Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known to the teacher, player and student of billiards and pool angular shots, i.e., where the cue ball and the object ball are not on a line with the desired pocket, represent a substantial portion of the shots taken during any game.
Devices to assist players in properly aiming the cue ball have been available, however, they usually involve bulky mechanical devices, which aside from their bulkiness, tend to alter the pool table environment to such an extent that it is difficult to utilize any teaching acquired with such a device on an ordinary table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a pool and billiard table cover, said cover provided with a plurality of rings and spots, as best seen in the drawings, which will assist a student in developing a proper aiming technique.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which relates to the ordinary pool and billiard table environment.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is simply and economically manufactured.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is readily used for teaching proper aiming techniques.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device which may be used for various new games of pool.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a device which is useful to young amateurs, or children, to practice the arts covered.
These together with other objects and advantages, which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details and construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a pool table provided with a cover constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the pool table shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate practical embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1, designates in perspective the pool table cover, 1, on pool table, 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, pool table cover, 1, which comprises a conventional cover of appropriate material, provided with rings, 9, and spots, 10, is installed on pool table, 2, which is typically provided with bumpers, 3, base, 6, and pockets, 8. Bumpers, 3, are typically constructed of an elastic material, 4, covered with bumper cover, 5.
In FIG. 2, the pool table, 2, is shown in plan view and illustrates the method of using pool table cover, 1, in aiming cue ball, 7, so that it is in the proper position, 7', when it strikes object ball, 11, to drive object ball, 11, into pocket, 8.
In ordinary situations the diameter of cue ball, 7, is the same as that of object ball, 11. In such a case the diameter or ring, 9, is 2 times the diameter of the balls. The diameter of spot, 10, is not critical but should be consistent with the purposes of the device.
It is quite clear that, excluding bank shots, the optimum path of object ball, 11, on its way to pocket, 8, is along path, 12. It is also clear in the layout shown in FIG. 2, that if cue ball, 7, travels along path, 13, and strikes object ball, 11, when cue ball, 7, is at point, 7', where the centers of cue ball, 7, and object ball, 11, lie on path, 12, then object ball, 11, will travel over path, 12, into pocket, 8.
Thus in a situation where object ball, 11, is laying on spot, 10, and cue ball, 7, is laying where shown in FIG. 2, the player or student visualizes point, 14, on ring, 9, said point, 14, being a point of intersection of path, 12, and ring, 9, and then aims cue ball, 7, such that its center will pass over point, 14.
It is clear that rings, 9, and spots, 10, may be placed on cover, 1, using light beams to form the spots and rings such that when the light source is de-energized, the spots and rings disappear. Other permanent, semi-permanent and temporary facilities may be used to form rings, 9, and spots, 10. It is also clear that for some uses, spots, 10, are not necessary to utilize the invention contemplated herein.