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 [Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 473]   CLASS 473,GAMES USING TANGIBLE PROJECTILE
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class includes:

Apparatus or means relating to the type of amusement, recreational, or play activities commonly known as games or sports (a) in which one or more players or participants use a ball, missile, stream of water, or any other such body which occupies physical space and can be touched and thereby felt by the one or more players or participants (i.e., a tangible body) such that, during play of a game or sport, the ball, missile, or other such tangible body is thrown, rolled, shoved, impelled, propelled, projected, or otherwise put into motion by a nonexplosive force so as to achieve an objective set forth by rules defined for the particular game or sport and (b) wherein the result of playing such a game or sport can be indicated according to rules defined for the particular game or sport;

Devices which are ancillary or appurtenant to the types of games or sports included herein, unless they are provided for elsewhere.

(1) Note. The ball, missile, or other such tangible body is (a) usually initially put into motion by an external force supplied either by a player of the game or sport or by other nonexplosive means (e.g., by a mechanically operated device, etc.) and (b) usually continues in motion under its own inertia (in the absence of intervention or interception by another external force or by a body) after having been put into motion. However, a self-propelled ball, missile, or other such tangible body may be included herein provided it is intended to be used in the play of a game or sport.
(2) Note. In regard to devices or implements for striking, impelling, launching, or, otherwise, projecting a game projectile, the following applies: (a) Any projector device or implement which is combined with any other device, apparatus, or component used for a game or sporting purpose is included herein, (b) a striking type of projector implement which is used for a game or sporting purpose (such as a club, bat, racket, paddle, mallet, stick, etc.) and which is carried by (e.g., handheld) and manually manipulated by a user to strike and thereby project a game projectile such that substantially all of the force used to project the projectile is supplied by the user is, per se, included herein, (c) a throwing or flinging type of implement or device which is used for a game or sporting purpose and which is specifically adapted and intended to be used to both project a game projectile and to catch a game projectile after it has been projected (i.e., a combined projector-catcher device) is, per se, included herein, and (d) any projector device or implement (other than one which is operated by explosive means) which is used for a game or sporting purpose and which is specifically adapted and intended to project a game projectile so that it travels upon a playing surface substantially at all times (i.e., the projectile is in contact with and moving over the playing surface either upon or immediately after projection) is, per se, included herein. Centrifugally or mechanically operated device or implement, per se, for projecting a projectile into the air, which device or implement may be used to project a game projectile is located elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
(3) Note. Although not generally used during the play of the types of games or sports included herein, devices or implements which are used by a player to practice or train for one of the types of games or sports included herein are provided for in Class 473. Since such practice and training devices or implements are designed to enable a player to improve or perfect his or her physical skills (e.g., motor skills, coordination, etc.) in the playing of any aspect of the game or sport for which it was designed for, they are included in Class 473 on the basis that they are ancillary or appurtenant to the types of games or sports provided for herein.
(4) Note. A ball, marble, die, top, etc. which is intended to be used as a chance device alone or intended to be used as part of a chance device or game apparatus (e.g., a die used as a chance device to generate a random number, letter, etc., a marble used as part of a roulette-wheel apparatus, or a die used to generate a number, letter, etc. during play of a board game apparatus, etc.) is not considered to be a projectile proper for Class 473 and is, therefore, excluded. Likewise, a marble or the like used to operate a "Rube Goldberg"" type of device, which device being used to play a game (for example, used in the play of a board game) is not considered to be a projectile proper for Class 473 and is, therefore, excluded. An object (often a representation of a horse, vehicle, person, etc.) which is propelled during play of a propelled racing game is not considered to be a projectile proper for Class 473 and is, therefore, excluded.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

This class is specific under Class 463, Amusement Devices: Games, which, in turn, is specific under Class 472, Amusement Devices.

Class 273, Amusement Devices: Games, is currently being reclassified through a series of stages. Upon completion of this reclassification, Class 273 will be abolished and replaced either by Class 473 or by Class 463, Amusement Devices: Games. Until this reclassification is completed, the portions of Class 273 which are relevant to Class 473 are to be considered an integral part of Class 473. Specifically, subclasses 108+ and 317+ of the Class 273 schedule are to be considered as following in hierarchy after the last occurring subclass in the Class 473 schedule. The rest of the subclasses of the Class 273 schedule are, for the most part, to be considered as following in hierarchy after the last occurring subclass in the Class 463 schedule. Also, since Class 273 has not been completely screened for all patents properly classifiable in present subclasses of Class 473, appropriate subclass(es) in Class 273 should be considered for search purposes until such time that Class 273 is finally abolished.

