Pool table construction with splicer-connected peripheral panel members

Claim 1

A pool table comprising a metallic frame including a pair of longitudinal frame members each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart openings therein, a plurality of transversely extending spaced apart elongate hollow truss members each having opposite ends thereof extending through openings in said longitudinal frame member, a substantially flat rectangular bed mounted on said frame, a rail and bumper structure positioned upon said bed adjacent the marginal portions thereof, means releasably clamping the bed and the rail and bumper structure on the frame, a plurality of similar vertically oriented external panels mounted on said frame along the entire periphery thereof, each of said panels having a pair of generally vertically inclined slots therein each slot located adjacent one end of the associated panel, the slots on adjacent end portions of a pair of abutting end-to-end panels diverging generally in a vertical direction, and extending laterally towards each other, a plurality of similar generally vertically oriented substantially flat elongate splicer members interconnecting said panels together in end-to-end abutting relation, each splicer member having vertical edges and having a pair of spaced apart vertically extending panel engaging elements integral therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom, and spaced inwardly from said vertical edges, said panel engaging elements on each splicer member diverging in a vertical direction away from each other, and extending laterally towards each other, the panel engaging elements on a splicer member, when positioned in a pair of slots in adjacent end portions of a pair of panels coacting with the slots to progressively urge the adjacent ends of the panels towards each other in tight abutting relation as the associated splicer member is moved vertically in a clamping direction, each pair of panels being readily separable when the associated splicer member is urged vertically in a release direction, and a plurality of similar connecting members each being secured to each panel and to said frame.