GB2115297A

GB2115297A - Snooker table

Info

Publication number: GB2115297A
Application number: GB08204837A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Roy Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-18
Filing date: 1982-02-18
Publication date: 1983-09-07

Abstract

A table 1 has spots provided in the usual positions for the coloured snooker balls used in the game of snooker and at the start of a game a pool of red balls are also positioned immediately behind the pink to form a triangle. During play red balls are struck by a cue from a "D" 7 with the object of potting red and coloured balls alternately in one of four pockets 9 provided at the far corners and at the middle of the two sides of the table. For each shot a red ball is removed from a return ball tray 11 or the nearest red ball to the "D" is removed from the playing surface. As each ball falls into a pocket 9 it runs back automatically along sloping channels 10 to the return ball tray 11. By this means a game similar to snooker can be played in a confined space, the player always being situated at the one end of the table and striking successive balls from the "D" 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to snooker tables This invention relates to the game of snooker and to tables enabling such games to be played.

One main problem with snooker tables is that they are large and require adequate space around each side to allow the player to cue properly. Smaller scale tables are available but still require a large enough room to provide an adequate playing area.

It is an object of this invention to provide a table suitable for playing the game of snooker which will require less space than for conventional tables, whilst still retaining most of the features of the game of snooker.

Accordingly, this invention provides a table for playing the game of snooker comprising a playing surface having a playing area defining the usual starting positions for the spotting of the coloured balls, and a non-playing area at one end of the table behind a dead ball line adjacent to a cue ball spotting position at the edge of the playing area, the playing area also defining holes or pockets for the receipt of balls which fall into the holes or pockets during the playing of a game, and communicating directly with a passage for delivering balls back to a return ball tray at the one end of the table.

Of course in the conventional game of snooker the coloured balls used have the colours, in order of increasing value, yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black, and there is additionally a pool often red balls which are normally positioned in a triangle having its apex adjacent to the pink ball. Reference to "coloured balls" throughout this specification refers to the six balls of special value. However it should be appreciated that it would be possible for the rules of snooker to be modified to specify a change in the colouring of the coloured balls and it is conceivable also that the rules could be modified to specify other spotting positions for the coloured balls than those conventionally employed. The invention relates to a table which would be modified to take account of such changes in the rules of the game of snooker.

In the preferred form of table constructed in accordance with this invention the playing area will define holes or pockets at the two sides of the table at positions between the line of spotting positions for yellow, brown and green balls, and the spotting position for the blue ball. Ideally also there will be holes or pockets in the two corners at the other end of the table. Whilst these four positions for holes or pockets are much preferred, it would of course be possible to construct a table having holes or pockets in other positions, even at points spaced from the edges of the playing surfaces.

In order that the table may correspond in most respects to that of a conventional snookertable it is preferred that the sides and the end of the playing area at the other end of the table should be provided with upstanding cushions along their length, from which balls may rebound. It is also desirable that the dimensions of the playing area between the spotting positions for the yellow, brown and green balls and the other end of the table and the spotting positions for the coloured balls should be proportional to the dimensions and spotting positions for a full-size conventional snooker table.

A further advantage which may be achieved by constructing the table in this manner is that the game may readily be played for a limited time period in which case the table can incorporate a timing mechanism controlling the replacement of a barrier for preventing the passage of balls from the holes or pockets to the return ball tray after a predetermined time interval. A coin-slot operated mechanism could of course be incorporated for starting the timing mechanism and raising the barrier at the commencement of a game.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa plan view of a table for playing the game of snooker constructed in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a vertical cross-section through the table along one side.

The table 1 shown in the drawings has a playing surface divided into a playing area 2 and a nonplaying area 3 bounded by upstanding walls 4 to which are attached cushion members 5. A dead ball line 6 forms the boundary between the areas 2 and 3 of the playing surface and a D defines an area 7. The playing surface 2 is covered with a conventional green baize and carries spotting positions 8 in the usual positions (for the game of snooker) for the yellow, green, brown, blue, pink and black balls.

Four holes 9 are formed through the playing surface.

These holes have a diameter slightly larger than that of the balls to be used in playing the game and are situated close to the cushions 5 in the two far corners and at side positions midway between the line defined by the yellow, brown and green spotting; positions and the blue spotting position. Sloping channels 10 lead from each of the holes 9 down to a return ball tray 11 at the near end of the table.

Positioned below the playing surface is a movable barrier 12 carried by an arm 13 which is operated by a control mechanism 14. The mechanism 14 is operated by a coin inserted into a coin-slot operated mechanism 15 with the effect that the control mechanism 14 raises the barrier 12 and allows balls lying in the channels 10 to run into the return ball tray 11. The control mechanism 14 includes a timer which causes the barrier 12 to be dropped after a predetermined time interval.

