GB2348149A

GB2348149A - Practice aid and games table for a snooker type games

Info

Publication number: GB2348149A
Application number: GB9906658A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Toothill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-24
Filing date: 1999-03-24
Publication date: 2000-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-24
Also published as: GB2348149B; GB9906658D0

Abstract

A position indicator device 50 is located adjacent to a object ball 16 in order for the indicator 50 to define the position that a cue ball must be in at the point of contact with the object ball 16 in order for the object ball 16 to travel towards a target. The indicator device 50 may be an illuminated indicator which is projected onto the playing surface 12 from below the playing surface (see Figure 5). A cut away portion 60 enables the light source of the indicator to rotate about the spot on which the object ball 16 is placed. Alternatively, the position indicator may be a pointer (74, Figures 6 and 7) positioned above the playing surface 12. The pointer (74) is mounted on an arm (78) which is connected to the underneath of the table so that the pointer can rotate about the object ball 16. Also disclosed is a snooker type games table (10, Figure 3) with a movable target (18) located about an arcuate section of the periphery of the table. The table can be used as a snooker type game to be played in a confined space, die being used to select which position the movable target is to be placed and/or which colour ball is to be played, or can be used to practice potting at a variety of angles.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GAMES TABLES Field of the Invention The invention relates to games, especially (but not limited to) a ball game incorporating position indicator means, and a ball game incorporating a movable target.

Background to the Invention In snooker type games, when a player fails to pot a ball he does not know whether he selected the correct contact point but failed to direct the cue ball correctly, or whether he selected the wrong contact point but directed the cue ball correctly, or whether the failure to pot the ball was a combination of both faults. Therefore, there is a lot of trial and error when practising such games. This can be very time consuming and the player does not receive objective feedback in relation to learning to pot the balls. Such objective feedback in relation to potting the balls would enable the player to improve more quickly and to learn to correct any mistakes.

Snooker type tables generally require the player to access the table from all sides. The players must also be able cue a shot from all sides of the table and this, therefore, means that a snooker type table generally requires a substantial space.

The term snooker type games is intended to refer to all games similar to snooker, for examples, billiards and pool.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a ball game incorporating a position indicator means arranged, in use, to define the position that a first ball must strike a second ball in order for at least one of the balls to move in a specific direction.

The ball game may be a snooker type ball game.

Preferably the first ball is a cue ball. Preferably the second ball is an object ball.

Preferably the position indicator means defines the position that a first ball must strike a second ball in order for the second ball to move in a specific direction.

Preferably the direction is towards a target and preferably a pocket.

Preferably the position indicator means shows the position that the first ball must be in at the point of contact with the second ball.

Preferably the position indicator means is connected to movable means which may be rotating means. Preferably the position indicator means can be moved about the second ball. Preferably the position indicator means is arranged, in use, to be moved about the second ball to a position dependent upon the specific direction that one of the balls is intended to move.

Preferably the ball game incorporates a table.

Preferably the surface of the table is substantially planar.

Preferably the upper surface of the games table comprises a textile. The textile may contain polyester, and preferably is substantially 100% polyester.

Preferably the upper surface of the games table is supported by a support layer. Preferably this layer comprises a clear material. Preferably the material is perspex. The layer may be less than 10 mm in thickness and preferably is in the region of 2-4 mm in thickness.

The support layer of the games table may be on a second support layer. The second support layer may comprise wood.

The second support layer may have a cut out section to enable light to be projected on to the textile surface.

The position indicator means may provide an illuminated indicator. The games table may comprise power control means for an illuminated indicator. The power control means may be operable by a switch and may be operable by a pressure sensitive switch. The switch may be located under a part of the surface of the games table.

Preferably the position indicator means produces an illuminated indicator to show the position that the first ball should be in at the point of contact with the second ball. Preferably the illuminated indicator is projected on to the surface of, the games table. Preferably the illuminated indicator is projected on to the underneath of the surface of the games table. Preferably the illuminated indicator is substantially the same size as the circumference of the first ball. Preferably the illuminated indicator is movable about the periphery of the second ball.

Preferably the source of the illuminated indicator is mounted on the moving means. Preferably the moving means moves about the second ball.

The position indicator means may comprise a pointer.