LINE WITH CLASS 463

The relationship between Class 473 and Class 463 is that Class 463 is the residual class for games, while Class 473 provides only for those specific types of games in which a ball, missile, or other such tangible projectile (other than a simulation or representation thereof) is used during play thereof. Accordingly, if a game (or a game component thereof) which uses a ball, missile, or other such tangible game projectile (other than a simulation or representation thereof) during play thereof is claimed or solely disclosed, then classification is in Class 473, otherwise, classification is in Class 463 or in the appropriate subclasses of Class 273, Amusement Devices: Games, which follow behind the subclasses of Class 463. However, note that Class 463 provides for (a) a game apparatus or means which uses a simulation or representation of a tangible projectile (e.g., a light-ray simulation of a projectile, a computer generated representation of a projectile, etc.), (b) a propelled racing game in which an object (often a representation of a horse, vehicle, person, etc.) is propelled during play thereof, and (c) a chance device, either per se or in combination with a game which does not use a tangible projectile, whether or not a projectile is included therein, and even if it is not a game or subcombination element of a game (these are, for the most part, still located in Class 273). See also (4) Note above for further elaboration of exceptions to what is provided for in Class 473.

LINE WITH CLASS 345

See Class 463, Amusement Devices: Games, References to Other Classes, in the Search Class note to Class 345 for an elaboration of the line between Class 345 and Class 463, the parent class for Class 473. A selectively controlled visual display system combined with a game component of a game provided for in Class 473 (e.g., a golf club, golf ball, tennis court, tennis court net, etc.) or with a practice or training device therefor (e.g., a golf club swing training device, baseball bat swing training device, etc.) is proper for Class 473.

LINE WITH CLASS 434

Class 473 and subclasses 108+ and 317+ of Class 273, Amusement Devices: Games, contain devices which are to be used for practice by, or for perfecting the physical skill of, a person who already knows how to play the game, sport, or the like. Class 434 contains devices which are to be used for instructing an unknowledgeable person in some aspect of the game, sport, or the like. A device which is used both for instruction and for practice or perfection of game skills is originally placed into Class 434 and cross-referenced into the Class 463 group of game classes (i.e., Classes 463, 473, or 273).

LINE WITH CLASS 446

Class 446, Amusement Devices: Toys, for a device known as a toy whose principle purpose is for the amusement or recreation of a child. If the device is used for the amusement or recreation of a child and is also a game component (i.e., used in a competition or contest), then it is placed into the Class 463 group of game classes (i.e., Classes 463, 473, or 273).

SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

2Apparel,   subclasses 2+ for protective clothing to be worn by athletes such as a football helmet, a baseball or boxing glove, a knee pad, etc.
42Firearms,   for a projecting device which uses an explosive means to provide the projecting force.
89Ordnance,   for a projecting device which uses an explosive means to provide the projecting force.
102Ammunition and Explosives,   subclasses 501+ for an explosively propelled projectile.
116Signals and Indicators,   subclasses 222 through 225for a mechanical signal or indicator, per se, which is intended to form part of or to be used with a game device.
124Mechanical Guns and Projectors,   for a mechanically or centrifugally operated projector device or implement, per se, which is used to project a projectile into or through the air as, for example, an archery bow, a slingshot, a baseball pitching machine, a tennis ball throwing machine, a clay pigeon throwing trap, or a fluid pressure, pinch, or centrifugally operated (e.g., a sling, etc.) type of projector device, etc.; and see the (2) Note above.
150Purses, Wallets, and Protective Covers,   subclasses 154+ for a protective cover made of flaccid material, especially subclass 163 for a flaccid cover for a racquet.
194Check-Actuated Control Mechanisms,   for a game or chance device involving a recited detail of a coin-controlled mechanism.
200Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers,   for an electrical switch, per se, especially subclasses 61.1+ for a switch responsive to the action of a game or amusement piece, Digest 2 for a body attached switch, Digest 3 for a coin operated switch, and Digest 23 for a game switch.
206Special Receptacle or Package,   subclasses 315.1+ for a container for, or a package for containing, a sport implement, exercise device, or game, especially subclasses 315.9+ for such a container or package for a ball (e.g., for a bowling ball, etc.).
221Article Dispensing,   for an article dispenser, per se, such as might be used for or included as a subcombination of a game or chance device.
235Registers,   for a register, per se, intended for use in a game, particularly subclass 1 for a miscellaneous game counter, subclass 61 for an odds computer, subclass 78 for a game calculator having concentric totalizing disks mounted upon a single axis, subclass 88 for a game calculator having tabular indicia placed upon disks which rotate about their centers, subclass 90 for a cribbage board, subclass 91 for a device for operating a register involving a billiards or pool game device, and subclasses 439+ for a coded record sensor structure (e.g., a bar code reader, etc.).
273Amusement Devices: Games,   subclasses 108+ for a surface projectile game, a game component (e.g., a target, etc.) or accessory therefor other than a projectile per se, subclasses 317+ for an aerial projectile game, a game component (e.g., a target, etc.) or accessory therefor other than a projector or projectile per se, subclasses 236+ for a board game, a game piece or board therefor, subclasses 138.1+ for a chance device, whether or not a projectile is included therein, and even if it is not a game or subcombination element of a game, subclasses 292+ for a card or tile game, a card or tile therefor, subclasses 153+ for a puzzle, and subclass 161 for a fortune-telling device. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above, for the line with Class 473.)
340Communications: Electrical,   subclass 323 for a game-reporting (e.g., scoreboard, indicator, etc.) electric signaling system per se, subclass 825.19 for communication or control for the handicapped, subclasses 5.01- 5.46 for intelligence comparison such as used for authoriza, access, identification, credit, etc., and other appropriate subclasses for audible, visual, or tactile communication.
345Computer Graphics Processing and Selective Visual Display Systems,   for a selectively controlled visual display system which may either form part of a game or not be limited to a game. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.)
377Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,   subclass 4 for a counter or register, per se, which is adapted to be controlled to accumulate a total involved in betting on the various possibilities involved in an event or to determine the odds involved in the payoff of the various possibilities and subclass 5 for a counter or register, per se, which is intended to be used with, in, or for a game or sport.
404Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,   particularly subclasses 17+ and 71 for pavement and road structure which may be usable for a game surface.
428Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,   for stock material in the form of a single or plural layer web or sheet which may be used in the fabrication of products provided for in Class 473.
434Education and Demonstration,   particularly subclasses 11+ for teaching or demonstration of an aspect of an organized armed or unarmed conflict or shooting, subclasses 29+ for a vehicle simulator for instruction or demonstration purposes, subclasses 247+ for a means specifically adapted to teach or instruct a person in some aspect of a game or sport which involves physical activity. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above, for the line between Class 434 and the Amusement Devices classes.)
446Amusement Devices: Toys,   for a device known as a toy whose principle purpose is for the amusement or recreation of a child. (See Lines With Other Classes, and Within This Class, above, for the line between Class 446 and the Amusement Device classes.)
463Amusement Devices: Games,   for a game apparatus or means, in general. (See Lines With Other Classes, and Within This Class, above, for the line between Class 463 and Class 473.)
472Amusement Devices,   subclasses 92+ (a) for the structure or composition of a playing surface, per se (b) for the structure or composition of a peripheral boundary marking or enclosure, per se, of such a playing surface, or (c) for the combination of only a playing surface and a peripheral boundary marking or enclosure therefor, all of the above of which are limited to use for an athletic or exhibition event such as, for example, the playing of a game or sport thereon or therein. Also see the Search Notes appended thereto.
602Surgery: Splint, Brace, or Bandage,   for an orthopedic bandage used to treat an injured body portion such as to provide protection, support, or splinting of a strained, sprained, dislocated, deformed, or fractured body portion, particularly subclasses 5+ for a brace intended to urge a body portion into a natural or normal orientation, subclasses 20+ for a brace applied to a person"s arm, wrist, or hand to treat a bone disorder or the muscles associated therewith, subclasses 23+ for a brace applied to a person"s leg, ankle, or foot to treat a bone disorder or the muscles associated therewith, and subclasses 41+ for a bandaging device for treating an injured body portion, even though specially adapted for use in supporting the injured body or body member of a person so as to function in a proper manner during play of a game.
700Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications,   subclasses 91 through 93for data processing or computation, per se, for the purpose of analyzing monitoring, or scoring a contest or game, which is not classifiable elsewhere.

