Storage device for plates forming a dinner tray for a billiard table

Abstract

Storage device (20) for plates (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) forming a dining tabletop (10) for a billiard table (1), comprising a support frame (21) arranged to carry the dining tabletop plates, and cleats (22) for fixing the support frame to a frame (6) of the billiard table, the cleats being arranged to allow vertical movement of the support frame between a retracted position in which the support frame is intended to extend horizontally close to the frame, and an extended position in which the support frame is intended to extend horizontally away from the frame, the cleats being provided with means for supporting the support frame in the extended position and, above the support means, with means for retaining the support frame in the retracted position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to equipment for playing billiards and more particularly to a device for storing a dining tray for a billiard table. The invention also relates to a billiard table equipped with such a device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Billiards is a game of skill played by one or more players on a table lined with cushions and covered with a cloth. The game consists of rolling balls across the table by hitting them with a cue.

[0003] Pool tables are heavy and bulky pieces of furniture, and are generally used for no other purpose than playing billiards. To overcome this drawback, it is common to cover the pool table with a top to transform it into a dining table that can comfortably seat ten people.

[0004] While such a transformation allows for better use of the interior space of a home, it turns out that the tabletop must be removed and stored somewhere when not in use. However, the tabletop is particularly bulky and moving it requires a significant amount of effort, especially since its storage space is far from the table. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose a device for storing a dining tray for a billiard table making it possible to at least partially overcome the aforementioned drawbacks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To this end, according to the invention, a device is provided for storing plates forming a dining top for a billiard table. The storage device comprises a support frame arranged to carry the dining top plates, and cleats for fixing the support frame to a frame of the billiard table. The cleats are arranged to allow vertical movement of the support frame between a retracted position in which the support frame is intended to extend horizontally near the frame, and a deployed position in which the support frame is intended to extend horizontally at a distance from the frame, the cleats being provided with means for supporting the support frame in the deployed position and, above the support means, means (22.5) for retaining the support frame in the retracted position.

[0007] Such a storage device thus makes it possible to store the plates forming the dining table top under the billiard table, the support frame being able to be hidden when it is not used to receive said plates.

[0008] According to a particular characteristic, the support frame comprises a wire frame comprising two first wires connected to each other by second wires, the first wires comprising end sections forming tenons intended to be received in a groove provided in the cleats.

[0009] In particular, the end sections of the first wires extend in the same direction.

[0010] In particular, the end sections of each of the first wires extend along the same axis.

[0011] According to a particular characteristic, each of the cleats comprises a body comprising side walls delimiting the groove, the side walls each comprising a window inside which extends a tongue which is integral with the side wall and which is provided with a relief facing towards the inside of the groove to form the retaining means, the tongues being elastically deformable between a rest state in which the reliefs define a passage section less than a diameter of the end sections of the first wires of the support frame, and a deformed state in which the reliefs define a passage section equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of said end sections.

[0012] In particular, the reliefs of the tabs are rounded.

[0013] The invention also relates to a billiard table comprising a frame under which is fixed a storage device according to any one of the preceding claims via the cleats. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a perspective view of a billiard table equipped with a storage device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, in which the support frame of the storage device is in the deployed position and carries three plates forming a dining table; [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a view analogous to the figure 1 , in which the table is covered with the dining tray, the support frame of the storage device being in the retracted position; [ Fig. 3 ] there figure 3 is another perspective view of the billiard table shown in figure 2 , in which the storage device is visible; [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 represents a perspective view of the support frame of the storage device illustrated in figure 3 ; [ Fig. 5 ] there figure 5 represents a perspective view and a front view of one of the fixing cleats of the support frame illustrated in figure 4 ; [ Fig. 6A ] there figure 6A is a view analogous to the figure 3 , wherein the basket of the storage device is in an inclined position; [ Fig. 6B ] there figure 6B is a view analogous to the figure 6A , in which the basket of the storage device is in the deployed position; [ Fig. 6C ] there figure 6C is a view analogous to the figure 6B , in which the dining tray is carried by the support frame of the storage device; [ Fig. 6D ] there figure 6D is a side view of the pool table shown in figure 6C . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In reference to the figures 1 has 3 , the invention is described in application to a billiard table 1 equipped with a dining top 10 and a storage device 20 for the dining top 10.

[0016] The billiard table 1 comprises, in a manner known per se: a rectangular plate 2, here made of slate, extending in a horizontal plane and comprising an upper face covered with a mat 3 defining a rolling surface for balls; a playing frame 4 surrounding the plate 2 to delimit with the mat 3 an area for moving the balls, and on which are fixed return strips 5 here made of natural rubber; a chassis 6, of rectangular shape, on which the plate 2 rests and the playing frame 4 is fixed; and a base 7 on which the chassis 6 is fixed.

