Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
BILLIARD ACCESSORY HOLDER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an integrated billiard accessory holder for use by a
player
when playing the game of billiards. The invention finds particular application
as an
accessory holder which may be held on a key chain, strap, cable or the like
which may
be conveniently attached to a belt loop and hidden in the player's pocket
until such time
as an accessory is needed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pool or billiards is a game enjoyed by many enthusiasts by those who have a
moderate
amount of skill in playing the game. At times during the game it may be
necessary to
execute shots which require imparting spin on the cue ball. This is
accomplished by
hitting the cue ball or striking the cue ball off centre, to the left or to
the right of the
centre of gravity and/or above or below the centre of gravity. Such shots will
effectively impart left hand and right hand sides spin, over spin, or back
spin
respectively. It is therefore necessary for those moderately skilled at the
game to
maintain the tip of the cue (having a small felt circle disposed at the end
thereof) in a
clean lint-free state, and to ensure that the cleaned felt surface is properly
covered with
chalk. The player may therefore scrape the surface of the felt lightly with an
implement
such as a small pin knife blade or the like from time to Hme before placing
chalk on the
end of the tip. The chalk is normally found around a billiard table and often
where it
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was placed by the last user. A small scraping implement isn't always available
and one
may sometimes resort to a fingernail.
When playing in hot and humid conditions resulting from either the weather or
the
nature of the billiard parlor in which one plays, it is also an important
consideration to
keep one's hands as dry as possible. Often billiard parlors will therefore
provide
players with talcum powder in dispensers located around the parlor. Sometimes
this
convenience is not provided. Other conveniences for the players comfort may or
may
not be provided in the pool hall such as cigarette lighters, etc.
Referring to United States Patent No. 4,953,770 there is taught a clip on
chalk holder
which may be clipped to a convenient shirt pocket or the like by the user. It
is also
possible to affix such a clip with a chain or the like.
United States Patent No. 5,328,411 also teaches a very simple device for use
similar to
the aforementioned reference. For additional accessories they must be attached
in a
separate manner.
Design Patent No. 372,315 teaches a cue chalk container, and Design Patent No.
306,233
illustrates a key chain and article holder.
However, no where within the prior art of which I am aware, is there taught an
integrated holder for multiple accessories utilized with the game of playing
pool or
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adaptable to any game accessory holder whatsoever. This will be described
hereinafter
within the detailed descriptions.
It would therefore be advantageous if a holder could be provided for players
of various
activities, games, sports and the like, such as billiards for containing and
holding
various accessories utilized in the playing of the game.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an accessory holder for
a game such
as billiards which contains multiple accessories for use by a player.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an accessory holder for
the game of
playing billiards which takes the form of a novelty item such as a billiard
ball or the ball
of one's favourite sport which conveniently contains the accessories.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a holder which is
attractive and
compact.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a holder which in a
preferred
embodiment is conveniently held on the end of a chain, cable, leather strap,
fob or the
like for security purposes.
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Further and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the
art when considering the following summary of the invention and the more
detailed
description of the preferred embodiments illustrated herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a primary aspect of the invention, there is provided a holder for
at least
one accessory for the game of playing billiards, said holder comprising a
first and
second portion moveable in relation to one another between a first and a
second
position, wherein at said first position the holder is in a closed position
and at least one
accessory is not available to the player, wherein at the second position the
first and
second portions have moved with respect to one another and said at least one
accessory
is available to the player, said at least one accessory being selected from
the group of
accessories including; a chalk holding portion, a talcum powder dispensing
area, a
billiard cue felt tip scraping area, a cigarette lighter area, a watch
retaining area or any
other typical accessory for the game of playing billiards, wherein when the
player
wishes to use said at least one accessory, the first and second portions are
moved with
respect to one another to expose the desired accessory, and subsequent to the
use of
said accessory the player moves the first and second portions back to the
closed
position wherein the accessory is not available to the player. In a preferred
embodiment the holder for at least one accessory may be retained on a chain,
cable,
leather strap, or the like. Said holder may be attached via the chain, cable,
leather strap,
or the like to a player's keys or alternatively to a belt loop or button hole
to enable the
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accessory holder be retained in a player's pocket until the use thereof is
desired.
