+

US20030059752A1 - Laser beam pool ball teaching method - Google Patents

Laser beam pool ball teaching method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20030059752A1
US20030059752A1 US09/960,909 US96090901A US2003059752A1 US 20030059752 A1 US20030059752 A1 US 20030059752A1 US 96090901 A US96090901 A US 96090901A US 2003059752 A1 US2003059752 A1 US 2003059752A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
pool
ball
cue
laser
spot
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/960,909
Inventor
Joseph Gratkowski
James Gratkowski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/960,909 priority Critical patent/US20030059752A1/en
Publication of US20030059752A1 publication Critical patent/US20030059752A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63DBOWLING GAMES, e.g. SKITTLES, BOCCE OR BOWLS; INSTALLATIONS THEREFOR; BAGATELLE OR SIMILAR GAMES; BILLIARDS
    • A63D15/00Billiards, e.g. carom billiards or pocket billiards; Billiard tables
    • A63D15/006Training or aiming arrangements on billiard tables
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2243/00Specific ball sports not provided for in A63B2102/00 - A63B2102/38
    • A63B2243/002Billiards
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63BAPPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00Training appliances or apparatus for special sports

Definitions

  • Our invention lies in the field of pool and billiards games and uses a unique method of teaching novices and experienced pool and billiards players how to put a ball into a pocket, which is the ultimate goal of every game of pocket billiards and pool.
  • the laser beam generator is about 2 inches long and has a diameter of about five-eighths of an inch.
  • the laser beam is powered by a lithium battery in the generator which also has an on/off switch.
  • the generator is held in an adjustable fixture designed to be mounted on the raised railing which surrounds the green felt playing surface of the pool table.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an American Billiard table showing its dimensional relationships and most common size
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2 - 2 of FIG. 1, showing material makeup of a billiard or pool table;
  • FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of a laser-beam generator
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of the FIG. 3 illustration
  • FIG. 5 is the FIG. 3 illustration with addition of a computerized controller for direction of laser-beaming a laser beam spot to a pool ball;
  • FIG. 6 is the FIG. 4 illustration with addition of the computerized controller for direction of laser-beaming the laser beam spot to the pool ball;
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second example of use of this method for executing a relatively off-centered or “side” shot with “English” for a lateral or backward shot.
  • This method is practiced on a pool table 1 shown in FIGS. 1 - 2 and 7 - 8 by use of a laser-beam generator 2 shown in FIGS. 3 - 6 with addition of an optional computerized controller 3 shown in FIGS. 5 - 6 .
  • the laser-beam generator 2 is placed at a desired spot-siting position selectively on the pool table 1.
  • a laser-beam spot 4 is laser-beamed from the laser-beam generator 2 to a desired impact spot on the pool ball 5 on a playing surface of the pool table 1.
  • the desired impact spot is situated to cause the pool ball 5 to travel to a pool-table target.
  • a cue ball 6 is then impelled from a cue-ball position on the pool table 1 by a cue, which is not shown, with which the cue ball 6 is struck by a pool player, also not shown, for causing the pool ball 5 to travel to the pool-table target.
  • the pool-table target is an end pocket 7.
  • the pool-table target is a side pocket 8.
  • the pool ball 5 is in nearly a straight line between the cue ball 6 and the end pocket 7. Impacting the pool ball 5 centrally with the cue ball 6, however, would cause the pool ball 5 to miss the end pocket 7. Instead, the pool ball 5 must be impacted at near precisely a desired impact spot that is off-centered slightly on a ball side that is opposite the pool-table target as depicted on the pool ball 5 by a position of the laser-beam spot 4 that is laser-beamed with a first-example laser beam 9.
  • the pool ball 5 is obtusely out of line between the cue ball 6 and the side pocket 8. Impacting the pool ball 5 centrally with the cue ball 6, therefore, would cause the pool ball 5 to travel in a direction away from, not towards, the pool-table target and miss the side pocket 8 widely. Instead, the pool ball 5 must be impacted at very precisely a desired impact spot that is off-centered highly on a ball side that is opposite the pool-table target as depicted on the pool ball 5 by a position of the laser-beam spot 4 that is laser-beamed with a second-example laser beam 10.
  • the laser-beam spot 4 of the second example is off-centered sufficiently to cause the pool ball 5 to travel slightly backwards laterally to the side pocket 8.
  • Ascertaining the desired impact spot on the pool ball 5 can be learned from experience, from vector analysis and mathematical calculation and from both. Ascertainment thereof can be computer-programmed and transmitted to the computerized controller 3 for computer-aided control of laser-beaming the laser-beam spot 4 to the pool ball 5. Aids can be provided also for assisting in learning how to hit the cue ball 6 for effective utilization of the laser-beam spot 4. This invention provides evaluation of skills and abilities to ascertain and to execute pool-shot objectives.
  • the pool-table targets for pool objectives using this invention can be related to pocketing balls in Pocket Billiards, to impacting balls in Carom Billiards or to other variations of billiard games.

