Games using tangible projectile – Billiards or pool – Practice device or device to aid in aiming cue or cue ball...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2002-04-02
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Billiards or pool
Practice device or device to aid in aiming cue or cue ball...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06364783
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to new and novel improvements in the field of sports training equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to training and practice equipment and methods for improving aiming and shooting skills and may be used to determine cueing proficiencies, and while being particularly applicable to the game of pocket billiards, the teachings of the present invention may also be useful in other games requiring accuracy in cueing, such as cushioned billiards.
Standard pocket billiard games are normally played using fifteen (15) consecutively numbered balls and a cueball. At the start of a game, the numbered balls are typically placed in a triangular shaped rack so the numbered balls are positioned in an abutting relationship into a triangular configuration. When retained by the rack, the triangular positioned group of numbers balls are positioned with the leading numbered ball at one of the triangular tips positioned over a marked spot located on one end portion of the billiard table and the rack is removed.
A cueball is then positioned at the opposite end portion of the billiard table at any desired location beyond a second marked spot located at that opposite end portion of the billiard table. The cueball is propelled by a cue in a conventional and well known manner from this opposite end portion of the billiard table to strike the triangular group of numbered balls and move them to various locations, normally somewhat randomly spaced apart around the billiard table. At this point, the game progresses along varied procedures, most, if not all of which, include an object ball being struck by a cueball which is propelled toward the object ball by the force of a cue stick. The goal of the game is generally to sink the object ball into a pocket on the billiard table without sinking the cueball in any pocket on the billiard table.
One of the most misunderstood and difficult aspects of the game of pool is to discern the geometric linear relationship between the cueball and the object ball. It is well know that an object ball will travel along a straight line originating at the point where the cueball contacts the object ball and extending through the center of the object ball. There is also a relationship of physics to the geometry of the game of pool. Accordingly, the game of pool is a game of both physics and geometry. Since the object ball travels in a straight line, players of pockets billiards typically picture an imaginary line from the center of a pocket on the billiard table through the center of the object ball. The termination of this imaginary line establishes a point where the cueball should contact the object ball to propel the object ball into the pocket on the billiard table. This is commonly referred to as the “contact point.” It makes no difference where the balls are located on the billiard table, as long as the cueball makes good contact at the “contact point” on the object ball, the object ball will travel along the imaginary line. The cueball, however, in reaching the “contact point” on the object ball does not necessarily travel in a straight line, nor does it have to roll naturally. The cueball may be considered to be rolling naturally when it travels the length of its circumference each revolution of the cueball. The physics of may be applied to the cueball as a result of a given stroke and tip placement with the cue stick. The physics of spin complicates the game of pool and contributes to the complexity of predicting and understanding the effects on the cueball of any given shot.
Aiming the cueball so it strikes the termination point of the imaginary line, which is the contact point of the imaginary line that bisects the object ball and the pocket of choice, is difficult because the shooter cannot easily discern the point of contact on the object ball. It is also difficult for the shooter to discern the point on the cueball commonly referred to as the “aiming point,” which should normally be used for both aligning the aim and impacting the contact point, when the shooter is positioned behind the cueball. The “aiming point” located on the front, or the side furthest from the shooter, of the cueball is normally blocked from the shooter's view by the opaqueness of the cueball. The “contact point” of the object ball is also visually difficult to determine because, in part, the depth perception of the roundness of the circumference of the object ball is difficult to determine, and also, in part, because the point on the circumference where the “contact point” of the object ball is in no distinct way indicated, and is difficult to precisely determine. The “contact point” of the object ball can be understood to always be located at a specific point on the particular object ball circumference, which is half the height of the ball up from the billiard table and directly opposite the pocket of choice on the billiard table.
As a result of these difficulties, billiard players have developed various methods of sighting the correct “aiming point” on the cueball and the correct “contact point” on the object ball. One common method of sighting is the method commonly referred to as the “ghost ball” method. This method of sighting the correct “contact point” on the object ball is shown schematically in FIG.
1
. Imaginary ball
10
can be used to determine the proper cueball
12
line of aim
14
. Imaginary ball
10
is positioned in contact with object ball
16
such that their centers are aligned with intended path
18
of object ball
16
. Cueball
12
is then propelled by cue
20
at the center of imaginary ball
10
, replacing its position, and striking object ball
16
at “contact point”
22
to propel object ball
16
along intended path
18
.
In playing the game of billiards, it is beneficial to understand the actions of the cueball when it is stroked, and the reactions of the cueball and the object ball when impacted due to the calculated collision of a particular shot. As this relates to the complex interaction between the geometry and physics of the game, visual feedback from the balls is particularly important in training a player about the result to expect of any particular shot. The normal markings present on billiard balls, and especially the cueball being entirely white, make it difficult for many players to perceive the actions of the balls, such as spin, or to locate the proper “aiming point” on the cueball, or perceive the horizontal roundness and “contact point” of the object ball.
The foregoing matters relating to the aiming, contacting, perceiving of the roundness and interactions of the cueball and the object ball make it difficult for players of all skill levels to master the game of pool because of the difficulty in determining either the geometric positions of the “aiming point” of the cueball and the “contact point” of the object ball or the related effects of physics on the stroke of the cueball and the consequences of impact with the object ball. A practice system which would provide visual and direct reference of the “aiming point” of the cueball, the “contact point” of the object ball, horizontal roundness of the object ball and the effects of each particular shot would be beneficial to player of all skill levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,305 to Nicholson, issued Nov. 23, 1976, for a “Pocket Billiard Training Ball and Method of Teaching Sighting When Playing Pocket Billiard” discloses a training object ball which is segmented into twelve (12) legended segments. The ball has no horizontal band perpendicular to the segment boundaries for situating it parallel to the playing surface of the table. There is not a singular point on its surface to indicate a specific point of contact from the cueball and it is not a cueball.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,283 to Simpson, et al., issued Feb. 10, 1998, for a “Practice Ball System for Training in the Playing of Pool and Pocket Billiard” discloses a practice ball system including an opaque cueball with a single band circumscribed o
Kellogg Dana M.
Kellogg, Jr. Jack V.
Bommarito Alexander B.
Chambers M.
Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
Sewell Paul T.
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