Preferably the first and second portions telescope with respect to one another
with the
first portion having a hollow therein for slideably retaining the second
portion;
preferably said second portion having the accessories disposed therewith.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a multiple
accessory
holder for billiards comprising a first portion and a second portion moveable
in relation
to one another, said first and second portions being moveable in relation to
one another
from a first closed position to a second open position whereat preferably all
the
accessories are available to a billiard player; the accessories being selected
from the
group of accessories including; a chalk holding portion, a talcum powder
dispensing
area, a billiard cue felt time scraping area, a cigarette lighter holder, a
watch holder or
any other typical accessory for the game of playing billiards. In one
embodiment the
chalk accessory may be available to the player either in the closed position.
The said
first and second portions may be moveable in relation to one another from the
closed to
the opened position by being slideable with respect to one another, for
example in a
telescoping fashion. When the sliding second portion is a cover being moveable
in
relation to the first portion, the cover is slideable in relation to said
first portion to make
the accessories available to the player.
The first and second portions in another embodiment may be hinged with respect
to
one another to enable movement of the first and second part being hinged to
one
another proximate the perimeter thereof, wherein said first and second
portions may be
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moved to the open position to make the accessories available to a player. (For
example,
in a clam shell like motion.)
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a holder
for multiple
accessories for a billiards player, said holder comprising a first and second
portion
being moveable in relation to one another and being hinged in relation to one
another
by a hinged portion connecting said first and second portions, said first and
second
portions being moveable between a first properly secured closed position and a
second
opened position where said accessories are available to the player, preferably
at the
closed position the first and second portions are secured to one another by a
clasp
selected from the group of securing devices including a magnetic latch, a
mechanical
latch, or the like, said multiple accessories being selected from the group of
accessories
including a chalk holding portion, a talcum powder dispensing area, a billiard
cue felt
tip scraping area, a cigarette lighter holder, a watch holder or any other
typical
accessory for the game of playing billiards, wherein said first and second
portions may
be pivoted in relation to one another to open the holder and render the
accessories
available to the billiard player, said holder preferably being retained by a
retaining
chain, cable, strap or the like, attached to said holder.
In a preferred embodiment the holder comprising the first and second portions
which
pivot in relation to one another resemble a billiard player's favourite
novelty sports
object, such as for example, a billiard ball, a pool ball, a tennis ball, a
baseball, a football,
a soccer ball, a golf ball, a fishing float, a beach ball, or the like.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Figure 1 is a schematic view in perspective of the billiard accessory holder
illustrated in
one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1A is an end view of the holder of Figure 1.
Figure 2 is another schematic perspective view of the billiard accessory
holder
illustrated in another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2A is a side view of the holder of Figure 2.
Figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the billiard accessory holder
in another
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3A is a schematic front view of the billiard accessory holder
illustrated in an
alternative embodiment of the invention.
Figures 4 and 4A are schematic side views of the billiard accessory holder
illustrated in
Figures 3 and 3A showing the details of the chalk holder accessory.
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Figures 5 and 5A are a schematic perspective view and a top view respectively
illustrating the talcum powder accessory holder and the felt tip scraper shown
in one
embodiment of the invention.
Figures 6 and 6A are side and top views of the holder with portions that
swivel in
relation to one another and further illustrating a latching member all shown
in
alternative embodiments of the invention.
Figure 6B is a schematic side view illustrating the retaining portion for the
billiard
accessory holder fastened by a threaded part to the holder body.
Figures 7 and 7A are schematic views of i) a two part retaining member and a
cable reel
retaining member fasted to an "8 ball" embodiment of the holder.