SUBCLASSES

[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 1]    1BILLIARDS OR POOL:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter relating to a game which generally involves a horizontally disposed, planar playing surface bounded and defined by raised carom rails (i.e., bumper rails) for confining on the playing surface a plurality of balls which are being projected over the playing surface either into one another or rebounded off of the carom rails; the playing surface either (a) is continuous and has a continuous carom rail rim so that it is devoid of any pockets or other ball receiving receptacles (i.e., a billiard playing surface) or (b) has one or more pockets or receptacles adapted to receive therein or pass therethrough one or more of the balls (i.e., a pool or pocketed playing surface); in playing the game, at least one ball, commonly known as the cue ball, acts as a secondary projecting device and is used to strike and move over the playing surface one or more of the other balls, commonly known as object balls, which act as targets for the cue ball, the cue ball is first forcibly struck by a player aiming and manipulating a first projecting device, commonly known as a cue or cue stick, so as to project the cue ball either directly into engagement with the one or more of the object balls or by first banking or rebounding it off of one or more of the carom rails and then into engagement with the one or more of the object balls so as to move and either position the object balls in a specified arrangement on the playing surface or to pocket them, whereby the player may achieve a score according to the rules specified for the game.
(1) Note. In a game of this type balls are usually used but it is to be understood that ball equivalents may be used in their stead provided that they act, other than the fact that they probably do not roll, in the same manner that balls would in playing the game. That is, the ball equivalents should move one another about over the playing surface and should carom or rebound off of one another or the carom rails in the same manner as balls would.
(2) Note. Usually, the initial projecting device (i.e., the cue) used to strike the cue ball is a long, tapering, tipped rod or stick but other types of cues that may be used include a mechanically operated cue, a mallet type cue, etc.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

235Registers,   for a score totalizing apparatus, per se, intended for use in a game, particularly subclass 91 for a device for operating a register involving a billiards or pool game device.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 2]    2Practice device or device to aid in aiming cue or cue ball during shots (e.g., to assist in bank shots, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter comprising either (a) a means to enable a player to improve or perfect his or her skills in the playing of any aspect of the game, or (b) a means to assist a player in determining the proper alignment or position that the cue device must be in so that the cue ball projected thereby moves in the desired direction, or (c) a means to assist a player in calculating or otherwise determining the direction or angle that the cue ball must be projected in order for it to, in turn, project the desired object ball or balls in the desired direction.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

42+,for a device known as a cue rest or bridge. Although cue rests or bridges can somewhat be interpreted as assisting the player in aligning the cue during shots, they are not included here because their primary function is to aid in supporting the cue during difficult shots such as ones in which the player has difficulty in extending his or her cue supporting and guiding hand close enough to the cue ball to make a reasonably accurate shot. That is, cue rests or bridges do not primarily function to enable a player to determine the proper alignment or position of the cue or the proper direction or angle that a cue ball must be projected to achieve the desired result.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

434Education and Demonstration,   particularly subclasses 128+ for a means specifically adapted to teach or instruct a person in some aspect of playing a game which uses a gameboard or table such as chess or checkers, and subclasses 247+ for a means specifically adapted to teach or instruct a person in some aspect of a game or sport which involves physical activity.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 3]    3Adapted to be played on floor, ground, or court:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein, during play of the game, the playing surface is or is adapted to be located substantially on a surface that the player normally stands (e.g., on the floor, a rug, or the ground, etc.) or the playing surface comprises a court structure, either permanent or otherwise, which is located on such surface, whereby the player must use a mallet or club as the cue to strike the cue ball due to the playing surface being located at substantially his or her feet.
(1) Note. Often the playing surface is of such size that the player stands on the playing surface during play of the game.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 4]    4Table or gameboard:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter wherein the playing surface along with its peripheral carom rails are the upper surface portion of a furniture structure known as a table which is particularly adapted for playing the game of billiards or pool, whereby the playing surface is located generally at a height of somewhat the same level as the trunk region of the player"s body when the player is in standing position during play of the game; or wherein the playing surface along with its peripheral carom rails is a somewhat portable structure having no or very short legs or support structure, whereby the playing surface is adapted to be located on a support at approximately normal table height during play of the game.
(1) Note. Also included herein, is a table or gameboard which presents its playing surface at, or adapted to be at, such a height that the player can play the game while in a sitting position.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