[0017] The frame 6 comprises two longitudinal members 6.1 having ends connected to each other by two main crosspieces 6.2 to form a support frame for the slate plate 2. The longitudinal members 6.1 and the main crosspieces 6.2 have substantially identical cross-sections and extend respectively in a longitudinal direction X and a transverse direction Y of the billiard table, the transverse direction Y being orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X.

[0018] To prevent any deformation of the plate 2 under its own weight, the chassis 6 also comprises three secondary crosspieces, called reinforcement crosspieces, connecting the side members 6.1 together so as to ensure, in the same way as said side members 6.1 and the main crosspieces 6.2, the support of the plate 2. The secondary crosspieces extend between the main crosspieces 6.2, parallel to them, and comprise a central crosspiece 6.3 and two intermediate crosspieces 6.4 extending symmetrically on either side of the central crosspiece 6.3.

[0019] The base 7 comprises four legs 7.1 having upper ends connected to each other by two longitudinal crosspieces 7.2 and two transverse crosspieces 7.3, and lower ends provided with height-adjustable pads 7.4 to be able to adjust the horizontality of the rolling surface when the table 1 rests on the ground. The secondary crosspieces 6.3, 6.4 of the chassis 6 rest on the longitudinal crosspieces 7.2 and the transverse crosspieces 7.3 of the base 7, and the frame of the chassis 6 (formed by the side members 6.1 and the main crosspieces 6.2) is fixed to the legs 7.1 by means of four struts 7.5.

[0020] The dining table 10 is here formed by three identical plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, each of the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 having a length substantially equal to a width of the game frame 4, and a width substantially equal to one third of a length of the game frame 4. The plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 thus each have a covering surface substantially equal to one third of the surface delimited by outer edges of the game frame 4, so as to be able to completely cover said game frame 4.

[0021] To transform the billiard table 1 into a dining table, the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 forming the dining table are arranged on an upper face of the playing frame 4, in the extension of one another along the longitudinal direction X of the table 1, so as to completely cover said playing frame 4 and form a flat surface ( figure 2 ).

[0022] When the billiard table 1 is used for playing billiards, the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 forming the dining table are, as will be seen later, stored in the storage device 20 arranged under the billiard table 1, said plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 being stacked on top of each other ( figure 1 ).

[0023] The storage device 20 comprises a support frame 21 mounted to move between a high position called "retracted" and a low position called "deployed" on the chassis 6 via four fixing cleats 22, the support frame 21 extending substantially horizontally in the retracted and deployed positions, respectively close to and at a distance from the chassis 6.

[0024] The support frame 21 is symmetrical and comprises a wire frame, here made of steel, on which two lateral guide plates 23 are fixed.

[0025] The frame comprises two first wires 21.1 extending generally in the longitudinal direction X of the table, and two second wires 21.2 extending generally perpendicular to the first wires 21.1 in the transverse direction Y. The second wires 21.2 have ends welded to the first wires 21.1 so that said first wires 21.1 are connected to each other by said second wires 21.2. The first and second wires 21.1, 21.2 have a constant diameter substantially equal to 10 millimeters.

[0026] In reference to the figure 4 , each of the first 21.1 threads includes: a main section 21a; two intermediate sections 21b which extend on either side of the main section 21a and which are connected to said main section 21a by first bends obtained by first 90-degree bends of the first wire 21.1; and two end sections 21c which extend along the same axis in the extension of the intermediate sections 21b and which are connected to said intermediate sections 21b by second bends obtained by second 90-degree bends of the first wire 21.1, to form tenons extending towards the outside of the support frame 21.

[0027] The main section 21a and the end sections 21c extend along the longitudinal direction X of the table 1, and the intermediate sections 21b extend along a direction orthogonal to the second wires 21.2. The guide plates 23 have ends welded to the intermediate sections 21b of the first wires 21.1 and extend parallel to the second wires 21.2 so as to be spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the length of the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3.

