05/095258

01/16/1973

12/04/1970

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473/2

A63D15/00; A63D15/00

273/2,19 35/29R

3220122	Pocket billiard training device	November 1965	Miller
3410555	Cue ball aiming device	November 1968	Murch
3411779	Aiming point indicator for billiards	November 1968	McGowan

Oechsle, Anton O.

Stouffer R. T.

What is claimed is

1. An apparatus for use in playing pool and enchancing a learner's ability to play pool on a table having side and end rails bordering a playing field, the usual side and corner pockets, one or more standard object balls, and a regulation cue ball on the playing field, said apparatus including a spherical imitation cue ball and a spherical imitation playing ball of substantially the same size and shape as the regulation cue ball and a standard object ball respectively means for rigidly securing a peripheral portion of the spherical limitation cue ball to a peripheral portion of the spherical imitation playing ball, and a radially extending pointer secured to the imitation playing ball at a spot on the periphery diametrically opposite to that at which the rigid securing means on the imitation playing ball is connected to the imitation cue ball, said apparatus being spaced from the object ball and being movable to a position in which the pointer on the imitation playing ball is directed to a spot on the object ball that is to be struck by the regulation cue ball to knock the object ball into a desired pocket.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the spherical imitation cue ball is diametrically secured to and engages the spherical imitation playing ball so as to provide a mental picture in the mind of the player which indicates the particular spot on the object ball which is to be struck by the regulation cue ball to knock the object ball into a particular pocket.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said pointer is secured to said spherical imitation ball at such a position that it extends approximately one-half of the height of the spherical imitation playing ball above the playing field of said table.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a foundation means upon which the spherical imitation playing ball and the spherical imitation cue ball rest, said foundation means having a groove therein of such width and depth that it snugly receives the lower portions of the spherical imitation cue ball and the spherical imitation playing ball to prevent the imitation cue ball and the imitation playing ball from rolling off of the foundation means.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the apparatus includes a foundation means and may be supported on the playing field in such a position that the pointer is spaced from and is directed to the spot on the object ball that must be struck by the regulation cue ball to knock the object ball into a desired pocket on the table.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the apparatus is of such size that it may be placed on one of the rails of the table with its pointer directed to the spot on the object ball that is to be struck by the regulation cue ball to knock the object ball in a desired pocket of the table.

The present invention relates to movable indicating apparatus for use in playing pool that may be positioned on the rail of a pool table or on the cotton or woolen cloth that covers the playing field of the table to indicate the line over which a cue ball must be shot to cause it to hit an object ball at such a point that the object ball will pass into a designated pocket.

Pool is a fascinating game. Considerable practice, however, is required to attain even a modicum of proficiency therein. Many people who start playing the game therefore give up quikly and this is particularly true of women who become discouraged and forsake the exercise, the enjoyment, and companionship that even only amount quickly moderate mount of proficiency in the game affords.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an indicator that may be positioned on the railing or on the cotton or woolen cloth covering of the playing field of a pool table to indicate the particular spot on an object ball that must be struck by the cue ball to cause the object ball to pass into a particular pocket.

Another object of my invention is to provide a movable indicating apparatus that may be positioned upon one of the rails of the table or which may be placed upon the woolen or cotton cloth on the playing field in such a position that a pointer extending therefrom indicates to the player the line over which the cue ball must be driven to hit the object ball at such a spot thereon that it will pass into a designated pocket.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pool table showing various positions that my improved indicator may be placed thereon; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of a preferred form of my indicator.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing, the indicator includes a supporting member to which a pointer 1 is affixed at a short distance above the table and while the object to which the pointer is secured may be of any suitable material, for providing an imaginative effect, I preferably utilize an imitation ball 2 which is colored or has a colored band 3 thereon, and the pointer fixed diametrically to the imitation ball with one-half of the ball being below and one-half being above the pointer. When it is desired to apply the indicating apparatus to the rail of a pool table, such as at the point designated at A, an imaginary extension of the pointer as indicated by a dotted line shows where an object ball as indicated by the letter B must be hit by the cue ball C to cause the object ball to pass into the corner pocket designated by the letter D. A portion of the cue is shown resting on the table as indicated by the letter E.

To provide stability to the indicating apparatus taken as a whole, an imitation cue ball 4 is preferably provided that is fixed diametrically to the imitation playing ball 3 by suitable means, such as a threaded insert 5 which is shown in dotted lines and part of which is threaded into the imitation cue ball 4 and part of which is threaded diametrically into the imitation ball 2. The balls forming part of the indicator may be formed of an inexpensive material, such as painted or varnished wood and the screw which is threaded diametrically into each of the balls is capable of maintaining them in a fixed position relative to each other. As shown the imitation balls are approximately of the same size as the playing balls; namely two and one-fourth inches in diameter. This, however, is not absolutely necessary. The imitation ball 2 must of course be high enough to support the pointer a short distance above the table.

The pointer supporting ball 2 has a small aperture 6 therein diametrically opposite the screw to receive one end of the pointer 1 which as shown is reduced in size but is large enough to form a press fit within the aperture. In high class pool tables the cue and object balls are formed of a somewhat costly material, such as ivory or a phenolic condensation products whereas the balls utilized as part of my indicating apparatus may be formed of a relatively inexpensive material, such as painted or varnished wood which enables a wooden screw part to be utilized in fastening the imitation cue ball to the supporting ball for the pointer.

To enable my improved indicating apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 to be firmly held upon a portion of the rail, the imitation cue ball 4 and the ball 2 for supporting the pointer may be positioned on a foundation piece 7 as shown in FIG. 2 to which the imitation cue ball and the imitation supporting ball may be secured by any suitable means such as an adhesive or as shown by a groove 8 which may be formed on the foundation piece to keep the balls from rolling off.

It will of course be understood that the indicating apparatus may be moved to a different position on the rail of the table as indicated by the letter F with its pointer arranged in alignment with an object ball designated by the letter G. In such case the cue ball suggests and the indicator of my improved device points to the spot on the object ball G which it is necessary for the standard cue ball C to strike to cause the object ball G to be knocked into the side pocket H. In such case the cue is moved to approximately the dotted line position E".

It is not necessary, however, that the indicating apparatus shall be applied to the rail. This is true because the cotten or woolen cloth that covers the playing field has considerable friction and a wood foundation block, such as shown in FIG. 2 may be set on the cloth with its indicator 1 pointing to an object ball I to indicate the point on the object ball that must be struck by the cue ball to cause it to be knocked into the corner pocket J. In such case the cue may be moved to the dotted line position E' shown in FIG. 1. It will of course be understood that the imitation cue ball which is secured diametrially to the imitation supporting ball will also suggest by imaginery effect the particular spot on the object ball that is to be struck by the cue ball to force it into the corner pocket J.

My improved apparatus is simple in form and may be provided at low cost. It also is instrumental in improving the game of those that use it and particularly women who are just beginning to play so that the enjoyment of an improved game may be quickly attained. It is to be understood, however, that my improved apparatus is principally for amateurs in the game because after skill is acquired by the players, its use is no longer necessary.