248Supports,   subclasses 188.2+ for an elevating or leveling device for furniture.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 5]    5With mechanical ball projector:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the table or gameboard is combined with a mechanically operated cue means for projecting or impelling the cue ball over the playing surface.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

45,for a mechanically operated cue device, per se, for projecting a ball over the playing surface of a billiard or pool game.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

273Amusement Devices: Games,   particularly subclasses 119+ for a surface projectile game device in which there is a mechanically operated means for projecting a ball over a playing surface, which projecting means is combined with and attached to the surface over which the ball is projected.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 6]    6Convertible between billiard and pool (i.e., between pocketed and nonpocketed):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter either (a) wherein the table or gameboard is convertible from a billiard playing surface to a pool playing surface, or vice versa, whereby either the game of billiards or pool can be played on the same table or gameboard; or (b) comprises a device for converting a table or gameboard from a billiard playing surface to a pool playing surface, or vice versa, whereby either the game of billiards or pool can be played on the same table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 7]    7Using pocket blocking device positionable only in vicinity of pocket (e.g., pocket plug, rail piece, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter either (a) wherein a table or gameboard having a pocketed playing surface includes a means removably located within a ball receiving pocket or removably located only at or only in front of the ball entry portion of a ball receiving pocket, whereby a ball moving over the playing surface during play of the game is prevented from entering the ball receiving pocket; or (b) wherein such a means for preventing a ball from entering a pocket is provided for use with such a pocketed table or gameboard.
(1) Note. The pocket blocking device may be attached to the table or gameboard in such a manner that it may be shifted at will into or out of ball blocking position or it may be a separate device which is placed into or removed from ball blocking position as desired.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 8]    8Using interchangeable, shiftable, reversible, or removable cushion rails:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein a table or gameboard having a pocketed playing surface includes or there is provided for use with the table or gameboard (a) carom rails which, when placed in position on the playing surface, prevent a ball moving over the playing surface from entering the pockets of the playing surface and other carom rails which, when placed in position on the playing surface, allow a ball moving over the playing surface to enter the pockets; (b) carom rails which are movably mounted or invertibly mounted on the playing surface whereby, when they are in one position, prevent a ball moving over the playing surface from entering the pockets and, when they are in the other position, allow a ball moving over the playing surface to enter the pockets; or (c) additional carom rails which, when removably placed in position inside the regular carom rails of the playing surface, prevent a ball moving over the playing surface from entering the pockets.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 9]    9Invertible playing surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the table or gameboard includes a planar body having a playing surface located on the opposite sides thereof, one playing surface having pockets for playing the game of pool and the other playing surface being devoid of pockets for playing the game of billiards, and wherein the planar body may be reversed at will so as to present uppermost the playing surface desired for the game to be played.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 10]    10Convertible to another type of furniture or to different type of game playing surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter either (a) wherein the table or gameboard is convertible from a billiard or pool game apparatus to either another article of furniture such as a dining table, desk, sofa, etc., or to another playing surface for playing a game other than billiards or pool such as bowling, golf, chess, etc.; or (b) comprises a device for converting a table or gameboard from a billiard or pool game apparatus to such another article of furniture or to such another playing surface for playing a game other than billiards or pool.
(1) Note. It is to be understood that a billiard or pool table or gameboard which has been converted to another article of furniture or to a different type of game playing surface usually can be converted back to its original form.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 11]    11Rail vertically raised or lowered relative to bed:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the conversion process involves vertically moving at least one carom rail bounding and defining the playing surface of a billiard or pool table or gameboard between an upper, upstanding position relative to the playing surface to a lowered, no longer upstanding position relative to the playing surface.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 12]    12Vertically movable playing surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the conversion process involves raising or lowering the playing surface.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 13]    13Detachable or hinged rail:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein the conversion process involves either attaching or removing at least one carom rail or rotating at least one carom rail about an axis to a first position which provides one converted form or to a second position which provides the second converted form.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 14]    14Convertible to different type of game playing surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Subject matter wherein at least the playing surface of the table or gameboard is convertible from a billiard or pool game apparatus to another playing surface for playing a game other than billiards or pool such as, for example, bowling, golf, chess, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 15]    15Readily foldable or collapsible:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the table or gameboard includes means to enable it, or a portion thereof, to be readily rolled up, folded, or otherwise collapsed into a volume which is less than what is taken up when the game is being played.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 16]    16Rotatable playing surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the playing surface is mounted on a supporting structure and either (a) is mounted on the supporting structure in such a manner that it is adapted to be readily pivoted (i.e., turned) about an axis located in or passing through the supporting structure, or (b) the supporting structure itself contains means to enable the playing surface to be readily pivoted or turned about an axis.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