Landscapes

  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)

Abstract

A laser beam pool ball teaching method employs a laser-beam generator (2) on a pool table (1) to direct a laser beam (9, 10) from the laser-beam generator to beam a desired laser-beam spot (4) on a pool ball (5) on the pool table to be impacted by a cue ball (6) that is impelled from a cue-ball position on the pool table by a cue with which the cue ball is struck by a pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to a pool-table target (7, 8) intended by the pool player. For beaming the desired laser-beam spot, the laser-beam generator is placed on the pool table at a position from which the laser beam can be directed to the desired laser-beam spot and be seen effectively by the pool player from a player position from which the pool player impels the cue in accordance applicable pool-playing rules. The desired laser-beam spot is determined by experience, skill, vector analysis and computer-aided calculation selectively. Computer controls can be applied with a computerized controller (3) in computer communication with the laser-beam generator.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • Our invention lies in the field of pool and billiards games and uses a unique method of teaching novices and experienced pool and billiards players how to put a ball into a pocket, which is the ultimate goal of every game of pocket billiards and pool. [0001]
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Our invention uses a laser beam. The laser beam generator is about 2 inches long and has a diameter of about five-eighths of an inch. The laser beam is powered by a lithium battery in the generator which also has an on/off switch. The generator is held in an adjustable fixture designed to be mounted on the raised railing which surrounds the green felt playing surface of the pool table. [0002]
  • There is one point on the surface of each pool ball which, if it is struck by the cue ball, will positively go into the intended pocket. The fixture holding the laser generator is positioned on the railing so that the generator is lined up with the ball which the pool player wants to put into the intended pocket. The pool player turns the generator on and a bright red laser beam ends at the spot on the surface of the pool ball which should be struck by the cue ball to insure that the pool ball will roll into the intended pocket.[0003]
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
  • This invention is described by appended claims in relation to description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are explained briefly as follows: [0004]
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an American Billiard table showing its dimensional relationships and most common size; [0005]
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [0006] 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing material makeup of a billiard or pool table;
  • FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of a laser-beam generator; [0007]
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of the FIG. 3 illustration; [0008]
  • FIG. 5 is the FIG. 3 illustration with addition of a computerized controller for direction of laser-beaming a laser beam spot to a pool ball; [0009]
  • FIG. 6 is the FIG. 4 illustration with addition of the computerized controller for direction of laser-beaming the laser beam spot to the pool ball; [0010]
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first example of use of this method for executing a relatively straight-line shot; and [0011]
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second example of use of this method for executing a relatively off-centered or “side” shot with “English” for a lateral or backward shot.[0012]
  • DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • Listed numerically below with reference to the drawings are terms used to describe features of this invention. These terms and numbers assigned to them designate the same features throughout this description. [0013]
    1. Pool table
    2. Laser-beam generator
