Title:
LEVELING DEVICE FOR POOL TABLES
United States Patent 3653341
Abstract:
A pool table comprises a table top having a pair of leg structures secured thereto. Each leg structure is provided with a pair of leveling devices, each of which includes a vertical threaded foot member having a floor engaging element on the lower end thereof. Each foot member is threadedly engaged by a threaded foot shifting member which may be revolved by an actuating lever in either direction to cause vertical movement of the table while each foot member remains stationary. The actuating lever is provided with indicia (up or down) to readily apprise a user of the direction the foot member is being shifted.
Application Number:
05/070627
Publication Date:
04/04/1972
Filing Date:
08/26/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
248/180.100, 248/188.400
International Classes:
A47B25/00; A47B91/02; A47B91/00; F16M11/24; A47B9/00; F16M11/12
Field of Search:
108/144T 248/180,188.4
Primary Examiner:
Gilliam, Paul R.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A pool table comprising
2. The pool table as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said leg structures has an elongate flat horizontal lower wall,
3. The pool table as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said pedestals includes opposed side walls and opposed end walls, a pair of spaced apart recesses in one side wall of each pedestal, and each recess receiving a major portion of each actuator member therein.
4. The pool table as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said leg structures also includes a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls.
5. The pool table as defined in claim 1 and indicia on each of said actuating members indicating the direction of vertical movement of the associated foot member when the associated actuating member is swung in a predetermined direction.
1. A pool table comprising
2. The pool table as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said leg structures has an elongate flat horizontal lower wall,
3. The pool table as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said pedestals includes opposed side walls and opposed end walls, a pair of spaced apart recesses in one side wall of each pedestal, and each recess receiving a major portion of each actuator member therein.
4. The pool table as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said leg structures also includes a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls.
5. The pool table as defined in claim 1 and indicia on each of said actuating members indicating the direction of vertical movement of the associated foot member when the associated actuating member is swung in a predetermined direction.
Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Some commercially available pool tables have been provided with adjustable leg features which permit the table top to be properly leveled. Typically, these leveling features include a threaded foot element which is revolved relative to a nut which in turn is welded to the pool table leg. A lock nut is provided and must be loosened before the foot element can be revolved. However, in this type of adjustment, the floor engaging foot element must be raised from its engaging relation with the floor before adjustment can be made.
It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide the leg structure of a pool table with a plurality of leveling devices which may be adjusted while the pool table is supported on the floor. These leveling devices each include a threaded foot member which engages the floor and which is threadedly engaged by a revolvable foot shifting nut member. Each of these foot shifting members has indexing elements thereon which coact with indexing elements on an actuating lever, whereby the nut may be rotated in either direction by the associated actuating member to permit vertical movement of the table while each foot member remains stationary. Suitable indicia are provided on each actuating lever to readily apprise a user of the direction of vertical movement of each foot member.
Thus leveling of the pool table may be readily accomplished by selectively raising or lowering each or every foot member as desired. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pool table incorporating the novel leveling devices;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a corner portion of the leg structures of the pool table partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the details of construction of a leveling device with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a pool table, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is there shown. This pool table includes a horizontally oriented table top 11 having side rails 12 and end rails 13 affixed to the periphery thereof. Suitable bumpers 14 are mounted on the inner surfaces of the side and end rails to permit the pool balls to rebound in a well-known manner. The table top will be covered by a suitable fabric cover and the top is provided with the conventional pockets 15.
The pool table includes a pair of generally vertically oriented supporting leg structures 16 which are spaced apart from each other and which are located adjacent the opposite ends of the table top. Each leg structure includes a non-structural pedestal 17 which is secured to the lower end of the leg structure and which serves primarily as a decorative device. Each leg structure 16 includes a pair of opposed end walls 18, opposed side walls 19, and a bottom wall 20. Similarly, each pedestal includes opposed end walls 21, opposed side walls 22, a top wall 24 and a metallic bottom wall or plate 23. In this regard, it is pointed out that the pedestals are preferably formed of a non-metallic material except for the bottom wall or plate 23 of the pedestal, which as pointed out above, is formed of metal.