10+,for a table or gameboard in which the playing surface thereof may be pivoted about an axis to effect conversion to another type of furniture or to a different type of game playing surface.
15,for a billiard or pool table or gameboard in which the playing surface thereof may be pivoted about an axis to effect the folding or collapsing of the table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 17]    17Having pocket or other target with ball actuated indicator:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the playing surface includes at least one receptacle or other target means adapted to receive or be engaged by a ball projected and thereby moving on the playing surface; and wherein the receptacle or target means includes means associated therewith which is actuated or operated by the ball to indicate to the player that the projected ball has entered the receptacle or engaged the target means.
(1) Note. The mere visual presence of a ball residing in a pocket or striking the target or the mere observance that a ball entered and passed through a pocket opening or other target is not sufficient for inclusion herein.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 18]    18Playing surface having unconventional peripheral configuration defined by the carom rails:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the playing surface which is bounded and defined by the upstanding carom rail rim has, when viewed in plan, a planar shape other than rectangular, the planar shape of the playing surface of a conventional billiard or pool table or gameboard being considered to be a rectangle having two parallel sides longer than the other two parallel sides.
(1) Note. A table or gameboard having playing surface which has a square peripheral configuration is included herein, even though a plane figure having a square shape is mathematically considered to be a species of a rectangle having all of its sides of equal length.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 19]    19Attachment or accessory providing plural pockets or other targets located at only one end of playing surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter comprising a device or other means adapted to be used with and attached to or placed upon one end of the playing surface of a billiard or pool table or gameboard having a conventionally shaped playing surface, which device or means providing a plurality of ball receiving receptacles or ball engaging points of aim located at one end of the playing surface, whereby the game to be played utilizes only those receptacles or points of aim located at the said one of the playing surface.
(1) Note. As noted in the immediately preceding subclass, a billiard or pool playing surface having a conventional planar shape is considered to be one which is rectangular in shape, the rectangular shape being of the type having two parallel sides longer than the other two parallel sides.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 20]    20Playing surface having unconventional number, entrance opening, or arrangement of pockets or having additional or shiftable carom or bumper means thereon:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter (a) wherein the table or gameboard has a playing surface having ball receiving pockets and wherein (1) the number of pockets disposed on the playing surface, (2) the specific locations of the pockets on the playing surface, or (3) the shape of the ball receiving openings of the pockets on the playing surface differ from the number, arrangement, or opening shape of the pockets of the playing surface of a conventional or standard pocketed pool table or gameboard; a conventional or standard pocketed pool table or gameboard having a rectangularly shaped playing surface with six pockets thereon, one pocket being located at each of the corners of the playing surface and one pocket being located in the middle of each of the longitudinal sides of the playing surface, and the ball receiving openings of the pockets being generally circular in shape; or (b) wherein the playing surface has located thereon, in addition to the peripheral carom rails defining the playing surface, at least one additional means for rebounding a ball therefrom; or wherein at least one of the peripheral carom rails, a portion thereof, or an additional ball rebounding means located on the playing surface is so mounted on the playing surface that it may be moved over the surface by a ball striking and rebounding from it.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

28,for the structural details of a ball receiving pocket located in or on a table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 21]    21Table attached ball rack:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter including a means for storing the balls that are used in playing the game and wherein either the means is attached to the table or gameboard as a part thereof or is a separate means that is intended to be attached to the table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 22]    22With conveying chutes interconnecting pockets with ball rack:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Subject matter wherein the playing surface has ball receiving receptacles located thereon or therein and wherein the table or gameboard includes conveying troughs, channels, guideways, or other plural chute means for carrying balls from the receptacles to at least one ball storage rack which is common to at least two of the receptacles.
(1) Note. Usually, all of the pockets are connected by conveying chutes to a common ball storage rack.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

