Printing – Stenciling – Stencil and work support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-07-03
Hilten, John S. (Department: 2854)
Printing
Stenciling
Stencil and work support
C101S129000, C101S488000, C118S301000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253674
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the apparatus and process method for application of decorative imprints in either single or multi-color renditions to the felt cover playing surface of either a pool or billiard table.
It is well known in pool and billiard table art that a primary requirement for pool and billiard table surfaces, if there is to be accurate play, is that such surfaces must be absolutely flat and true with no thickness or dimensional irregularities that would interfere with the course of either a cue or game ball during play. Thus, the application of any decorative imprint to the felt surface covering for a pool or billiard table top was not heretofore satisfactorily accomplished as an interfering playing surface irregularity was thereby incorporated and inherent to any such decorative application. Being illustrative of the foregoing point, as in the case of placement of a “spot” on either a pool or billiard table for spotting the cue ball, illustratively taught in Nathan, U.S. Pat. No. 1,143,222 dated Jun. 15, 1915, there is disclosed the use of a “—thin, tough material, as for instance linen or silk fabric,—over which the balls may roll with the least deflection.” (emphasis added).
Another pool table teaching showing playing surface decorative imprints is as set forth in Galedrige, U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,890 dated Sep. 3, 1968, which teaches the use of novel markings upon a pool table playing surface, wherein, however, no method or procedure is described or disclosed regarding the nature or character of the marking medium or application thereof.
The imprinting methodology as herein taught employs the use of a vacuum frame apparatus to effect the drawing of the printing ink or paint through an imprint stencil and into the pool or billiard table felt covering fabric to thereby eliminate the adverse effects of the incorporation of thickness and dimensional irregularities. Although the vacuum frame apparatus for photostencil preparation as taught in Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,817 dated Mar. 17, 1987, is structurally similar, the methodology and functional aspects thereof are applied to the art of stencil preparation as opposed to stencil printing per se, and are thus clearly distinguished.
When the application of decorative imprints in either single or multi-color rendition to a pool or billiard table felt cover playing surface is desired, without the incorporation therein of either thickness or dimensional irregularities which would otherwise interfere with the course of either a cue or game ball during play, the instant invention provides a new and novel apparatus and process method for accomplishing the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a vacuum printing apparatus and process method for application of decorative imprints to the felt cover playing surface for a pool or billiard table.
Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum printing process method whereby a decorative imprint may be applied to the felt cover playing surface of a pool or billiard table without incorporating a resultant dimensional or thickness irregularity in the playing surface which would in any way otherwise interfere with the course of a ball during play.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum printing process method which enables the application of decorative imprints in either a single or multi-color rendition upon the felt cover playing surface of a pool or billiard table.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum printing apparatus and process method which enables the application of various customized decorative imprints to the felt cover playing surface for a pool or billiard table.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum printing apparatus and process method whereby the respective ink or paint medium layers comprising a multi-color decorative imprint, which are sequentially applied to the felt cover playing surface of a pool or billiard table, are respectively and successively impregnated to adhere within the felt material fabric structure.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum printing apparatus and process method which further enables the application of a decorative imprint to the playing surface of a pool or billiard table which will retain the applied color vibrance and distinctive shape outline when repeatedly subjected to the rigors of game play over an extended time.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum printing apparatus and process method for application of a decorative imprint to the felt cover playing surface for a pool or billiard table which is accomplished with the use of relatively simple and inexpensive equipment, adapted to be utilized and employed in carrying out the process method by persons of ordinary skill without the need for extensive or prolonged training.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1143222 (1915-06-01), Nathan
patent: 2419695 (1947-04-01), Shuttleworth et al.
patent: 3172358 (1965-03-01), Weiss
patent: 3399890 (1968-09-01), Galedrige
patent: 3418931 (1968-12-01), Wilford
patent: 4173928 (1979-11-01), Mitter
patent: 4649817 (1987-03-01), Smith
patent: 4734298 (1988-03-01), Kikukawa
Grohusky Leslie J.
Hilten John S.
Learned, Jr Samuel M.
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