Each leg structure is provided with a pair of leveling devices 25 which are secured thereto and depend therefrom, as best seen in FIG. 2. Each leveling device is located adjacent the respective end portions of the associated leg structure, and each includes an elongate vertically oriented sleeve 26 which is rigidly affixed to and projects upwardly from the bottom wall or plate 23 of the associated pedestal. Thus the bottom plate of each pedestal has a pair of openings therein, each of which communicates with one of the sleeves 26. The upper end portion of each sleeve 26 has a radial flange 27 integrally formed therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Each leveling device also includes an elongated vertically oriented threaded member 28 which has an antiskid floor engaging element 29 secured to the lower end portion thereof. It will be noted that this floor engaging element 29 for each foot member is of flat construction and is horizontally oriented to support one corner of the pool table upon a floor or other supporting surface.
Each leveling device also includes a foot shifting member 30 which is in the form of a threaded nut having a radial flange 31 integrally formed therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom. Each foot shifting member threadedly engages the upper end portion of a foot member and rotation of the foot shifting member causes vertical shifting movement of the table while the associated foot member 28 remains stationary. It will be noted that each foot shifting member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart indexing notches 32 therein, each adjacent pair of indexing notches defining a pair of indexing elements 33. A non-metallic preferably plastic washer 34 is interposed between the upper surface of the radial flange of each foot shifting member and the bottom wall 20 of the associated leg structure. In this regard, it will be noted that each pedestal has a pair of recesses 35 formed therein as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The recesses 35 communicate outwardly through the inner side wall and are located adjacent opposite end portions of each pedestal.
Each leveling device also includes an elongate actuating lever 36 which has an opening 37 in the inner end portion thereof, the opening accommodating and receiving the associated foot shifting member 30 therethrough. Thus the actuating lever 36 for each leveling device is positioned around its associated foot shifting member or nut but is interposed between the radial flange 31 and the flange 27 of the associated sleeve 26. The opening 37 for each lever is of elongate configuration and permits each actuating lever to be shifted longitudinally towards and away from the associated foot shifting member. When each actuating lever 36 is shifted longitudinally outwardly away from its associated foot shifting member, then each actuating lever may pivot or swing relative to its associated foot shifting member.
It will be noted that each actuating lever is of substantially flat configuration and is provided with a pair of indexing elements 38 which are integrally formed therewith and project upwardly therefrom. These indexing elements are spaced apart with respect to each other and project upwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the lever adjacent the inner end portion thereof. The spacing between the indexing elements 38 on each actuating lever is such that when each actuating lever is urged longitudinally inwardly, these indexing elements 38 may be urged into a pair of adjacent indexing notches 32 and engage the associated indexing elements 33 to permit the actuating lever and associated foot shifting member to be swung or pivoted in unison. It is quite apparent that by interlocking the coacting indexing elements on each actuating lever and its associated foot shifting member and thereafter swinging the actuating lever in either direction, the foot shifting member may be rotated relative to its associated foot member and thereby produce vertical movement of the table while the foot member remains stationary.
Each actuating lever also has indicia 39 on the outer end portion thereof and on the upper surface thereof. It will be noted that this indicia (up or down), along with directional arrows, permits a user to be apprised of the direction of movement of the associated foot member. Therefore, if it is desirable to lower the table adjacent one corner, then the actuating lever would be moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Movement of the lever in the opposite direction would provide upward vertical movement of the corner portion of the table. Referring again to FIG. 3 it will be noted that the wall portion of the pedestal defining each recess 35 has a small magnet 40 embedded therein to releasably hold the outer end portion of the associated actuating lever 36 thereagainst in an out-of-the-way position when the actuating lever is not being used. In this regard, it will be noted that the outer end portion of the actuating lever is tapered and projects slightly outwardly beyond the recess to facilitate movement of the lever by a user.
When a user needs to level the table top 11, the four leveling devices 25 may be individually and selectively adjusted. To do this, a user will cause the indexing elements 38 on the actuating lever to interengage the indexing elements on the associated foot shifting member and then move the lever in the desired direction. In the embodiment shown, the lever may be swung through an arc of less than 90° in its power stroke to rotate the associated foot shifting member and may be moved longitudinally outwardly to disengage from the indexing elements on the foot shifting member in the return stroke. The actuating lever may then reengage the foot shifting member for another power stroke by shifting the lever longitudinally inwardly again. Adjustment may be made for each leveling device until the desired disposition of the table top is accomplished.
