Cue Holder

Abstract

A cue holder includes a shelf having a major surface configured to be mounted facing upward. The shelf includes an opening extending through the shelf from the major surface to another major surface in a direction perpendicular to the major surfaces. The opening also extends from an outside perimeter. The opening is configured to receive a cue through the opening extending from the outside perimeter. The shelf is configured to support the entire weight of the received cue within the opening.

1 . A cue holder comprising:
 a shelf comprising a first major surface configured to be mounted facing upward, and a first opening extending through the shelf from the first major surface to a second major surface in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface and extending from an outside perimeter, the first opening configured to receive a cue through the first opening extending from the outside perimeter, the shelf configured to support the entire weight of the received cue within the first opening.   
     
     
         2 . The cue holder of  claim 1  wherein the first opening includes a substantially circular portion from a plan view of the first major surface. 
     
     
         3 . The cue holder of  claim 2  wherein the first opening includes a second portion between the substantially circular portion and the outside perimeter having a width measured at the outside perimeter that is smaller than twice the radius of the substantially circular portion as measured from the plan view of the first major surface. 
     
     
         4 . The cue holder of  claim 3  wherein the substantially circular portion of the first opening is tapered such that the radius of the substantially circular portion of the first opening is greater at a location nearer the first major surface than at a location further from the first major surface. 
     
     
         5 . The cue holder of  claim 4  wherein the radius of the substantially circular portion of the first opening at the first of the major surfaces is greater than the radius of the substantially circular portion of the first opening at the second of the major surface. 
     
     
         6 . The cue holder of  claim 4  wherein the taper of the substantially circular portion of the first opening substantially matches the taper of the received cue. 
     
     
         7 . The cue holder of  claim 1  wherein the first opening is further configured such that an elongated dimension of the received cue is to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the first major surface with a handle of the cue above a tip of the cue. 
     
     
         8 . The cue holder of  claim 1  wherein the shelf is constructed using a material selected from group consisting of wood, plastic, and metal. 
     
     
         9 . A cue holder comprising:
 a shelf portion comprising a first major surface configured to be mounted facing upward, and a first opening extending through the shelf from the first major surface to a second major surface in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface and extending from an outside perimeter, the first opening configured to receive a cue through the first opening extending from the outside perimeter, the shelf configured to support the entire weight of the received cue within the first opening; and   a mounting portion attached to the shelf portion, the mounting portion configured to attach the shelf to a vertically oriented surface.   
     
     
         10 . The cue holder of  claim 9  wherein the first opening includes a substantially circular portion from a plan view of the first major surface. 
     
     
         11 . The cue holder of  claim 10  wherein the first opening includes a second portion between the substantially circular portion and the outside perimeter having a width measured at the outside perimeter that is smaller than twice the radius of the substantially circular portion as measured from the plan view of the first major surface. 
     
     
         12 . The cue holder of  claim 11  wherein the substantially circular portion of the first opening is tapered such that the radius of the substantially circular portion of the first opening is greater at a location nearer the first major surface than at a location further from the first major surface. 
     
     
         13 . The cue holder of  claim 12  wherein the radius of the substantially circular portion of the first opening at the first of the major surfaces is greater than the radius of the substantially circular portion of the first opening at the second of the major surface. 
     
     
         14 . The cue holder of  claim 12  wherein the taper of the substantially circular portion of the first opening substantially matches the taper of the received cue. 
     
     
         15 . A cue holder comprising:
 a shelf comprising a first major surface configured to be mounted facing upward, and a first opening extending through the shelf from the first major surface to a second major surface in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface and extending from an outside perimeter, the first opening configured to receive a cue through the first opening extending from the outside perimeter, the shelf configured to support the entire weight of the received cue within the first opening, and wherein the first opening forms an inside perimeter, a portion of the inside perimeter being tapered.   
     
     
         16 . The cue holder of  claim 15  wherein the tapered portion of the first opening is larger at a location nearer the first major surface than at a location further from the first major surface. 
     
     
         17 . The cue holder of  claim 16  wherein the taper of tapered portion of the first opening substantially matches the taper of the received cue.