28,for the structural details of a ball receiving pocket located in or on a table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 23]    23With means to distinguish or identify each ball pocketed:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter wherein the table or gameboard includes means associated therewith to detect that a ball has been pocketed during play of the game; the game further utilizing a set of balls in which each ball has a detectable characteristic which is different from the characteristic of every other ball of the set; and wherein the detection means further includes means to determine the particular characteristic and therefor the identity of each ball from every other ball that is pocketed.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 24]    24Coin controlled:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter wherein the table or gameboard includes means associated therewith (a) to prevent unauthorized use of the table or gameboard for playing a game, (b) to limit the amount of time that the table or gameboard may be used to play a game, or (c) to limit the number of games that may be played; and wherein the prevention or limiting means is controlled by a mechanism which accepts a predetermined number of units or amount of monetary currency to release the prevention or limiting means so that a game or games may be played.

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27,for a table or gameboard having an unauthorized use prevention, time limiting, or number-of-games limiting means which is not under the control of a coin-release mechanism.
52+,for a ball, per se, particularly subclass 53 for a ball having a characteristic enabling it to be mechanically separated from other balls.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 25]    25With means to segregate or separately store balls pocketed by each player or team:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter wherein the ball rack includes means or the table or gameboard includes additional means to at least temporarily store the balls pocketed by each particular player or team of players separately from the balls pocketed by any other player or team.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 26]    26Ball rack also constitutes or includes spotting rack:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Subject matter wherein the ball rack, in addition to storing the balls used in the game, either also functions as a means or includes means associated therewith to facilitate grouping the balls in formation on the playing surface.

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41,for a ball spotting rack which either is combined with or also functions as a ball carrying or storage means.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 27]    27With means to prevent unauthorized use of table or to limit playing time or number of games played:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter wherein the table or gameboard includes means associated therewith (a) to prevent unauthorized use of the table or gameboard for playing a game, (b) to limit the amount of time that the table or gameboard may be used to play a game, or (c) to limit the number of games that may be played.

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24,for a table or gameboard having an unauthorized use prevention, time limiting, or number-of-games limiting means which is under the control of a coin-release mechanism.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 28]    28Pocket structure:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter relating to the structural details of at least one ball receiving receptacle located on or in the playing surface of a pool table or gameboard.
(1) Note. The ball receiving pocket or receptacle either may be one in which a ball enters and is held therein or is one in which a ball enters and passes therethrough to, for example, a chute or trough which leads to a ball storage rack attached to the pool table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 29]    29Playing surface structure (i.e., bed structure):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter relating to the structural details of the playing surface, commonly known as the bed, of a billiard or pool table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 30]    30Device for securing playing surface covering (e.g., for securing billiard table cloth, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 29.  Subject matter relating to a device or other means for securing a covering material, usually consisting of a fabric material, in place on the bed.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 31]    31Rail structure:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter relating to the structural details of the peripheral carom rails or bumper rails which bound and define the playing surface of a pool or billiard table or gameboard.

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6+,particularly subclass 8 for a table or gameboard which is convertible between billiards and pool and in which the rails are interchangeable, shiftable, reversible, or removable to effect or facilitate the conversion.
10+,for rail structure details of a table or gameboard which is convertible to another type of furniture or to play a different type of game, particularly subclass 11 in which the rails are raised or lowered to effect the conversion and subclass 13 in which the rails are detachable or hinged so as to facilitate the conversion.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 32]    32Cushioned portion thereof:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 31.  Subject matter relating to the cushioning or padded portion of the carom rail or bumper rail upon which a ball moving over the playing surface may impinge and be rebounded or caromed therefrom.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 33]    33Frame or leg structure:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter either (a) relating to the structure of the table or gameboard, commonly known as the frame, upon which the bed or playing surface and the carom rails or bumper rails are supported or (b) relating to the structural details of at least one leg of a table or gameboard which is mounted upon at least one supporting leg, or relating to the attachment of the one or more legs to the rest of the table or gameboard.

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15,for a table or gameboard which is readily foldable or collapsible and in which the legs thereof, if there are any, may be pivotally or removably attached.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 34]    34Dust cover therefor:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Subject matter comprising a protective covering means specifically adapted to cover at least the playing surface of a billiard or pool table or gameboard when it is not in use to play a game.