It is pointed out that by rotating the foot shifting member or nut, each foot member remains stationary and will not rotate relative to the surface upon which the pool table is supported. Thus adjustment may be easily accomplished through the use of the present leveling devices. It is also pointed out that minute accurate micrometer-like adjustments can also be accomplished by the present device. Since the leveling devices are located adjacent the corner portions of the leg structure, these leveling devices are readily accessible to a user. The directional indicia permits a user to be apprised instantly of the direction the associated foot member will be moved. Since the actuating lever is permanently attached to each foot member, there is no chance of the actuating member being lost.
It will also be pointed out that the entire weight of the pool table is transmitted from the leg structures directly to the threaded foot members to the supporting surface so that the pedestals do not bear the structural load.
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a novel leveling device for use with pool tables which permits a user to readily level the table top of the pool table. The unique construction of the present leveling devices permits the table to be shifted in a vertical direction so no great torque load is transmitted to the foot member. The present leveling devices also permit accurate micrometer-like adjustment while permitting the foot members to remain in engaging relation with respect to the floor during the adjustment.
Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel leveling device, which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.
Some commercially available pool tables have been provided with adjustable leg features which permit the table top to be properly leveled. Typically, these leveling features include a threaded foot element which is revolved relative to a nut which in turn is welded to the pool table leg. A lock nut is provided and must be loosened before the foot element can be revolved. However, in this type of adjustment, the floor engaging foot element must be raised from its engaging relation with the floor before adjustment can be made.
It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide the leg structure of a pool table with a plurality of leveling devices which may be adjusted while the pool table is supported on the floor. These leveling devices each include a threaded foot member which engages the floor and which is threadedly engaged by a revolvable foot shifting nut member. Each of these foot shifting members has indexing elements thereon which coact with indexing elements on an actuating lever, whereby the nut may be rotated in either direction by the associated actuating member to permit vertical movement of the table while each foot member remains stationary. Suitable indicia are provided on each actuating lever to readily apprise a user of the direction of vertical movement of each foot member.
Thus leveling of the pool table may be readily accomplished by selectively raising or lowering each or every foot member as desired. These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pool table incorporating the novel leveling devices;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of a corner portion of the leg structures of the pool table partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the details of construction of a leveling device with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity; and
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a pool table, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is there shown. This pool table includes a horizontally oriented table top 11 having side rails 12 and end rails 13 affixed to the periphery thereof. Suitable bumpers 14 are mounted on the inner surfaces of the side and end rails to permit the pool balls to rebound in a well-known manner. The table top will be covered by a suitable fabric cover and the top is provided with the conventional pockets 15.
The pool table includes a pair of generally vertically oriented supporting leg structures 16 which are spaced apart from each other and which are located adjacent the opposite ends of the table top. Each leg structure includes a non-structural pedestal 17 which is secured to the lower end of the leg structure and which serves primarily as a decorative device. Each leg structure 16 includes a pair of opposed end walls 18, opposed side walls 19, and a bottom wall 20. Similarly, each pedestal includes opposed end walls 21, opposed side walls 22, a top wall 24 and a metallic bottom wall or plate 23. In this regard, it is pointed out that the pedestals are preferably formed of a non-metallic material except for the bottom wall or plate 23 of the pedestal, which as pointed out above, is formed of metal.
Each leg structure is provided with a pair of leveling devices 25 which are secured thereto and depend therefrom, as best seen in FIG. 2. Each leveling device is located adjacent the respective end portions of the associated leg structure, and each includes an elongate vertically oriented sleeve 26 which is rigidly affixed to and projects upwardly from the bottom wall or plate 23 of the associated pedestal. Thus the bottom plate of each pedestal has a pair of openings therein, each of which communicates with one of the sleeves 26. The upper end portion of each sleeve 26 has a radial flange 27 integrally formed therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom.
Each leveling device also includes an elongated vertically oriented threaded member 28 which has an antiskid floor engaging element 29 secured to the lower end portion thereof. It will be noted that this floor engaging element 29 for each foot member is of flat construction and is horizontally oriented to support one corner of the pool table upon a floor or other supporting surface.
Each leveling device also includes a foot shifting member 30 which is in the form of a threaded nut having a radial flange 31 integrally formed therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom. Each foot shifting member threadedly engages the upper end portion of a foot member and rotation of the foot shifting member causes vertical shifting movement of the table while the associated foot member 28 remains stationary. It will be noted that each foot shifting member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart indexing notches 32 therein, each adjacent pair of indexing notches defining a pair of indexing elements 33. A non-metallic preferably plastic washer 34 is interposed between the upper surface of the radial flange of each foot shifting member and the bottom wall 20 of the associated leg structure. In this regard, it will be noted that each pedestal has a pair of recesses 35 formed therein as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The recesses 35 communicate outwardly through the inner side wall and are located adjacent opposite end portions of each pedestal.
