cue ball  108 , and  FIG. 13B  shows the lid closed. Container  82  is sized and shaped as rack  86  and containers  78  and  82  are attached. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 14-16 , shown therein is  14 A showing the front of couch  16 , back  18  (this may be a foldable hinged back support), and having a futon or mattress  90  thereon, i.e., a futon as used herein generally refers to a mattress-like member for providing a substantially flat surface for sleeping thereon, wherein the couch has an end member  92  on each end for receiving a hand bolt at aperture  94 .  FIG. 14B  shows a center support member  96  having threaded holes  98  spaced apart therein along with a rotatable threaded rod  100 , threaded nut  102 , and vertically adjustable end cap  110  which member  96  is attached to the couch  16  when the couch is used to support the playing surface. The playing surface  20  is attached using the connecting hand bolts  22  with threaded portion  23  passing through aperture  24  into receiving member  92  on the couch  16  wherein the aperture  94  receives the threaded portion of the connecting hand bolt  22 . The center supports  96  are shown attached to opposing sides, i.e., front and rear sides, of the couch  16  using hand bolts  104  for being connected to the front and rear sides of couch  16  about midway between the ends of the couch. The playing surface  20  with connecting hand bolts  22  is attached to the upper portion of couch  16  using the hand bolts  22  which pass through apertures  24  into the couch for attachment to the member  92  on the couch  16 . Center supports  96  having vertically adjustable end caps  110  thereon are then used to steady playing surface  20  on couch  16  by having the end caps contact the bottom surface of the playing surface  20 .  FIG. 15  shows the hinged back support  18  folded down so as to lie flat on the futon when the couch  16  is being used to support the playing surface  20 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 17 , therein is shown the cross-sectional view of leveler  28  showing knob  116 , which is rotated by hand being connected to one end of threaded rod  118 , which is mounted and installed in steel tube  120 . Shown is schedule  40  pvc pipe  122 , or like, machined to fit inside steel tube  120 , along with a plastic or wood end plug  124 , which fits inside the pvc pipe. Also shown is a guide  126  which prevents the pvc pipe  122  from rotating, which guide runs in a slot in the steel tube  120 . Also shown is a plastic or wood plug  128  inside pipe  122  having a washer  130  thereon welded at  132  to a threaded nut  134 . Also shown are mating washers  136  and cotter pins  138  which hold rod  118  inside the upper end plug/seal  140 , which seal has an aperture  142  therein through which rod  118  extends. It should be understood that when a user rotates knob  116 , which turns rod  118 , that the inner pvc pipe  122  is moved vertically inside steel tube  120  which is attached to the end or corner of the couch  16 . This thereby levels the playing surface  20  mounted on couch  16  to which leveler  28  is attached. 
   Turning to  FIG. 18 , therein is shown the leveler  28  having a dc motor  144  attached to a gear box  146  on the upper end of leveler  28 . The elements of the leveler  28  include washer  136 , collar  148 , steel tube  120 , threaded rod  118 , pvc pipe  122 , plastic or wood plug  124 , washer  130 , weld  132 , guide  126 , and end plug  140 , all of which are substantially similar to the corresponding elements of the leveler  28  as shown in  FIG. 17 . Essentially the leveler  28  of  FIG. 17  is equipped with a gear box  146  and dc motor  144  rotatably connected to rod  118  as shown in  FIG. 18 . While a dc motor and circuit are disclosed an ac motor and circuit could also be used. Also shown is an exemplary schematic circuit for an automatic direct current motor-driven leveler  28  which includes dc motor  144  which motor-driven leveler is controlled with the exemplary circuit disclosed in  FIG. 18 . The motor  144  is activated when the pendulum  150  (i.e., an electrical conductor), which is disposed in the level sensor  152  which is mounted on or operationally connected to playing surface  20  or couch  16 , touches either plate electrode  154  or plate electrode  156 . The pendulum is an electrical conductor. When the pendulum  150  touches  154  battery  158  provides a current through the coil  160  in electrical relay  162  which in turn closes contact  164  in the relay which causes battery  166  to send a current to the dc motor  144  terminal  172  which causes clockwise rotation. The dc motor  144  shaft rotation in the counter-clockwise direction is obtained when pendulum  150  contacts plate electrode  156  which causes a current to flow in the coil of relay  168  resulting in a current through battery  170  flowing to the terminal  174  of the dc motor  144 . Neutral/ground terminal  176  is also shown. The dc motor  144  has no rotation when the pendulum  150  moves to an intermediate position (i.e. indicating a level condition) wherein the pendulum does not contact either electrode  154  or  156 .