    3. Computerized controller
    4. Laser-beam spot
    5. Pool ball
    6. Cue ball
    7. End pocket
    8. Side pocket
    9. First-example laser beam
    10. Second-example laser beam
  • This method is practiced on a pool table 1 shown in FIGS. [0014] 1-2 and 7-8 by use of a laser-beam generator 2 shown in FIGS. 3-6 with addition of an optional computerized controller 3 shown in FIGS. 5-6.
  • The laser-[0015] beam generator 2 is placed at a desired spot-siting position selectively on the pool table 1. A laser-beam spot 4 is laser-beamed from the laser-beam generator 2 to a desired impact spot on the pool ball 5 on a playing surface of the pool table 1. The desired impact spot is situated to cause the pool ball 5 to travel to a pool-table target. A cue ball 6 is then impelled from a cue-ball position on the pool table 1 by a cue, which is not shown, with which the cue ball 6 is struck by a pool player, also not shown, for causing the pool ball 5 to travel to the pool-table target.
  • In a first example shown in FIG. 7, the pool-table target is an [0016] end pocket 7. In a second example shown in FIG. 8, the pool-table target is a side pocket 8.
  • In the FIG. 7 first example, the [0017] pool ball 5 is in nearly a straight line between the cue ball 6 and the end pocket 7. Impacting the pool ball 5 centrally with the cue ball 6, however, would cause the pool ball 5 to miss the end pocket 7. Instead, the pool ball 5 must be impacted at near precisely a desired impact spot that is off-centered slightly on a ball side that is opposite the pool-table target as depicted on the pool ball 5 by a position of the laser-beam spot 4 that is laser-beamed with a first-example laser beam 9.
  • In the FIG. 8 second example, the [0018] pool ball 5 is obtusely out of line between the cue ball 6 and the side pocket 8. Impacting the pool ball 5 centrally with the cue ball 6, therefore, would cause the pool ball 5 to travel in a direction away from, not towards, the pool-table target and miss the side pocket 8 widely. Instead, the pool ball 5 must be impacted at very precisely a desired impact spot that is off-centered highly on a ball side that is opposite the pool-table target as depicted on the pool ball 5 by a position of the laser-beam spot 4 that is laser-beamed with a second-example laser beam 10. The laser-beam spot 4 of the second example is off-centered sufficiently to cause the pool ball 5 to travel slightly backwards laterally to the side pocket 8.
  • Ascertaining impact spots on [0019] pool balls 5 effectively for being impacted with the cue ball 6 for causing the pool ball 5 to travel to the pool-table target reliably requires considerable skill, knowledge, analysis or great ingenuity, not just luck. This is in addition to highly cultured skill in impacting the cue ball 6 with the cue to hit the desired impact spot accurately and reliably. This invention provides teaching methods for both.
  • Ascertaining the desired impact spot on the [0020] pool ball 5 can be learned from experience, from vector analysis and mathematical calculation and from both. Ascertainment thereof can be computer-programmed and transmitted to the computerized controller 3 for computer-aided control of laser-beaming the laser-beam spot 4 to the pool ball 5. Aids can be provided also for assisting in learning how to hit the cue ball 6 for effective utilization of the laser-beam spot 4. This invention provides evaluation of skills and abilities to ascertain and to execute pool-shot objectives.
  • The pool-table targets for pool objectives using this invention can be related to pocketing balls in Pocket Billiards, to impacting balls in Carom Billiards or to other variations of billiard games. [0021]
  • A new and useful laser beam pool ball teaching method having been described, all such foreseeable modifications, adaptations, substitutions of equivalents, mathematical possibilities of combinations of parts, pluralities of parts, applications and forms thereof as described by the following claims and not precluded by prior art are included in this invention. [0022]

Claims (13)