Each leveling device also includes an elongate actuating lever 36 which has an opening 37 in the inner end portion thereof, the opening accommodating and receiving the associated foot shifting member 30 therethrough. Thus the actuating lever 36 for each leveling device is positioned around its associated foot shifting member or nut but is interposed between the radial flange 31 and the flange 27 of the associated sleeve 26. The opening 37 for each lever is of elongate configuration and permits each actuating lever to be shifted longitudinally towards and away from the associated foot shifting member. When each actuating lever 36 is shifted longitudinally outwardly away from its associated foot shifting member, then each actuating lever may pivot or swing relative to its associated foot shifting member.
It will be noted that each actuating lever is of substantially flat configuration and is provided with a pair of indexing elements 38 which are integrally formed therewith and project upwardly therefrom. These indexing elements are spaced apart with respect to each other and project upwardly from opposite longitudinal edges of the lever adjacent the inner end portion thereof. The spacing between the indexing elements 38 on each actuating lever is such that when each actuating lever is urged longitudinally inwardly, these indexing elements 38 may be urged into a pair of adjacent indexing notches 32 and engage the associated indexing elements 33 to permit the actuating lever and associated foot shifting member to be swung or pivoted in unison. It is quite apparent that by interlocking the coacting indexing elements on each actuating lever and its associated foot shifting member and thereafter swinging the actuating lever in either direction, the foot shifting member may be rotated relative to its associated foot member and thereby produce vertical movement of the table while the foot member remains stationary.
Each actuating lever also has indicia 39 on the outer end portion thereof and on the upper surface thereof. It will be noted that this indicia (up or down), along with directional arrows, permits a user to be apprised of the direction of movement of the associated foot member. Therefore, if it is desirable to lower the table adjacent one corner, then the actuating lever would be moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Movement of the lever in the opposite direction would provide upward vertical movement of the corner portion of the table. Referring again to FIG. 3 it will be noted that the wall portion of the pedestal defining each recess 35 has a small magnet 40 embedded therein to releasably hold the outer end portion of the associated actuating lever 36 thereagainst in an out-of-the-way position when the actuating lever is not being used. In this regard, it will be noted that the outer end portion of the actuating lever is tapered and projects slightly outwardly beyond the recess to facilitate movement of the lever by a user.
When a user needs to level the table top 11, the four leveling devices 25 may be individually and selectively adjusted. To do this, a user will cause the indexing elements 38 on the actuating lever to interengage the indexing elements on the associated foot shifting member and then move the lever in the desired direction. In the embodiment shown, the lever may be swung through an arc of less than 90° in its power stroke to rotate the associated foot shifting member and may be moved longitudinally outwardly to disengage from the indexing elements on the foot shifting member in the return stroke. The actuating lever may then reengage the foot shifting member for another power stroke by shifting the lever longitudinally inwardly again. Adjustment may be made for each leveling device until the desired disposition of the table top is accomplished.
It is pointed out that by rotating the foot shifting member or nut, each foot member remains stationary and will not rotate relative to the surface upon which the pool table is supported. Thus adjustment may be easily accomplished through the use of the present leveling devices. It is also pointed out that minute accurate micrometer-like adjustments can also be accomplished by the present device. Since the leveling devices are located adjacent the corner portions of the leg structure, these leveling devices are readily accessible to a user. The directional indicia permits a user to be apprised instantly of the direction the associated foot member will be moved. Since the actuating lever is permanently attached to each foot member, there is no chance of the actuating member being lost.
It will also be pointed out that the entire weight of the pool table is transmitted from the leg structures directly to the threaded foot members to the supporting surface so that the pedestals do not bear the structural load.
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a novel leveling device for use with pool tables which permits a user to readily level the table top of the pool table. The unique construction of the present leveling devices permits the table to be shifted in a vertical direction so no great torque load is transmitted to the foot member. The present leveling devices also permit accurate micrometer-like adjustment while permitting the foot members to remain in engaging relation with respect to the floor during the adjustment.
Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel leveling device, which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.