Patent Publication Number: US-2012034986-A1

Title: Corner assembly for use with pool tables

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a low profile pool table corner assembly and more particularly, to a flush mounted corner assembly adapted to be secured to the side rails of a pool table. 
     Pool or pocket billiards is a cue sport game played on a table with six receptacles or pockets positioned and located along the side rails into which pool balls are deposited as the main goal of play. There are many different sizes and styles of pool tables but all include four corner pockets and two side pockets. In this regard, the bed or playing surface of the pool table is provided with a cut-out portion for each of the corner pockets and for the two side pockets. The rails of the pool table are cut to provide gaps adjacent each of the cut-out portions and each rail includes a cushioned portion which provides a consistent bounce to the pool balls as they strike the side rails. A corner assembly is then mounted in the gaps associated with the four corner pockets positioned to receive a pool ball which falls through the cut-out portion and into the pocket. 
     The prior art corner assembly  100  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  requires a corner casting member  102  which is usually made of a durable metal material and is provided with a pair of mounting flanges  104  and  106  ( FIG. 3 ) which are mounted at the ends of the rail members  108  and  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The end wall portions  112  and  114  of the corner casting member  102  are mounted on the support flanges  116  and  118  extending from the bottom portion of the rail members  108  and  110  toward the corner casting member  102 . The corner casting member  102  includes two cylindrical projections  120  and  122  ( FIG. 3 ) positioned and located for engagement with the respective apertures  124  and  126  formed in the support flanges  116  and  118  of the rail members  108  and  110 . A bolt or other fastening member  128  and  130  is insertably received and tightened from the bottom surface through the respective apertures of the support flanges  116  and  118 , and then into the respective apertures  132  and  134  defined in the projections  120  and  122 . The prior art corner casting member  102  is mounted to the ends of the rail members  108  and  110  and the pocket member  136  is then attached to the corner casting member  102  so that it is supported in the correct position to receive a pool ball played into the pocket  136  during play. 
     The top flanges  104  and  106  of the prior art corner casting member  102  extend from and overhand both opposite end wall portions  112  and  114  and extend toward the terminal edge portions  138  and  140  of the rail members  108  and  110 . Once the prior art corner casting member  102  is positioned and located for attachment to the adjacent side rail members  108  and  110  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the overhanging top flanges  104  and  106  of the casting member  102  overlap and lie on top of the top surface of the rail members  108  and  110  as best illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The surface at the intersection of the distal ends of the top flanges  104  and  106  and the top surface of the rail members  108  and  110  are not flush, but instead are raised or uneven because the top flanges  104  and  106  sit on top of the top surface of the rail members  108  and  110 . The conventional prior art corner casting member  102  thus forms a raised or uneven surface or joint  142  and  144  at their respective joinder intersections as best illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In addition, when the pocket member  136  is attached to the corner casting member  102 , the lip portion  146  likewise rests upon the top surface of the casting member  102  and forms an additional raised or uneven surface along the entire extent of the pocket lip portion  146 . 
     While such prior art corner casting members are suitable for the purposes just described, the raised joints  142  and  144  and the raised pocket lip portion  146  are not ideal for play from the respective corners. In this regard, it is generally recognized that success in pool games or billiards depends upon the player&#39;s ability to direct the cue ball to a desired region of the playing surface so as to strike an object ball in a certain manner to direct the object ball to one of the pool pockets. Thus, aligning and aiming of the cue stick with respect to the cue ball is important to achieve the desired movement of the object ball. The raised joints  142  and  144  and the raised lip pocket portion  146  can interfere with and hinder the cue stick alignment process when shooting from the corner of the pool table. More particularly, these raised surfaces cause the cue stick to be positioned and located higher than normal when shooting over the corer casting member  102 , and the raised corner joints  142 ,  144  and  146  can cause damage to the cue stick. In addition, the uneven surfaces of the corner joints likewise cause pool players to make more difficult angle shots, particularly when the cue ball needs to be struck near its lower surface. All of these factors increase the complexity of any shot from the corner of the pool table. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a corner casting member which can be mounted flush with the top surface of the rail members. It is desirable to provide a corner casting member which will enable the lip portion of the pocket member to be mounted flush with the top surface of the corner casting member. It is further desirable to provide an improved and secure attachment of the corner casting member to the rail members. 