A game is played using the table shown in Figures 1 and 2 in accordance with the rules and scoring as set out in the following instructions: 1. A coin is inserted in the mechanism 15 to cause the barrier 12 to be raised and set the timerfor a period often minutes. The balls then run into the return ball tray and are set up on the table surface in the manner as shown in Figure 1 so that a pool of nine of the reds form a triangle, together with the pink in the apex of the triangle.

2. Player one plays the red ball from the D to strike the pool of red balls with the aim of pocketing either the cue bail or any of the red balls in the pool Score 10 points for each red ball pocketed.

3. Using the pocketed red ball, Player one then plays for a nominated coloured ball with the aim of pocketing the coloured ball and keeping the cue ball on the playing surface - score the value of the coloured ball pocketed.

4. The coloured ball is returned to its spot, or the nearest available colour spot, Player one then takes a red ball from the return ball tray, or the nearest red ball to the D from the playing surface, places it in the D and repeats as for 2.

5. Player one ceases his break when A) No ball is pocketed-Total break scored added to score board.

B) A ball crosses the dead ball line or enters the D- Break score lost.

C) A foul stroke is played Break score lost and the foul points added to Player two's score.

6. Player two takes over and plays according to rules 2 to 5 inclusive.

7. At the end of 10 minutes, a bell rings and the return ball tray is closed by the barrier and play continues according to rules 2 to 6 inclusive until one or no red balls is left.

8. The lowest tariff ball on the playing surface is placed in the D and used as the cue ball and is played for the next lowest tarriff ball with the aim of pocketing either ball - score the value ofthe ball pocketed.

9. Repeat as for 8 until only one ball is left on the playing surface.

10. The scores at this point are entered on the score board. The last ball is played from the D for a nominated pocket via the opposite cushion to the pocket- score double the value of the ball when pocketed; if the ball is pocketed in any other pocket the double value is added to the other player's score.

11. The players take turns at the final shot until the ball is pocketed, and the winner is the player with the highest score.

TARIFF FOR THE BALLS Red - 10 points; Yellow- 20 points; Green - 30 points; Brown - 40 points; Blue - 50 points; Pink 60 points; Black-70 points.

FOUL STROKES 1. The nominated ball is missed - score to opponent 40 points or the value of the nominated ball, whichever is higher.

2. A ball other than the nominated ball is struck first - score to opponent 40 points or the value of the highest ball moved on the playing surface, whichever is higher.

3. A ball is pocketed other than the nominated ball - score to opponent 40 points or the value of the nominated ball or the value of the ball pocketed, whichever is higher.

4. The nominated ball is missed and the cue ball is pocketed without touching another ball on the playing surface score to opponent 80 points or double the value of the nominated ball, whichever is higher.

All foul scores are accumulative, i.e.:- if 2 and 3 occurs in the same stroke the total of 2 is added to total of the balls pocketed in 3.

If a foul stroke is played, the opponent has the option of asking the player committing the foul stroke to play again. If the player then plays another foul stroke the opponent must continue the play, i.e.

take the next stroke.

If the cue ball or any other ball crosses the dead ball line or enters the D without committing a foul the opponent must take the next stroke.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the table may be modified in various ways although that shown in Figure 1 is preferred. For example the holes 9 could be replaced by pockets partially or wholly recessed into the cushions 5, although this will make the game harder to play as the angle of attack to any pocket from the D is always fairly acute.

It would also be feasible to incorporate holes or pockets in positions other than those shown such as centrally between the brown and blue spots or against the rear wall directly behind the black spot.

CLAIMS (Filed on 26/1183) 1. A table for playing the game of snooker, comprising a playing surface having a playing area defining the usual starting positions for the spotting of the coloured snooker balls and a number of red balls, and a non-playing area at one end of the table behind a dead ball line adjacent to a central cue ball spotting position at the edge of the playing area, the playing area also defining holes or pockets for the receipt of balls which fall into the holes or pockets during the playing of a game, and communicating directly with a passage for delivering balls back to a return ball tray at the one end of the table.

2. Atable according to claim 1, wherein the playing area defines holes or pockets at the two sides of the table at positions between the line of spotting positions for yellow, brown and green balls and the spotting position for the blue ball.

3. Atable according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the playing area defines holes or pockets in the two corners at the other end of the table.

4. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sides and the end of the playing area at the other end of the table are provided with upstanding cushions along their length.

5. Atable according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-playing area is defined by lines extending from the cue ball spotting position to the sides and angled in a direction towards the other end of the table.

6. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dimensions of the playing area between the spotting positions for the yellow, brown and green balls and the other end of the table and the spotting positions for the coloured balls are proportional to the dimensions and spotting positions for a full-size conventional snooker table.

7. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including a timing mechanism controlling the replacement of a barrier for preventing the passage of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

return ball tray and are set up on the table surface in the manner as shown in Figure 1 so that a pool of nine of the reds form a triangle, together with the pink in the apex of the triangle.
2. Player one plays the red ball from the D to strike the pool of red balls with the aim of pocketing either the cue bail or any of the red balls in the pool Score 10 points for each red ball pocketed.
3. Using the pocketed red ball, Player one then plays for a nominated coloured ball with the aim of pocketing the coloured ball and keeping the cue ball on the playing surface - score the value of the coloured ball pocketed.
4. The coloured ball is returned to its spot, or the nearest available colour spot, Player one then takes a red ball from the return ball tray, or the nearest red ball to the D from the playing surface, places it in the D and repeats as for 2.
5. Player one ceases his break when A) No ball is pocketed-Total break scored added to score board.

B) A ball crosses the dead ball line or enters the D- Break score lost.

C) A foul stroke is played Break score lost and the foul points added to Player two's score.
6. Player two takes over and plays according to rules 2 to 5 inclusive.
7. At the end of 10 minutes, a bell rings and the return ball tray is closed by the barrier and play continues according to rules 2 to 6 inclusive until one or no red balls is left.
8. The lowest tariff ball on the playing surface is placed in the D and used as the cue ball and is played for the next lowest tarriff ball with the aim of pocketing either ball - score the value ofthe ball pocketed.
9. A table for playing the game of snooker substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. Repeat as for 8 until only one ball is left on the playing surface.

10. The scores at this point are entered on the score board. The last ball is played from the D for a nominated pocket via the opposite cushion to the pocket- score double the value of the ball when pocketed; if the ball is pocketed in any other pocket the double value is added to the other player's score.

11. The players take turns at the final shot until the ball is pocketed, and the winner is the player with the highest score.

TARIFF FOR THE BALLS Red - 10 points; Yellow- 20 points; Green - 30 points; Brown - 40 points; Blue - 50 points; Pink 60 points; Black-70 points.

FOUL STROKES

1. The nominated ball is missed - score to opponent 40 points or the value of the nominated ball, whichever is higher.

2. A ball other than the nominated ball is struck first - score to opponent 40 points or the value of the highest ball moved on the playing surface, whichever is higher.

3. A ball is pocketed other than the nominated ball - score to opponent 40 points or the value of the nominated ball or the value of the ball pocketed, whichever is higher.

4. The nominated ball is missed and the cue ball is pocketed without touching another ball on the playing surface score to opponent 80 points or double the value of the nominated ball, whichever is higher.

All foul scores are accumulative, i.e.:- if 2 and 3 occurs in the same stroke the total of 2 is added to total of the balls pocketed in 3.

If a foul stroke is played, the opponent has the option of asking the player committing the foul stroke to play again. If the player then plays another foul stroke the opponent must continue the play, i.e.

take the next stroke.

If the cue ball or any other ball crosses the dead ball line or enters the D without committing a foul the opponent must take the next stroke.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the table may be modified in various ways although that shown in Figure 1 is preferred. For example the holes 9 could be replaced by pockets partially or wholly recessed into the cushions 5, although this will make the game harder to play as the angle of attack to any pocket from the D is always fairly acute.

It would also be feasible to incorporate holes or pockets in positions other than those shown such as centrally between the brown and blue spots or against the rear wall directly behind the black spot.

CLAIMS (Filed on 26/1183)

1. A table for playing the game of snooker, comprising a playing surface having a playing area defining the usual starting positions for the spotting of the coloured snooker balls and a number of red balls, and a non-playing area at one end of the table behind a dead ball line adjacent to a central cue ball spotting position at the edge of the playing area, the playing area also defining holes or pockets for the receipt of balls which fall into the holes or pockets during the playing of a game, and communicating directly with a passage for delivering balls back to a return ball tray at the one end of the table.

2. Atable according to claim 1, wherein the playing area defines holes or pockets at the two sides of the table at positions between the line of spotting positions for yellow, brown and green balls and the spotting position for the blue ball.

3. Atable according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the playing area defines holes or pockets in the two corners at the other end of the table.

4. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sides and the end of the playing area at the other end of the table are provided with upstanding cushions along their length.

5. Atable according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-playing area is defined by lines extending from the cue ball spotting position to the sides and angled in a direction towards the other end of the table.

6. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dimensions of the playing area between the spotting positions for the yellow, brown and green balls and the other end of the table and the spotting positions for the coloured balls are proportional to the dimensions and spotting positions for a full-size conventional snooker table.

7. A table according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including a timing mechanism controlling the replacement of a barrier for preventing the passage of

balls from the holes or pockets to the return ball tray after a predetermined time interval.

8. Atable according to claim 7, including a coin-slot operated mechanism for starting the timing mechanism and raising the barrier.