The pointer may be arranged, in use, to be located above the surface of the games table. Preferably the pointer is spaced from the surface of the games table by a distance greater than the diameter of the first ball. The pointer may comprise a solid half spherical indicator. The pointer may further comprise a central pointing projection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating apparatus as previously referred to in the first aspect of the present invention.

The method may comprise defining the position that a first ball must strike a second ball in order for at least one of the balls to move in a specific direction. The method may comprise moving position indicator means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a ball game incorporating a games table and a target for an object ball, the target being movable about at least a part of the periphery of the games table between at least a first position and a second position.

The games table may be a snooker type games table.

Preferably the target is located adjacent to the periphery of the playing surface of the table. The target may be a snooker pocket type target. Preferably the target comprises two barrier members defining a target area therebetween. The space between the two barrier members may provide an access to a channel portion located about the periphery of the playing surface of the games table.

The channel portion is preferably located below the surface of the playing area.

The distance between the two barrier members may be adjustable.

The distance between the two barrier members is preferably greater than the diameter of an object ball used in snooker type games. Preferably the distance is greater than 2 inches and more preferably is greater than 2 1/16 inches. The distance between the two barrier members may be adjustable.

Preferably the target is connected to moving means.

Preferably the moving means is arranged, in use, to be mounted underneath the games table. Preferably the moving means is arranged, in use, to move about an object ball.

Preferably the target is connected to rotating means.

Preferably the rotating means is arranged, in use, to rotate about an object ball. Preferably the rotating means is located underneath the games table.

Preferably the barrier members can be rotated. The barrier members may be substantially circular in cross section. The barrier members may have a resilient material located about their peripheries. The barrier members may abut a track. The barrier members may be arranged, in use, to exert a force on the track. The target may be connected to a spring member.

A portion of the periphery of the games table is preferably arcuate. The target is preferably movable along at least a portion of the arcuate section of the periphery of the games table. Preferably the arcuate section extends through less than 360 degrees. Preferably the arcuate section extends through approximately 170-210 degrees.

Preferably the games table has a shallow recess in order for an object ball to be accurately placed. The games table may have a spot for the correct placement of a cue ball.

Preferably indicators are located about the arcuate portion of the periphery of the game table in order to identify set locations for a target. Preferably there are six such indicators.

The games table may comprise at least two targets.

One target may be for an object ball and one target may be for a cue ball.

The ball game may incorporate a position indicator means in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating apparatus as previously referred to in the third aspect of the present invention.

The method may comprise moving the target about at least a part of the periphery of the games table. The method may comprise moving the target and position indicator means.

Brief Description of the Drainas The present invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a snooker type games table having a movable target; Figure 2 is a cross section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a snooker type games table having a target movable between six set positions; Figure 4 is a plan view of an illuminated position indicator device; Figure 5 is a cross section of an illuminated position indicator device; Figure 6 is a plan view of a portion of a snooker type games table having a movable target and a position indicator device, and Figure 7 is a cross section of a portion of a games table having a movable target and a position indicator device.

Description of the preferred embodiments As shown in Figure 1, a snooker type games table 10 has a playing surface 12 on which a cue ball 14 and an object ball 16 are located on respective spots. The distance between the spots being approximately 33". The games table 10 has a movable target 18 located about its periphery. The periphery of the games table has two divergent elongate sides and an end arcuate section connecting the sides. The arcuate section is substantially circular and passes through approximately 200 degrees.

The movable target 18 has two circular barrier members 22,24 having a connecting member 26 located therebetween. The barrier members 22,24 are able to rotate with respect to the connecting member 26. Each barrier member 22,24 has a resilient member located about its periphery. This resilient material provides barriers similar to those provided by the jaws of a pocket in a snooker type table.

The movable target 18 is mounted on an arm 28. A section of the arm 28 comprises a spring metal material which forces the barrier members 22,24 on to a track 20 located on the inner periphery of the arcuate portion of the games table 10. As the target 18 moves about the periphery of the games table the barriers 22,24 rotate as a result of the contact with the track 20.

The games table 10 has a channel 30 located about the arcuate section of the periphery of the games table 10.

This channel 30 is inclined such that a ball located in the channel 30 will roll in to one of the side channels 32. The side channels are not inclined. The channels 30, 32 are located below the playing surface 12 of the games table 10.