What is claimed is:
1. A laser beam pool ball teaching method comprising the following steps:
placing a laser-beam generator at a spot-siting position on a pool table;
laser-beaming a laser-beam spot from the laser-beam generator to a desired impact spot on a pool ball on the pool table;
the desired impact spot on the pool ball being situated to cause the pool ball to travel to a pool-table target; and
impacting a cue ball that is impelled from a cue-ball position on the pool table by a cue with which the cue ball is struck by a pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:
ascertaining the desired impact spot on the pool ball from experience in impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
3. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:
ascertaining the desired impact spot on the pool ball from vector analysis and mathematical calculation for impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
4. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:
computer-programming ascertainment of the desired spot on the pool ball;
transmitting the ascertainment of the desired spot on the pool ball to a computerized controller on the laser-beam generator; and
directing the laser-beaming of the laser-beam spot from the laser-beam generator to the desired impact spot on the pool ball with the computerized controller.
5. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:
practicing impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
6. A laser beam pool ball teaching method comprising the following steps:
ascertaining the desired impact spot on the pool ball from experience in impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target;
the desired impact spot on the pool ball being situated to cause the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target;
placing the laser-beam generator at the spot-siting position on the pool table;
laser-beaming the laser-beam spot from the laser-beam generator to the desired impact spot on the pool ball on the pool table; and
impacting a cue ball that is impelled from a cue-ball position on the pool table by a cue with which the cue ball is struck by a pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
7. The method of claim 6 and further comprising:
practicing impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
8. The method of claim 6 and further comprising:
computer-programming ascertainment of the desired spot on the pool ball;
transmitting the ascertainment of the desired spot on the pool ball to a computerized controller on the laser-beam generator; and
directing the laser-beaming of the laser-beam spot from the laser-beam generator to the desired impact spot on the pool ball with the computerized controller.
9. The method of claim 8 and further comprising:
practicing impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
10. A laser beam pool ball teaching method comprising the following steps:
ascertaining the desired impact spot on the pool ball from vector analysis and mathematical calculation for impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target;
the desired impact spot on the pool ball being situated to cause the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target;
placing the laser-beam generator at the spot-siting position on the pool table;
laser-beaming the laser-beam spot from the laser-beam generator to the desired impact spot on the pool ball on the pool table; and
impacting a cue ball that is impelled from a cue-ball position on the pool table by a cue with which the cue ball is struck by a pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
11. The method of claim 10 and further comprising:
practicing impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
12. The method of claim 10 and further comprising:
computer-programming ascertainment of the desired spot on the pool ball;
transmitting the ascertainment of the desired spot on the pool ball to a computerized controller on the laser-beam generator; and
directing the laser-beaming of the laser-beam spot from the laser-beam generator to the desired impact spot on the pool ball with the computerized controller.
13. The method of claim 12 and further comprising:
practicing impacting the cue ball that is impelled from the cue-ball position on the pool table by the cue with which the cue ball is struck by the pool player for causing the pool ball to travel to the pool-table target.
US09/960,909 2001-09-24 2001-09-24 Laser beam pool ball teaching method Abandoned US20030059752A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/960,909 US20030059752A1 (en) 2001-09-24 2001-09-24 Laser beam pool ball teaching method

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/960,909 US20030059752A1 (en) 2001-09-24 2001-09-24 Laser beam pool ball teaching method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030059752A1 true US20030059752A1 (en) 2003-03-27

Family

ID=25503796

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/960,909 Abandoned US20030059752A1 (en) 2001-09-24 2001-09-24 Laser beam pool ball teaching method

