US-20260124521-A1 - SYNTHETIC SLATE BILLIARDS TABLE WITH CARBON FIBER PLAYING SURFACE

US20260124521A1US 20260124521 A1US20260124521 A1US 20260124521A1US-20260124521-A1

Abstract

A billiards table is disclosed comprising a synthetic slate that includes a top layer formed from a reinforcing fiber and a curing resin, and a support layer adhered to a bottom side of the top layer. A first frame structure is attached to a bottom side of the support layer. The support layer may include polyurethane foam or medium-density fiberboard. A heating element is attached to a bottom side of the support layer, and an insulating layer covers a bottom side of the heating element. A second frame structure supports the first frame structure and defines a cavity that contains a weight. The reinforcing fiber may be carbon fiber, and the curing resin may be epoxy-based, with a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight. A plurality of legs may support both the first and second frame structures.

Inventors

Kevin O'Brien

Assignees

Kevin O'Brien

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20251030

Claims (20)

1 . A billiards table comprising a synthetic slate comprising: a top layer comprising a reinforcing fiber and a curing resin; a support layer adhered to a bottom side of the top layer; and a first frame structure attached to a bottom side of the support layer.
2 . The billiards table of claim 1 further comprising the support layer comprising at least of polyurethane foam or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
3 . The billiards table of claim 1 further comprising a heating element attached to a bottom side of the support layer and an insulating layer covering a bottom side of the heating element.
4 . The billiards table of claim 1 further comprising a second frame structure supporting the first frame structure, wherein the second frame structure defines a cavity therein.
5 . The billiards table of claim 4 further comprising a weight disposed in the cavity.
6 . The billiards table of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing fiber is a carbon fiber, and the curing resin is an epoxy-based resin.
7 . The billiards table of claim 1 wherein the reinforcing fiber and the curing resin comprises a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight.
8 . The billiards table of claim 4 wherein a plurality of legs support the first frame structure and second frame structure.
9 . A synthetic slate for a billiards table comprising: a top layer comprising a reinforcing fiber and a curing resin; and a support layer adhered to a bottom side of the top layer.
10 . The synthetic slate of claim 9 further comprising a first frame structure attached to a bottom side of the support layer.
11 . The synthetic slate of claim 9 further comprising the support layer comprising at least of polyurethane foam or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
12 . The synthetic slate of claim 9 further comprising a heating element attached to a bottom side of the support layer and an insulating layer covering a bottom side of the heating element.
13 . The synthetic slate of claim 10 further comprising a second frame structure supporting the first frame structure, wherein the second frame structure defines a cavity therein.
14 . The synthetic slate of claim 13 further comprising a weight disposed in the cavity.
15 . The synthetic slate of claim 9 wherein the reinforcing fiber is a carbon fiber and the curing resin is an epoxy-based resin.
16 . The synthetic slate of claim 9 wherein the reinforcing fiber and the curing resin comprises a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight.
17 . The synthetic slate of claim 13 wherein a plurality of legs support the first frame structure and second frame structure.
18 . The synthetic slate of claim 10 wherein the first frame structure is aluminum and attached to the support layer by at a fastener and an adhesive.
19 . A billiards table comprising a synthetic slate comprising: a top layer comprising a reinforcing fiber and a curing resin; a support layer adhered to a bottom side of the top layer; a first frame structure attached to a bottom side of the support layer; a heating element attached to a bottom side of the support layer and an insulating layer covering a bottom side of the heating element; a second frame structure supporting the first frame structure, wherein the second frame structure defines a cavity therein; and a weight disposed in the cavity.
20 . The billiards table of claim 19 wherein the reinforcing fiber is a carbon fiber and the curing resin is an epoxy-based resin and wherein the reinforcing fiber and the curing resin comprises a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a non-provisional patent application that claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 63/715,375, titled “SYNTHETIC SLATE BILLIARDS TABLE WITH CARBON FIBER PLAYING SURFACE”, and filed on 1 Nov. 2024, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of billiards tables, and more specifically to the field of synthetic slate billiards tables. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Billiards tables have traditionally been constructed with a slate playing surface due to slate's inherent properties that provide an ideal flat and durable surface for play. Slate, a fine-grained metamorphic rock, has been used in high-quality billiards tables for decades because of its ability to maintain an even, stable surface over time, ensuring precise and consistent ball roll. A typical billiards table uses slate panels that are between one and two inches thick, contributing significantly to the overall weight of the table. Traditional billiards tables, particularly those used in professional settings, are extremely heavy, with some weighing over 1,000 pounds. A significant portion of this weight is due to the slate used for the playing surface. The inherent density and weight of slate makes these tables difficult to transport, assemble, and disassemble. Moving or relocating a billiards table often requires specialized equipment and several individuals to avoid damaging the slate or other components of the table. Additionally, slate can be fragile, with the potential to crack or chip during transportation or installation. As a result, there exists a need for improvements over the prior art and more particularly for billiards tables that are lighter and easier to handle while still providing a smooth and durable playing surface similar to that of natural slate. Reducing the weight of billiards tables would significantly improve their portability and ease of assembly, allowing for greater flexibility in commercial and residential applications. Moreover, lighter tables would reduce the costs and risks associated with transporting and installing traditional slate tables. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A billiards table comprising a synthetic slate disclosed. This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of disclosed concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description including the drawings provided. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this Summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope. In one embodiment, a billiards table comprising a synthetic slate is disclosed. The billiards table comprises a top layer comprising a reinforcing fiber and a curing resin, a support layer adhered to a bottom side of the top layer, and a first frame structure attached to a bottom side of the support layer. The support layer comprises at least one of polyurethane foam or medium-density fiberboard. A heating element is attached to a bottom side of the support layer and an insulating covers a bottom side of the heating element. A second frame structure supports the first frame structure, and the second frame structure defines a cavity therein. A weight is disposed in the cavity. The reinforcing fiber is a carbon fiber and the curing resin is an epoxy-based resin. The reinforcing fiber and the curing resin comprise a ratio of approximately 1:1 by weight. A plurality of legs support the first frame structure and the second frame structure. Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiment will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base structure for a billiards table, according to an example embodiment; FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a torsion box for the billiards table having a plurality of cavities for disposing weight, according to an example embodiment; FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a frame structure for t