The arm 28 on which the movable target 18 is located is secured underneath the surface of the games table, as shown in Figure 2. The arm 28 is connected to the games table 10 by a pivot pin 38 extending through a hollow tube 36 of the arm 28. As shown in Figure 2, the pivot means is located directly beneath the object ball 16.

As shown in Figure 3, handles 34 are provided to cause the movable target 18 to move about the periphery of the games table 10. The handles 34 are connected to a gear wheel located underneath the games table 10. Rotation of the handles 34 causes rotation of the gear wheel. The arm 28 on which the movable target is located is also attached to the gear wheel by a pin on the gearwheel extending with an opening in the arm. Therefore, rotation of the handles 34, causes the movable target 18 to move about the periphery of the games table 10. The gear wheel is pivotally connected to the games table directly underneath the object ball 16.

As shown in Figure 3, six target position indicators 40,42,44,46,48,50 are located about the periphery of the games table. These indicators show different positions in which the target can be aligned. Indicator 40 positions target 18 in an aligned configuration with respect to the cue ball and the object ball. Indicator 42 is positioned 15 degrees off the aligned position. Indicators 44,46, 48,50 are positioned at 30 degrees increments from either indicator 40 or 42.

This table can be used in a novel game in order for a snooker type game to be played in a confined space. The cue ball 14 is positioned on a cue ball spot and an object ball 16 is positioned on an object ball spot. The game follows the rules of snooker in that a red must initially be potted followed by a colour until 15 reds have been successfully potted in which case the colours are potted in snooker order. In order to decide which position the movable target is placed, a die is first rolled. The die is numbered 1 to 6 with the numbers corresponding to the six different positions for the target. A second die may also be rolled for the colour to be chosen randomly. This die has six sides corresponding to the colours yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black. A scoreboard having 15 holes in to which pegs can be inserted is used to keep a record of how many reds have been pocketed so that the pocketing of the colours can commence at the correct stage.

Alternatively, the games table 10 with movable target 18 can be used to practice potting the object ball 16. The movable target 18 enables a player to practice potting an object ball 16 in any possible angle. Since the target is movable and the cue ball 14 is always positioned at a specific point, the games table enables a player to practice in a confined space. The balls used and the target may all be the same size as that used on a full size snooker table.

As shown in Figure 4, a position indicator device 50 may be located adjacent an object ball 16 in order for the indicator 50 to define the position that the cue ball must be in at the point of contact with the object ball in order for the object ball 16 to travel in a specific direction. The indicator device is an illuminated indicator which is projected on to the playing surface 12. The illuminated indicator is substantially the same size as the cross section of a cue ball. The indicator also has an inner dark ring 52 in order to provide a more accurate indicator.

As shown in Figure 5, the indicator has a light source or bulb 62 located in a housing 64 which are mounted on a gear wheel 66 underneath the table. The gear wheel is pivotally connected to the table by pivot means 68. The gear wheel is arranged to rotate about the spot on which the object ball is placed. The second support layer 54 of the table has a cut away portion 60, as shown in Figure 4. The cut away portion 60 enables the light from the light source 62 to shine through the first support layer 56 of the table and on to the surface layer 58 of the table. The second support layer 54 is made from wood and supports the first support layer 56. The first support layer 56 is made from perspex which is approximately 3 mm thick. The surface layer 58 is also the playing surface and comprises a textile which is preferably 100% polyester.

The first support layer 56 has a small indentation 70 which provides a recess for locating the object ball 16 onto its spot. This recess, therefore, ensures that the object ball is accurately positioned and an error in the position of the indicator relative to the object ball should not arise due to the object ball 16 not being correctly placed on its spot. The light source 62 illuminates an image 72. The image 72 is a circular transparent member which has an opaque ring located towards its centre. This image 72 when projected onto the playing surface 58 produces an indicator 50 as shown in Figure 4.

Alternatively, the position indicator is a pointer 74, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The pointer 74 is positioned above the playing surface 12 and indicates the position that the cue ball should be in at the point of impact with the object ball 16. The pointer 74 is a hemisphere which has a central downwardly projecting point 76. The hemisphere may be the same size as a snooker ball. The downwardly projecting point 76 is spaced from the table by a distance slightly greater than the diameter of a snooker ball so that the cue ball can pass directly underneath the pointer 74. The pointer 74 is mounted on an arm 78 which is connected to the underneath of the table and is supported on rotating means so that the pointer can rotate about the object ball 16 in order to indicate different angle shots.