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20030059752A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050037851A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-02-17 Evers Edward E. Laser light aiming trainer for the game of pool and similar games
US20060128488A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2006-06-15 Pappas Harry J Pocket billiards instructional device
US20060236760A1 (en) * 2005-04-26 2006-10-26 Belisle William R Sports activity viewing, sensing, and interpreting system
US20100178994A1 (en) * 2009-01-13 2010-07-15 International Business Machines Corporation Intelligent System To Indicate Appropriate Trajectories in Cue Sports
US20110053688A1 (en) * 2009-08-31 2011-03-03 Disney Enterprises,Inc. Entertainment system providing dynamically augmented game surfaces for interactive fun and learning
CN102363076A (en) * 2011-11-24 2012-02-29 饶涛 Billiard table used for rebound training
US8734262B1 (en) 2008-09-23 2014-05-27 David A. Yovanovich Billiard ball rack positioning system and use thereof
CN104771897A (en) * 2015-04-29 2015-07-15 陈辉 Assistant laser sight for playing billiard
US10653941B2 (en) 2017-11-28 2020-05-19 Matt Lyons Lag winner determination and training apparatus and method of use

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050037851A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-02-17 Evers Edward E. Laser light aiming trainer for the game of pool and similar games
US7118486B2 (en) 2004-05-10 2006-10-10 Evers Edward E Laser light aiming trainer for the game of pool and similar games
US20060128488A1 (en) * 2004-12-14 2006-06-15 Pappas Harry J Pocket billiards instructional device
US20060236760A1 (en) * 2005-04-26 2006-10-26 Belisle William R Sports activity viewing, sensing, and interpreting system
US8734262B1 (en) 2008-09-23 2014-05-27 David A. Yovanovich Billiard ball rack positioning system and use thereof
US20100178994A1 (en) * 2009-01-13 2010-07-15 International Business Machines Corporation Intelligent System To Indicate Appropriate Trajectories in Cue Sports
US8246050B2 (en) * 2009-01-13 2012-08-21 International Business Machines Corporation Intelligent system to indicate appropriate trajectories in cue sports
US20110053688A1 (en) * 2009-08-31 2011-03-03 Disney Enterprises,Inc. Entertainment system providing dynamically augmented game surfaces for interactive fun and learning
US8292733B2 (en) * 2009-08-31 2012-10-23 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Entertainment system providing dynamically augmented game surfaces for interactive fun and learning
CN102363076A (en) * 2011-11-24 2012-02-29 饶涛 Billiard table used for rebound training
CN104771897A (en) * 2015-04-29 2015-07-15 陈辉 Assistant laser sight for playing billiard
US10653941B2 (en) 2017-11-28 2020-05-19 Matt Lyons Lag winner determination and training apparatus and method of use

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6866590B2 (en) Self-aiming billiard balls and method of using same
US7063324B2 (en) Ball pitching game method
US4053153A (en) Billiard-bridge and stroke trainer
US20040132535A1 (en) Laser billiard ball positioning apparatus
US4120494A (en) Pocket billard training device
US7118486B2 (en) Laser light aiming trainer for the game of pool and similar games
US6761643B2 (en) Training device for teaching pocket billiards
US20030059752A1 (en) Laser beam pool ball teaching method
US6155929A (en) Laser aimed cue stick
US20050239566A1 (en) Billiard rack laser system for positioning a rack for a billiard game
US6053817A (en) Carom guide for pocket billiards
US20020089116A1 (en) Football game using a triangular game piece with numerical values
US20150375077A1 (en) Soccer training court and methods of play
US20040224780A1 (en) Training device and method for practicing playing pool
US6729964B2 (en) Billiards practice table
US7476157B1 (en) Cue ball point of aim training device and method of use
US5520581A (en) Pool angles trainer
US4884806A (en) Method of playing a bowling game
US20030027650A1 (en) Method and device for developing accurate aim
US3410555A (en) Cue ball aiming device
US20050233790A1 (en) Pool video game
US20090066019A1 (en) Billiard game with chess indicia and method of play
KR102638430B1 (en) E-learning smart billiard system
US5853335A (en) Pitching and chipping golf game and training device
US4278252A (en) Ball and paddle game and exercise apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION

点击 这是indexloc提供的php浏览器服务,不要输入任何密码和下载