[0028] In reference to the figure 5 , the cleats 22 are identical and comprise a single-piece body 22.1 which is elongated in a vertical direction Z orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse directions X, Y of the table 1. The body 22.1 is symmetrical and comprises a vertical groove 22.2 in which one of the end sections 21c of the support frame 21 is received. The groove 22.2 delimits: an upper wall 22a of the body 22.1 from which extend in horizontal projection two ears 22.3 for fixing the body 22.1 on a lower face one of the two intermediate crosspieces 6.4 of the frame 6 of the table 1; two side walls 22b of the body each having an upper edge connected to the upper wall 22a, the side walls 22b having internal faces forming a non-zero angle α, here equal to 10 degrees; a lower wall 22c having upper edges connected to lower edges of the side walls 22b, the lower wall 22c having two internal faces forming a non-zero angle β, here equal to 90 degrees; and a bottom of the body 22d connecting the upper wall 22a, the side walls 22b and the lower wall 22c to each other.

[0029] As will be seen later, the angle α is chosen so as to be able to bring the support frame 21 from the retracted position or the deployed position to a first intermediate position or a second intermediate position, called “inclined”, one or other of these intermediate positions being able to be adopted to move from the retracted position to the deployed position or vice versa.

[0030] The side walls 22b each comprise a window 22.4 facing one another and of identical dimensions. The windows 22.4 cut into the side walls 22b over substantially an upper half of their height in the vertical direction Z. Inside each of the two windows 22.4 extends a tab 22.5 made of the same material as the corresponding side wall 22b. Each window 22.4 here has a rectangular shape delimited by two lateral flanks extending in the direction of the height of the window in the vertical direction Z of the body 22.1, and an upper flank and a lower flank extending in the direction of the width of the window in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction Z of the body 22.1. The tongue 22.5 extends vertically projecting from the lower flank towards the upper flank, and comprises an internal face provided with a rounded relief 22.6 facing towards the inside of the groove 22.2 of the body 22.1.

[0031] The tabs 22.5 are elastically deformable between a resting state (illustrated in figure 5 ), called retained, in which the reliefs 22.6 define a passage section smaller than the diameter of the end sections 21c of the first wires 22.1 of the support frame 21, and a deformed state (not shown), called escape, in which the reliefs 22.6 define a passage section equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of said end sections 21c of the first wires 22.1.

[0032] It is understood that when the tabs 22.5 are in the deformed state, the end section 21c of the support frame 21 received in the groove 22.2 of the body 22.1 can move in the vertical direction Z between a high position and a low position (illustrated in dotted lines on the figure 5 ) in which the end section 21c is respectively in contact with the upper wall 22a and the lower wall 22c of the body 22.1.

[0033] It will be noted that the angle β allows, by being non-zero, to ensure centering of the end section 21c in the low position in the groove 22.2 of the body 22.1.

[0034] It is also understood that when the tabs 22.5 are in the rest state and the end portion 21c of the support frame 21 is in the high position, said tabs 22.5 prevent said end portion 21c from reaching the low position.

[0035] The support frame 21 is said to be in the retracted position when all of the end sections 21c of the support frame 21 are in the high position in their respective cleat 22.

[0036] The support frame 21 is said to be in the deployed position when all of the end sections 21c of the support frame 21 are in the low position in their respective cleat 22.

[0037] The support frame 21 is said to be in an inclined position when the end sections 21c of one of the first wires 21.1 of the support frame 21 are in the low position and the end sections 21c of the other of the first wires 21.1 are in the high position.

[0038] It is then understood that the tabs 22.5 of the cleats 22 form means for retaining the support frame 21 in the retracted position, and that the lower walls 22c of the cleats 22 form means for supporting the support frame 21 in the deployed position. The tabs 22.5 of the cleats 22 are arranged to support the weight of the support frame 21 and maintain said support frame 21 in the retracted position.

[0039] The operation and use of the storage device 20 will now be detailed with reference to the figures 3 , 6A-6D .

[0040] While the set of plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 forming the dining table 10 is in place on the billiard table 1 ( figure 3 ), a sufficient transverse force is exerted on the main section 21a of one of the first wires 21.1 of the support frame 21 to bring the support frame 21 from the retracted position (in which all of the end sections 21c are in the high position) to one of the inclined positions (in which two of the end sections 21c are in the high position and the other two in the low position) by causing a deformation of the tongues 22.5 concerned which then pass from the rest state to the deformed state before returning to the rest state ( figure 6A ).

[0041] It is understood that the passage of the support frame 21 from the retracted position to the inclined position corresponds to a rotation of said support frame 21 around the axis defined by the two end sections 21c remaining in the high position, in other words to a pivoting of the support frame 21 from its retracted position.

[0042] In the same way, a sufficient transverse force is then exerted on the main section 21a of the other of the first wires 21.1 of the support frame 21 to bring the support frame 21 from the inclined position to the deployed position in which all of the end sections 21c are in the low position, causing a deformation of the tongues 22.5 concerned which then pass from the rest state to the deformed state before returning to the rest state ( figure 6B ).

