Inventor chalks up a winner
THE mateship formed at the Coral Coast Men's Shed has resulted in an ingenious invention, which will allow one-armed people to play a game of pool with ease.
Coral Coast Men's Shed president Michael Garrett said he was inspired to create the pool cue-holding device after the shed received a pool table.
He said the men from the shed were refurbishing the donated pool table and he thought it would be nice if everyone, regardless of disabilities, could play a game.
"The Men's Shed is about helping men in our community," he said.
"The device is a little cue rest that you can adjust the angle of the rest and when you pick up the pool cue it stays attached to the pool rest."
Mr Garrett said his prototype had a nylon base and a stainless steel riser that the pool cue sits in.
"It is nothing flash but it does the job," he said.
"It provides a stable rest and you can really slam the ball as there is enough weight to stabilise and support it.
"I played a couple of games with one arm and it worked really well."
Mr Garrett said if others were interested in getting a copy of the device they could contact him.
"It is patent pending," he said.
"Two people told me I should patent it and I am definitely considering it."
Mr Garrett said the Men's Shed was an Australia-wide organisation with about 450 sheds in operation.
"We always welcome new members over the age of 18," he said.
"We have men as young as 25 here right up to 80."
The Coral Coast Men's Shed is located on 596 Windermere Rd and members meet Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8-11am.
Mr Garrett said they worked on various projects, played games and met for a chat at their meetings.
"A bloke that doesn't have a shed or a heap of tools can come down here for that or just for the mateship," he said.
For more information call Mr Garrett on 0437 201 158.