As shown in Figure 6 and 7, the pointer is mounted on a movable target 18. The movable target is connected to the underneath of the table and is mounted on rotating means. The movable target and pointer can both be rotated about the object ball 16. The target 18 and pointer 74 are arranged such that when rotated the pointer always identifies the correct impact position of the cue ball with respect to the position of the movable target 18.

This arrangement is also achieved by using the illuminated indicator device 50 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 rather than the pointer 74. Figure 6 shows the position of the indicator with the movable target in an aligned position, with the target rotated through 55 degrees, and with the target rotated through 90 degrees. Although the starting position of the cue ball does not affect the impact position shown by the position indicator device, the cue ball is positioned on a spot prior to taking the shot.

The player aims the cue ball at the object ball in order for the cue ball to be in the position indicated by the indicator device at the point of impact. The indicator device thereby provides a visual indication of where to aim the cue ball. This indication can be provided by either an illuminated area or by a pointer.

The illuminated indicator device 50 can be turned on or off by means of a switch (not shown). The switch may be a pressure sensitive switch that detects pressure on the games table. Therefore, the switch and the illuminated indicator device may be operated by a player forming a bridge on the surface. This arrangement may be switched on or off. For example, the arrangement may be switched on for a player who is learning and switched off for a more experienced player in order to even the game.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A ball game incorporating a position indicator means arranged, in use, to define the position that a first ball must strike a second ball in order for at least one of the balls to move in a specific direction.
2. A ball game according to claim 1, wherein the ball game is a snooker type ball game.
3. A ball game according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first ball is a cue ball.
4. A ball game according to any preceding claim, wherein the second ball is an object ball.
5. A ball game according to any preceding claim wherein the position indicator means defines the position that a first ball must strike a second ball in order for the second ball to move in a specific direction.
6. A ball game according to claim 5, wherein the direction is towards a target.
7. A ball game according to claim 6, wherein the direction is towards a pocket.
8. A ball game according to any preceding claim, wherein the position indicator means is connected to movable means.
9. A ball game according to claim 8, wherein the indicator means is connected to rotating means.
10. A ball game according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the position indicator means can be moved about the second ball.
11. A ball game according to any preceding claim, wherein the position indicator means provides an illuminated indicator.
12. A ball game according to claim 11, wherein the illuminated indicator is projected onto the surface of the games table.
13. A ball game according to claim 12, wherein the illuminated indicator is projected onto the underneath of the surface of the games table.
14. A ball game according to any preceding claim, wherein the position indicator means comprises a pointer.
15. A ball game according to claim 14, wherein the pointer comprises a solid half-spherical indicator.
16. A ball game according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the pointer further comprises a central pointing projection.
17. A ball game substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in any of the accompanying drawings.
18. A method of operating ball game apparatus, wherein the apparatus is in accordance with claim 1.
19. A method of operating ball game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A ball game incorporating a games table and a target for an object ball, the target being movable about at least a part of the periphery of the games table between at least a first position and a second position.
21. A ball game according to claim 20, wherein the games table is a snooker type games table.
22. A games table according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein the target is located adjacent to the periphery of the playing surface of the table.
23. A ball game according to any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the target is a snooker pocket type target.
24. A ball game according to claim 23, wherein the target comprises two barrier members defining a target barrier therebetween.
25. A ball game according to claim 24, wherein the distance between the two barrier members is adjustable.
26. A ball game according to any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the target is connected to moving means.
27. A ball game according to any of claims 20 to 26 wherein a portion of the periphery of the games table is arcuate.
28. A ball game according to claim 27, wherein the target is movable along at least a portion of the arcuate section of the periphery of the games table.
29. A ball game according to claim 28, wherein indicators are located about the arcuate portion of the periphery of the games table in order to identify set locations for the target.
30. A ball game according to any of claims 20 to 29, wherein the games table comprises at least two targets.
31. A ball game according to any of claims 20 to 30, wherein the ball game incorporates a position indicator means according to claim 1.
32. A method of operating games table apparatus, wherein the ball game is in accordance with claim 20.