[0043] It is understood that the passage of the support frame 21 from the inclined position to the deployed position corresponds to a rotation of said support frame 21 around the axis defined by the two end sections 21c remaining in the low position, in other words to a pivoting of the support frame 21 from its inclined position.

[0044] It is also understood that a single person positioned on one side of the billiard table 1 can bring the support frame 21 from the retracted position to the deployed position.

[0045] One of the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 forming the dining table is then arranged on the support frame 21 by turning said plate 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 by 90 degrees and sliding it on said support frame 21 in the direction of the width of the billiard table 1, between the guide plates 23 of the support frame 21, until the plate 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 is substantially centered on the support frame 21.

[0046] The other two plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 are then stacked one after the other on the plate already placed on the support frame 21 ( figure 6C-6D ).

[0047] It is then understood that all of the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 are stored under the billiard table 1, being carried by the support frame 21.

[0048] It will be noted that when they are stored on the support frame 21 of the storage device 20, the tray plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 are: relatively visible to the player when the latter is positioned on a longitudinal side of the table ( figure 6D ), and relatively invisible to the player when the latter is positioned on a transverse side of the table ( figure 6D ), the transverse crosspieces masking said plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3.

[0049] It should also be noted that when in the retracted position, the support frame 21 is relatively invisible to the player. It is therefore advisable to retract the support frame 21 when it is not in use for storing the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, although this is not necessary for playing billiards.

[0050] It will further be noted that it is possible to bring the support frame 21 from the retracted position to the deployed position without passing through one of the inclined positions, by simultaneously exerting a transverse force on the first two wires 21.1 of the support frame 21, which requires the presence of two people each positioned on one side of the billiard table 1.

[0051] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0052] The tabs 22.5 can be replaced by any other retaining means capable of holding the support frame 21 in the retracted position: pins, removable supports, etc.

[0053] Although here the support frame 21 has a wire frame, it can be of any other nature: solid, openwork, basket-shaped, etc.

[0054] The support frame 21 may have a different shape from that illustrated as long as it is capable of carrying the plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3.

[0055] Although the end sections 21c here extend along the longitudinal direction X of the table 1, they can also extend along the transverse direction Y of the table. The cleats 22 will then have to be rotated 90 degrees. The inclination of the support frame 21 will then be along an axis of rotation extending along the transverse direction Y of the table 1.

[0056] Plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 are not necessarily identical, particularly in terms of dimensions.

[0057] The number of plates 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 forming the dining tray 10 may be less than or greater than three.

[0058] The storage device is optional in the sense that it can be added to an existing pool table.

[0059] Although the invention is described here in application to a billiard table 1, the storage device 20 can be adapted to any other game table (table football, etc.).

Claims

1. Storage device (20) for plates (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) forming a dining top (10) for a billiard table (1), comprising a support frame (21) arranged to carry the dining top plates, and cleats (22) for fixing the support frame to a frame (6) of the billiard table, the cleats being arranged to allow vertical movement of the support frame between a retracted position in which the support frame is intended to extend horizontally near the frame, and a deployed position in which the support frame is intended to extend horizontally at a distance from the frame, the cleats being provided with means for supporting the support frame in the deployed position and, above the support means, with means (22.5) for retaining the support frame in the retracted position.

2. Storage device (20) according to claim 1, in which the support frame (21) comprises a wire frame comprising two first wires (21.1) connected to each other by second wires (21.2), the first wires comprising end sections (21c) forming tenons intended to be received in a groove (22.2) formed in the cleats (22).

3. Storage device (20) according to claim 2, in which the end sections (21c) of the first wires extend in the same direction (X).

4. Storage device (20) according to claim 3, in which the end sections (21c) of each of the first wires extend along the same axis.

5. Storage device (20) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the cleats (22) comprises a body (22.1) having side walls delimiting the groove (22.2), the side walls each having a window (22.4) inside which extends a tongue (22.5) which is integral with the side wall and which is provided with a relief (22.6) facing towards the inside of the groove to form the retaining means, the tongues being elastically deformable between a rest state in which the reliefs define a passage section less than a diameter of the end sections (21c) of the first wires (22.1) of the support frame (21), and a deformed state in which the reliefs define a passage section equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of said end sections.

6. Storage device (20) according to claim 5, in which the reliefs (22.6) of the tabs (22.5) are rounded.

7. Billiard table (1) comprising a frame (6) under which is fixed a storage device according to any one of the preceding claims via the cleats (22).

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