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135Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane,   subclass 115 for a cover adapted to be used on a portable shelter.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 35]    35Cue chalker:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter comprising a means specifically adapted to facilitate the application of chalk or an analogous material to the ball-striking surface of a cue (i.e., to the cue tip) so as to increase the friction between the cue tip and a ball whenever the ball is struck by the cue.
(1) Note. Also included herein is a structure, such as a specially designed block, formed from chalk or an analogous material which is specifically designed and intended for use in the chalking of cue tips.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 36]    36Chalk holder:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 35.  Subject matter comprising a means for holding, containing, or otherwise carrying the chalk or analogous material.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 37]    37With means for automatically applying chalk:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Subject matter wherein the chalk holder includes means for automatically applying the chalk to the cue tip whenever the tip engages the chalk or the holder therefor.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 38]    38Flexibly tethered:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Subject matter wherein the chalk holder is fastened to a support by means of a cord or an equivalent elongated, flaccid member.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 39]    39Secured to generally fixed support:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Subject matter wherein the chalk holder is attached to a generally immovable support.
(1) Note. The support may be a table or gameboard or may be the ceiling or wall structure of a building or room.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 40]    40Ball spotting rack:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter comprising a device for facilitating the grouping of a plurality of balls in formation on the playing surface of a table or gameboard.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 41]    41With ball carrying or storage means:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 40.  Subject matter wherein the spotting rack either is combined with or also functions as a means (a) to transport a plurality of balls as a group from one place to another or (b) to store a plurality of balls when they are not being used during play of the game.

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26,for a ball rack attached to a table or gameboard, which ball rack either includes or also functions as a ball spotting rack.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 42]    42Cue rest:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter comprising a device, commonly known as a cue rest or bridge, for supporting the cue during the time the player is in the act of projecting a ball located on the playing surface (i.e., during the time the player is making a shot).

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2,for a billiard or pool game practice device or a device used in such a game to aid the player in aiming the cue or cue ball during shots; and see the Search Note appended thereto for the line distinction between the subject matter contained in that subclass and the cue rests or bridges contained herein.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 43]    43Hand attached or engaged by hand in vicinity of cue supporting portion:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 42.  Subject matter wherein either (a) the cue rest or bridge is secured to at least a portion of the player"s hand during a shot or; (b) the cue rest or bridge includes means located in the vicinity of the cue supporting portion thereof adapted and intended to receive at least a portion of a player"s hand during a shot.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 44]    44Cue:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Subject matter comprising a projecting device, commonly known as a cue or cue stick, for projecting or impelling a ball located on the playing surface of a billiard or pool table or gameboard.
(1) Note. Usually, the projecting device (i.e., the cue) used to strike a ball, usually the cue ball, is a long, tapering, tipped rod or stick but other types of cues that may be used include a mechanically operated cue or a mallet type cue.

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1,for a device specifically adapted and intended to be used for resurfacing, cleaning, or trimming the ball-projecting tips of cues.

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30Cutlery,   subclass 494 for a billiard cue trimmer classifiable therein which is adapted to shape an end of a billiard cue stick.
273Amusement Devices: Games,   subclass 129 for a device or implement adapted to project or impel a game projectile for travel upon a playing surface of a surface projectile game.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 45]    45Mechanically operated:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 44.  Subject matter wherein the cue includes a mechanical means for projecting or impelling a ball over the playing surface.

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5,for a mechanically operated cue device combined with a table or gameboard used to play billiard or pool games.

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124Mechanical Guns and Projectors,   particularly subclasses 16+ for a device for projecting a projectile into or through the air, which projecting device is spring operated.
273Amusement Devices: Games,   particularly subclasses 119+ for a surface projectile game device in which there is a mechanically operated means for projecting a ball over a playing surface, which projecting means is combined with and attached to the surface over which the ball is projected; and subclass 129 for a projecting device adapted for use in projecting or impelling a projectile over the playing surface of a surface projectile game.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 46]    46Disparate attachment therefor or convertible to or combined with disparate device:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 44.  Subject matter (a) wherein the cue includes structure enabling it to be converted to or from a device which no longer functions as a cue (e.g., a combined billiard cue and walking cane, etc.), or (b) comprises a structure which is combined with or adapted to be removably attached to a cue whereby the structure is not commonly associated with a cue (e.g., a scorekeeping, glove, or cue tip scuffing means).
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 47]    47With user adjustable or changeable weight:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 44.  Subject matter wherein the cue includes a player shiftable or player replaceable weight member whereby the player may alter the balance or the total weight of the cue as desired.
  
[List of Patents for class 473 subclass 48]    48