Figures SA through E are schematic illustrations of various embodiments the
invention
may take including a baseball, basketball, football, golf ball, and soccer
ball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring generally to the figures there is illustrated the billiard accessory
holder shown
schematically depicting the various forms that the accessory holder may take.
The
accessory holder therefore shown in Figure 1 includes generally the holder (5)
including
an outer portion (10) and an inner portion (20). Said inner portion (20) is
slideably
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received within an opening (11) of the outer portion (10). The inner portion
(20)
includes various billiard accessories for example a chalk holder wherein a
normally
shaped and sized chalk may be disposed or alternatively a chalk specifically
designed
for the dimensions of the accessory holder (10). The chalk accessory (21) is
disposed
within an opening (21A) having generally the same shape as the perimeter of
the chalk.
The holder (5) also includes within the inner portion (20) a talcum powder
compartment (23) which includes a salt and pepper style lid (23A) covering
compartment (23B) in which the talcum powder is disposed. The lid portion
(23A)
includes openings and is rotatable from a position wherein talcum powder may
be
dispensed to another position wherein the openings are closed. The holder (5)
within
inner portion (20) also includes a cue felt tip scraping portion (27) which is
roughened
surface having a general opening (27A) and having the roughened surface (27B)
disposed at the bottom thereof. This surface is used to clean the felt tip of
any
unwanted materials. The accessory holder (5) may also include a further
roughened
surface (28) also for scraping the felt tip at the end of the cue. Other
accessories may
also be allowed for in the design of the holder (5) including for example the
compartment for a cigarette lighter or the like.
Referring to Figures 2 through 8 there is illustrated various other forms
which the
accessory (5) may take. The accessory includes two portions generally halves
(30 and
40) making up the accessory holder which pivot with respect to one another via
a hinge
(H) connecting the two portions together proximate the edges thereof and
allowing for
the secured pivotal movement of the portions (30 and 40) in relation to one
another
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from the closed position to the open position. At the open position, the
accessories
which are substantially identical to those previously described in relation to
figure 1 can
be accessed and used. The accessories include the chalk holder (41), the cue
felt tip
scraping area (43) and the talcum powder dispensing accessory (47). A securing
latch
portion (L) may be provided with the holder (5) to secure the two portions (30
and 40)
together and prevent pivoting thereof from the opening thereof until it is
desired to do
so. The latch may take the form of a magnetic latch (M) or a mechanical latch
not
shown. Alternatively in Figure 3, the edge portion (40) may be undercut at
(49) to
receive a compatibly undercut lip (39) or threaded in Figure 3A to allow
threaded
portions 48 and 38 to mate. A ring as seen in Figure 6B may therefore be
provided or
other suitable attachment to the holder at (R) to attach to the chain cable or
the like (C)
as in Figures 7 to 8 to either a belt loop or the key chain of the billiard
player.
As illustrated in the figures the billiard accessory holder may take various
forms and is
designed to enable the billiard player to have a functional billiard accessory
holder
which may remind him of a favourite past time as illustrated in Figures 8A to
SE such
as billiards, baseball, soccer, football, golf, basketball or the like.
Alternatively, the
holder may just take the form of a block shape in the embodiment of Figure 1.
As seen in Figures 4 and 4A the opening (21) for the chalk may include cleats
(21A)
proximate the bottom to bite into the chalk when inserted therein.
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Figures 6 and 6A illustrate portions 30 and 40 which swivel with respect to
one another
via a pin (P) secured by a latch and latch pin member respectively Xl and XZ.
As seen in Figures 5 and 5A the talcum powder dispensary are including two
discs (23R
and T) disposed one above the other with 23T being stationary and 23R being
rotatable,
to close and open the talc dispenser area (23).
As many changes can be made to the preferred embodiment of the invention
without
departing from the scope thereof; it is intended that all matter contained
herein be
considered illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense.
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