GB2145338A - Rotatable half-length snooker table - Google Patents

Abstract

The table 1 comprises a playing surface of full width but being only a fraction greater than one half full length which is mounted on a supporting base 2 so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane when the table is in use. A brake 13, which may comprise an upwardly urged rod bearing a tooth 16 for engagement in one of a ring of shots or a friction pad bearing upon a disc, is released to permit rotation of the table via a conventional turntable. The supporting legs 3 may be folded under the playing surface and the base 2 may be pivotable about points 6 and 7 so that the table may be swung up and stowed vertically. Extension pieces 18 may be provided to allow a player to obtain support when playing a long shot along a cushion. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Table This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to tables for use in playing snooker, billiards, pool and so forth.

A full size snooker table measures 12 foot by 6 foot and is too large to fit conveniently into most rooms of most houses especially when account is taken of the floor area needed around the perimeter of the table to afford a player sufficient space to position himself for shots. Various 'miniature' tables are available in which the size of both the table and the walls is scaled down from full size. The three most common sizes of 'miniature' table are 5 foot by 21/2 foot, 6 foot by 3 foot and 7 foot by 31/2 foot being, respectively, 5/12, 1/2 and 7/12 full size.

Irrespective of the size of the table, there is a need for a substantial amount of 'player positioning' space around the perimeter so that, even miniature tables do not fit readily into most living and bedrooms. Additionally, because of the need for 'player positioning' space, snooker tables, whether they be full size or miniature, need to be located in a central position of a room which generally restricts the usefulness of the room for anything other than the playing of snooker.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a table suitable for playing snooker with affords a player the opportunity to play most of the shots that one would play on a complete playing surface but which takes up a much reduced amount of space and requires a much reduced amount of player positioning space as compared with a conventional snooker table.

According to the invention there is provided a snooker table which comprises a playing surface of full width but being only a fraction greater than one half full length which is mounted on a supporting base so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane when the table is in use.

The invention provides a table which may be a substitute for both full size and miniature snooker tables. Thus, if a snooker table in accordance with the invention is intended to provide an alternative to a 5/12th size miniature table the term 'full width' used in the preceding paragraph means 2 foot 6 inches and if it is intended to provide an alternative to a full size table, the terms means 6 foot and so forth.

Much of the play in a game of snookertakes place close to the cluster of red balls. Atable in accordance with the invention allows the blue, pink, black and cluster of reds to be spotted so that a player may then play or practice most of the shots that would be encountered in a normal game. However, for further play or practice, the yellow, green, brown and blue may be spotted and the playing surface would then be the equivalent of that part of a conventional snooker table which includes the starting semicircle.

A major advantage of the present invention is in providing an alternative to a full size snooker table.

Hitherto only miniature tables have been available as an alternative and practice on such tables has little relevance to play on a full size table. For example, on miniature tables, there are far more shots from positions close to a cushion since even with a 7/12 size table the cue ball can never be more than 21 inches from a cushion. Moreover, tables are less sturdy than full size tables and cannot be leant on heavily which, again, drives a player to use a different technique on a miniature table to a full size one.

Atable in accordance with the invention in which 'full width' is equal to 6 foot does not have the disadvantages discussed above which attend miniature tables. Thus there is no reduction in the scale of the playing area and the table is sturdy and robust. It therefore has the 'feel' of a full size table. Additionally, a snooker table in accordance with the invention enables a playerto play all of his shots from one position merely by rotating the table. Hence, a normal sized or even small room may accommodate such a table and afford the player substantially the same scope for practice as he would have from a full size table located in a snooker hall.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the table is collapsible and, for example, any supporting legs may be folded under it so that it may be easily stored away. However, the supporting base may be hingedly connected to or hingedly mounted close to a wall so that the table can be swung up and stowed vertically in much the same fashion as a foldaway bed.

Thus, a snooker table in accordance with the invention may be housed in a custom built shallow cupboard on one wall in which cues, rests and other playing equipment could be stored and so occupy little more space than a book case when not in use.