     In an effort to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the present invention provides a corner casting member which is mounted flush with the top surface of the rail members. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to various embodiments of a low profile corner assembly for use with pool tables wherein the corner casting member includes a mounting flange positioned flush with the top surfaces of the adjacent rail members. The present corner assembly also allows the pocket member to be positioned flush with the top surface of the corner casting member. The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art corner assemblies discussed above and teaches the construction and operation of a corner assembly adaptable for use with a wide variety of different types of pool tables wherein the corner casting member is fitted flush with and between a respective pair of rail members. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the present corner assembly includes a corner casting member having two rail engaging sections for securing the corner casting member to specifically formed adjacent rail members. The two rail engaging sections associated with each corner casting member include means for securing the present corner casting member to the adjacent rail members, each rail engaging section having a mounting flange for mating with a corresponding recessed portion formed on the top edge of the adjacent rail member. The mounting flanges extend horizontally and outwardly from the terminal end walls associated with the present corner casting member toward the adjacent rail members and are positioned and located for being received into the corresponding recesses formed and positioned on the top surface of the respective adjacent rail members such that the upper surface of the present corner casting member is positioned flush with the top surface of the adjacent rail members. This smooth and even surface joinder of the present corner casting member and the adjacent rail members improves a player&#39;s ability to aim and align the cue stick when shooting near the corner assembly. 
     The present corner casting member further includes a pair of planar ribs associated respectively with each of two cylindrical projections which are likewise positioned and located for mating with respective apertures formed in the support flanges associated with the adjacent rail members. Each pair of planar ribs extend radially outwardly from each of the cylindrical projections and are positioned and located in substantially perpendicular relationship to each other to provide additional support to the cylindrical projections. In one aspect of the present invention, a protrusion or spike member extends vertically downward from the center of the top edge portion of each rib for mating with and engaging the top surface of the support flanges associated with the adjacent rail members. The corner casting member is further secured in place with the adjacent rail members when the protrusions or spike members engage the corresponding support flanges, thereby providing additional rigidity to the overall corner assembly and further facilitating attachment of the corer casting member to the adjacent rail members. 
     The present corner casting member likewise includes a recessed portion for receiving the lip portion of the pocket member for allowing the pocket member to be mounted flush with the top surface of the corner casting member. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective cut-away view of a conventional prior art corner casting member attached to the adjacent side rail members of a conventional pool table. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the conventional prior art corner casting member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective cut-away view of a corner casting member attached to the adjacent side rail members of a conventional pool table constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the present corner casting member of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the present corner casting member of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the present corner casting member of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded partial perspective view of a portion of the present corner casting member prior to attachment to one of the side rail members showing the present protrusions or spike members constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various Figures designate like or similar parts or structure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is generally embodied in a pool table and pertains to an improved low profile corner assembly which may be adapted for use with a wide variety of different types of pool tables. A conventional pool table is comprised of a plurality of adjacent rail members which fit together to form a rectangular frame adapted to be positioned on a supporting table structure. The pool table generally includes a bed or playing surface formed of slate or any other appropriate playing surface material which is supported on the table-like structure and typically is covered with an appropriate fabric or cloth material suitable for play. The rail members are mounted either to the playing surface or on a support frame for the playing surface with the free ends thereof forming a gap for receiving either the corner pocket assembly or the side pocket assembly. The corner assemblies constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention are fitted between each pair of adjacent rail members in a manner described in detail below. The present corner assemblies are provided at the four corners of the pool table. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 4-8  illustrate various views of one embodiment of a corner assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of the present corner assembly  10  shown mounted on the supporting flanges  12  and  14  which extend respectively from and are associated with the adjacent rail members  16  and  18 . The corner assembly  10  generally includes a corner casting member  20 , a pocket member  22  mounted on the inner semi-circular edge portion  24  of the casting member  20 , and two rail engaging sections  26  and  28  for securing the corner casting member  20  to the rail members  16  and  18 . As used herein, front, back, upper, lower and other position terms are used to describe the invention as oriented in  FIG. 5 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the corner casting member  20  is generally of a unitary, arcuate, rigid structure and includes an upper surface  30  of the desired shape, preferably a somewhat semi-circular or arcuate shape as illustrated, two terminal end walls  32  and  34  facing the adjacent rail members  16  and  18 , an outer wall  36 , and an inner semi-circular or arcuate wall  38  for engagement with a pocket member  22 . The upper surface  30  extends transversely outward and overhangs the terminal end walls  32  and  34  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the overhanging upper surfaces  30  forming the mounting flanges  42  and  44 . The top surface of the mounting flanges  42  and  44  is contiguous with the upper surface  30  of the corner casting member  20 . The upper surface  30  likewise includes a recessed portion  40  adjacent the inner semi-circular edge portion  24  for receiving the lip portion  74  of the pocket member  22  as will be hereinafter further explained. The end walls  32  and  34 , inner wall  38  and outer wall  36  form the outer peripheral circumference of the corner casting member  20 . As illustrated, the outer curved wall  36  of the corner casting member  20  extends through a 90° arc so that the terminal end walls  32  and  34  lie in substantially perpendicular planes. 
     The two opposite rail engaging sections  26  and  28  are provided to secure the corner casting member  20  to the rail members  16  and  18 , each rail engaging section having a corresponding mounting flange  42  and  44  for mating with the corresponding elongated recessed portions  46  and  48  formed on the top edge portion of the rail members  16  and  18  as best illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The underside portion of the rail engaging sections  28  and  28  likewise each include a corresponding cylindrical projection  50  and  52  for mating with the corresponding apertures  54  and  56  formed on the supporting flanges  12  and  14  associated with the rail members  16  and  18  as best shown in  FIG. 6 . In this regard, the rail members  16  and  18  are formed to include the notched supporting flanges  12  and  14 , the recessed portions  46  and  48 , and the apertures  54  and  56 . Each of the cylindrical projections  50  and  52  likewise includes an internal threaded bore  59  and  61  to receive and engage a threaded bolt or other threaded fastener such as the threaded members  51  and  53  ( FIG. 5 ) for attaching the corner casting member  20  to the rail members  16  and  18 . The cylindrical projections  50  and  52  each include an external smooth surface to be inserted into the corresponding apertures  54  and  56  on the supporting rail flanges  12  and  14 . When the rail engaging sections  26  and  28  of the corner casting member  20  are positioned and located on the supporting rail flanges  12  and  14  for attachment thereto, the cylindrical projections  50  and  52  are received into the apertures  54  and  56  and the overhanging mounting flanges  42  and  44  are received into the recessed portions  46  and  48  such that the upper surface  30  of the present corner casting member which includes the upper surface of the mounting flanges  42  and  44  mates flush with the top surface of the rail members  16  and  18  as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The inner curved wall  38  of the corner casting member  20  extends vertically downward from the upper surface  30  and forms a serpentine or wavy surface for mating with the pocket member  22 . Each of the adjacent rail members  16  and  18  is formed with a supporting flange  12  and  14  extending from the bottom portion of the rail member toward the corner casting member  20  as previously explained. The apertures  54  and  56  associated with the supporting flanges  12  and  14  are slightly larger than the cylindrical projections  50  and  52  so as to receive the same but the dimensions are such as to provide a snug fit. A threaded bolt or other threaded fastening member  51  and  53  is inserted through an optional washer member  55  and  57 , through the apertures  54  and  56  of the supporting rail flanges  12  and  14 , and then into the respective bores  59  and  61  formed in the center of the cylindrical projections  50  and  52 . Obviously, the corner casting member  20  can be shaped and dimensioned as necessary for engagement with various types of pool tables. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , each of the mounting flanges  42  and  44 , which are extensions of the upper surface  30 , extend horizontally toward the adjacent rail member  16  and  18  and overhang the terminal end walls  32  and  34  as previously explained. The mounting flanges  42  and  44  are fitted into the corresponding elongated recesses  46  and  48  of the rail members  16  and  18  such that the upper surface  30  of the corner casting member  20  is positioned flush with the top surface of the rail member  16  and  18 . The corner casting member  20  is then secured in place with the adjacent rail members  16  and  18  through the use of the threaded fastening members  51  and  53  as previously explained. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the cylindrical projections  50  and  52  include a pair of planar ribs  58  and  60 , and  62  and  64 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 , each pair of ribs extending radially outwardly from the corresponding projection in substantially perpendicular relationship to each other. One rib of each pair of planar ribs such as the ribs  58  and  62  extends from the cylindrical projections  50  and  52  to the inner surface of the curved inner wall  38  adjacent the terminal end portion of the arcuate inner wall  38 . An elongated protrusion or a spike member  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  extends from the center of the top edge portion of each rib  58 ,  60 ,  62  and  64  for mating with and engaging the top surface of the supporting rail flanges  12  and  14 . Since the rail members  16  and  18  are typically made of wood, the protrusions or spike members  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  are typically driven into the wooden top surface of the supporting rail flanges  12  and  14  as the corner casting member  20  is fastened and tightened into joinder with the rail members  16  and  18  through the use of the threaded fastening members  51  and  53 . Engagement of the spike members  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  with the supporting rail flanges  12  and  14  further rigidifies and secures the attachment of the corner casting member  20  to the rail members  16  and  18 . As a result, in this particular embodiment, both the fastening members  51  and  53 , and the spike members  66 ,  68 ,  70  and  72  provide attachment means for securing and maintaining the corner casting member  20  in the desired position when attached to the adjacent rail members. 
     While the pocket member  22  may be of any construction such as a sewn leather pocket having at least a lip portion for engaging the corner casting member  20 , the pocket member  22  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  represents a typical prior art pocket member which is of a one-piece molded synthetic construction. The pocket member  22  includes an outwardly extending lip portion  74  which, in the prior art corner casting arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , rested on top of the upper surface of the corner casting member. To alleviate this additional raised surface, the present corner casting member  20  includes a recessed area or portion  40  located adjacent the inner semi-circular or arcuate edge portion  24  for cooperatively receiving the lip pocket portion  74  when the pocket member  22  is placed in operative position within the casting member  20 . The curved inner wall  38  is shaped to conform to the conventional pocket member  22  and the recessed area  40  is shaped and dimensioned to receive the lip portion  74  such that the top surface of the lip pocket portion  74  lies flush with the upper surface  30  of the corner casting member  20  adjacent the edge portion  24  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This arrangement and construction eliminates the raised intersections  142 ,  144  and  146  illustrated in  FIG. 1  in association with the use of a prior art corner casting member such as the prior art casting member  102 . The present corner casting member  20  therefore provides a smooth, flush mating surface with both the adjacent rail members  16  and  18  and the pocket member  22  when the present corner casting member  20  is attached to the side rail members  16  and  18  and the pocket member  22  is attached in a conventional manner to the casting member  20 . 
     Due to the smooth and even surface fit of the present low profile corner assembly  10 , the present corner assembly  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  not only provides a highly pleasing aesthetic appearance to the pool table, the flush mounted corner assembly  10  also improves a player&#39;s ability to aim and align the cue stick near the corner assembly. 
     It is also recognized and anticipated that the overall dimensions of the present corner assembly as well as the specific shape and configuration of the present corner casting member  20  and the rail engaging sections  26  and  28  associated therewith are also subject to wide variations and may be sized and shaped into a wide variety of different sizes and configurations so as to be compatible with the size and shape of the particular pool table onto which the present structures may be mounted, or to conform with any space limitations associated therewith out impairing the teachings and practice of the present invention. 
     It is also understood that various modifications may be made to all of the various components comprising the present corner assembly  10  as well as the various embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel flush mounted low profile pool table corner assembly. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention and the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited solely to the embodiments shown herein. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by this disclosure.