A pool table or the like (10) is formed from a trough (20) whose edges support the bed (12) of the table and have the cushions (34) attached to them. The trough includes means for directing potted balls in a particular manner, which may be in the form of channels (28). Sound-deadening material may be provided on the trough. The cushions can be attached to the trough by clips (56), pegs (90) or conventional means. The invention also extends to the trough itself, and to a method of assembling a ta...

A skimmer system is provided which includes a reservoir, an inlet, a reservoir pump and a weir. The skimmer system may be attached to a tank having fluid therein. The fluid in the tank defines a tank fluid surface, and the fluid in the reservoir defines a reservoir fluid surface. The reservoir receives fluid from the tank via the inlet, and the tank receives fluid from the reservoir via the reservoir pump. When the skimmer system is activated, the level of the reservoir fluid surface may be main...

A push side pool cleaner (1) has a spheroidal overall shape, within this shape two outer segments (9, 10) serve as wheels and a central zone (8) carries a suction passage (33) and a debris collector (32) also located entirely within the overall shape. The wheels are driven directly by water jets (44, 45) without any gears or other transmission. A flow splitter is provided in the cleaner (1) to divide push side water flow between the jets (44, 45) which drive the wheels and jets (43) which provid...

A cue stick for use in the game of billiards having a one-piece ferrule-tip. The cue stick does not employ a conventional wood cue tip but rather has a modified ferrule-tip which serves as a resilient tip for striking a cue ball. The cue stick of the present invention has one embodiment for causing a struck cue ball to be jumped over an obstructing ball by elevating the handle of the cue stick to an appropriate height, which is lower than if a conventional cue stick were used, and striking the c...

A pool monitoring system includes a hydrophone configured to generate an electrical signal in response to receiving a pressure wave in the liquid of a pool, and a processor configured to receive the electrical signal and generate a trigger signal, when the electrical signal includes a characteristic signature over a time period within a predetermined range of time periods.

A cue stick for use in the game of billiards having a one-piece ferrule-tip. The cue stick does not employ a conventional wood cue tip but rather has a modified ferrule-tip which serves as a resilient tip for striking a cue ball. The cue stick of the present invention has one embodiment for causing a struck cue ball to be jumped over an obstructing ball by elevating the handle of the cue stick to an appropriate height, which is lower than if a conventional cue stick were used, and striking the c...

An apparatus for assisting individuals in cleaning their pools. The apparatus comprises a cleaning head that is capable of being attached to a shaft or handle. The cleaning head comprises a base and a replaceable mop head that slides into the base. The replaceable mop head can only be removed from the base when from either side of the base. The base also has an attached receptacle for receiving a shaft or handle, which is removably attached to the base.

A simple winterizing/maintenance process which enables the pool owner to take samples of a swimming pool water, analyze it, and add the appropriate chemicals to the pool during the wintertime off-season months when it is covered and out of normal service. A device has been designed to distribute chemicals throughout a pool and provide the necessary mixing action to assure homogeneity of the water and chemicals. This entire process is performed with the pool cover in place and the main pool pump ...

A protective assembly for an above ground swimming pool includes a pool cover and plural clips for securing the cover to the pool coping. The cover is fabricated from lightweight, polyester, mesh material. The material has an open weave to allow sunlight and rain therethrough and allow complete circulation and filtration of pool water. However, the weave is of a gauge small enough to prevent debris from trees, insects, animals and the like from coming in contact with the water in the pool. Uniqu...

The invention relates to a pool skimmer including first and second tubular members that are telescopically displaceable with respect to one another, flotation means for suspending it substantially vertically in a body of water, and a tubular connector mounted on the second tubular member in liquid communication with a space defined within the tubular members and defining connector formations for connecting it in line with a hose of a pool pump. In operation in a body of water, the pump creates s...