In order that the invention may be well understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1: is a perspective view of a snooker table in accordance with the invention in position for play.

Figure 2: is a side view of the snooker table shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3: is a side view of the snooker table shown in Figure 1 collapsed and stowed away.

Figures 4a and 4b: show an additional feature of the invention in which the snookertable is provided with rear end extension pieces which may be folded out to enable a player to play shots along the cushion.

Figure 5: is an enlarged view of part of Figure 2 which shows the brake mechanism with which the table is fitted.

Figure 6: is an enlarged view of the underside of the table shown in Figure 1 in which the brake and part of the means for allowing the table to be rotated in a horizontal plane are shown.

Figure 7: is an enlarged front view of the table shown in Figure 1 showing the location of a recessed spirit level.

Figure 8: is an enlarged view of one of the adjustable feet with which the table is provided and Figure 9: is a view from above of the table shown in Figure 1.

A snooker table 1 is provided with a playing surface of full (6 foot) width but measuing only 7 foot in length. The blue, pink and black spots are marked and the playing surface extends a foot beyond the blue spot toward the starting semi-circle. The playing surface is mounted on a supporting base 2 shown in Figure 2 and is rotatable in a horizontal plane.

The supporting base 2 stands on two corner legs 3 and is further supported to by two fixed upright members 4 (only one of which may be seen in Figures 1 and 2) which, in turn, form part of the means by which the supporting base is attached to a wall. The table is collapsible in that legs 3 pivot about rod 5 (shown in Figure 2) and may be folded away and the supporting base as a whole pivots at points 6 and 7 so that the whole table may be swung up (with lug 8 transversing along slot 9) to reach the vertical, stowed-away, position shown in Figure 3.

In use, the stowed-away table is lowered to the position shown in Figure 1 and any adjustments for height are made using the adjustable feet 10 with which legs 3 are provided by reference to the front 11 and side 12 spirit levels. The blue, pink, black and red balls are positioned and play may be begun.

A range of shots are possible but if access to the table from one side is difficult or if it is desired to play a shot from a position that the wall might otherwise interfere with one must take advantage of the rotatable character of the invention.

Thus brake 13 is released and the playing surface may be rotated in a horizontal plane through any desired angle. In practice, the playing surface is rotated until a point is reached whereby, from the position at which he is standing, the player has comfortable access for his shot. Brake 13 is then reapplied. Play may be continued until the next occasion is reached where access for a shot is inadequate and the procedure of brake released, rotation and re-braking is followed. If desired, a player may play all of his shots from one position merely by rotating the table.

The brake 13 and braking mechanism may be of a conventional design. In the embodiment illustrated a rod 14 is urged by a spring 15 upwardly so that a tooth 16 engages a slot 17. However, a friction brake (for example one in which a pad bears upon a disc) could be employed. Downward pressure on rod 14 releases the brake and the means for achieving horizontal rotation of the playing surface may comprise a conventional turntable.

The table shown in the drawings has the additional feature of extension pieces 18 which are shown in greater detail in Figures 4a and 4b. Figure 4a shows an extension piece folded away while Figure 4b shows it folded out. Use of an extension piece allows a player to obtain support so as to play a long shot along a cushion.

The invention has been described principally with reference to snooker tables but it will be appreciated that, since billiards and pool are played on the same playing surface as snooker, the invention is of equal relevance and applicability of billiards and pool tables.

Claims (4)

1. A snooker table which comprises a playing surface of full width but being only a fration greater than one half full length which is mounted on a supporting base so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane when the table is in use.

2. Atable according to claim 1 in which any supporting legs may be folded under the playing surface so that the table may be easily stored away.

3. A table according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the supporting base is hingedly connected to or hingedly mounted close to a wall so that the table may be swung up and stowed vertically.

4. Atableforuse in playing snooker, billiards, pool and so forth substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.