GB2137102A - Apparatus for Playing Table Bowls - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises sets of differently coloured bowls, each bowl having eight radial lines (B1-Fig. 3) indicating its centre and discs (A1, D1) and lines (F1, F2) indicating outside and inside bias, cues for propelling the bowls, and a table having channels at the sides and members (A1-Fig. 1) at the ends for letting down alternately to facilitate use of the cues from respective ends. The table cloth (C1) may be held on rollers (C3) and tensioners (C2) and can be wound on as it wears and may have an inflatable bladder beneath its centre portion to enable simulation of crown green bowling. The table may be made in two separable halves. A pile mat may be provided for holding the bowl in portions prior to striking or alternatively a movable padded cup may be provided for this purpose. Instead of cueing, the bowls may be rolled by hand or a spring gun may be used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Table Bowls 1.

This is a completely new concept of the game of Bowls, The Bowls themselves are approximately half the size, are specially marked and are biased in relation to the tables on which they will be used.

Special tables varying in size will be envisaged, from a basic table the size of a standard billiard table to special match tables that are built in two halves, and miniature tables as used private homes and clubs and bars.

The newest feature is that the Bowls will be propelled by a cue similar to a billiard cue, this brings a new skill into the game, the player being able to add on "Side", "Top", or "Bottom" into his stroke.

The Bowls are specially lined with eight radius lines showing the centre of the Bowl and a thick line and a large disc showing the outside Bias, a thin line and a small disc showing the inside Bias.

2.

The Bowls themselves will have specific colours, four of each for a team of eight players, "Home Lead" 4. Yellow. "Away Lead" 4. Green.

"Home Second" 4. Pink. "Away second" 4.

Brown. "Home Third" 4. Red. "Away Third" 4.

Blue. "Home Skip" 4. White. "Away Skip" 4.

Black. All Bowls except Black will have solid Black indicating lines and discs. The Black Bowls will have solid White lines and discs.

The specific colouring of Bowls is to prevent confusion between players, and enable spectators to follow the game with ease, Bowls will usually be supplied with the tables.

3.

Equipment for adapting the Standard Billiard Table is included in this specification. When this equipment is fitted the game of Table Bowls can be played in exactly the same way as on a Basic Bowls Table.

I would like to bring this game within the reach of another group of people, Crown Green Bowlers, By fitting a small bladder in the centre of the table, this can be inflated slightly creating a mound in centre and this would provide the Crown Green for them to enjoy their type of game.

1.

Al. Table end in raised position ready to play.

B.1. Table side as section showing far side.

B.2. Table side as seen in foreground.

C.1. Cloth on the table top. C.2. Cloth tensioner, C3. Cloth roll.

D.1. Counterbalance to assist in raising table end, both table ends are the same and are used alternately, as the Game is played from each end in turn.

E.1. Table leg, F.1. Padding on inside faces to prevent damage to the bowls.

H. 1. Slate or composition base for the table.

G.1. Section through table frame.

J.1. Dyke. Channel for catching the bowls, 2.

Fig. 2 A.1 Table end in lowered position to facilitate the players using their cues.

B.2. Table side, E. 1. Table leg. D. 1.

Counterbalance in raised position.

3.

Fig. 3.

A.1. Large disc indicating Outside bias, B.1. Black lines showing Bowl centres, 8 section lines.

C. 1. The colour part of the Bowl. All indicating lines are in solid black.

Centre View A.1. Side view of large disc, B.1. Indicating lines front view, C.1. Colour part of bowl, D.1. Side view of small disc indicating Inside bias, E.1. Dotted line showing inside bias, E.2. Dotted line showing Outside bias.

F. 1. Narrow line to indicate inside bias when Bowl is in holding cup and covering discs.

F.2. Broad line indicating Outside bias when in holding cup.

Third View D.1. Small disc for inside bias, B.1. Centre indicator lines.

C.1. Colour part of Bowl, Each players Bowls have a special colour, 4.

Fig. 4.

A.1. MAT shape, A.2. Indicating Pile side of cloth. Velvet or any like pile cloth.

5.

Fig. 5.

Alternative Mat as may be used for match play or for professional play.

A. 1. MAT base semi circular disc of wood or composition.

B.1. Arm carrying holding cup, This turns through an arc of 180 deg.

C. 1. Cup to hold the Bowl in position, this is lined with soft material G.1. And can turn its axis.

D.1 Tension screw to adjust pressure on cup holding the Bowl.

E. 1. Depresion in the front the Mat for locating the Jack prior to shooting it up the table with a Cue.

F.1. Radiating lines to assist the player in setting the are.

6.

Fig. 6.

Section through table sides showing gullies down each side, Bowls going into these go out of play.

A.). Table End. B.1. and B.2. Table sides, C.1.

and C2. Table legs.

D.1. Slate or composition or other suitable material for cloth bed.

E.1. Section through table frame.

G. 1. Padding on all faces to protect Bowls.

1.

Fig. 1. Plan Conversion equipment for playing Table Bowls on a Billiard table A. 1. Table end. B.1. and B.2. Screw knobs for holding table end in position. C.1. Table cloth.

D.1. Arms carrying E.1.

E.1. Shaft this carries rubber fringe curtain the width of the table. This serves the purpose of the Dye on the Bowls table.

G.1. and G.2. Are box sections running the full length of the table and protecting the billiard table side cushions and pockets and providing a padded side wall to contain the Bowls, if they should run into the side.

H. 1. and H.2. and H.3. Are rubber flaps that lay on the table sides and end, they have a ridge which has a sloping front and a square inside face this allows a Bowl to run over but not come out again, J.1. and J.2. Are screw knobs holding the side frames in positions.

K.1. and K.2. and K.3. Padding on all side and end faces, this padding is only to protect the Bowls and is not intended to have any springing reaction.

2.

Fig. 2.

Is a section. of Fig. 1. Through A.A. Both ends of the table are the same in all respects.

L. 1. Slate or composition bed for cloth, 0.1. and 02. Table legs.

P.1. and P.2. Billiard table side cushions shown clear of box sections G. 1. and G.2.

Q.1. and Q.2. Packing between Box section and top of Billiard table cushions.

Claims (4)

1.

The game Table Bowls is a completely new game requiring the manufacture of Special tables, Bowls, Mats and Cues.

The tables have channels on either side for the bowls to run into, Dyes at either end, and the ends are let down alternately as players play from each end this is done to facilitate the use of the cue.

The cloth is held on rollers under the table and can be wound on as the cloth wears, Tensioners are provided each end to keep the cloth taut.

Match tables are made in two halves, when it is required these tables can be split into two separate tables, the cloth is rolled on to the roller and placed under the table with the other roller in its half.

All the tables will have special tops fitted so that they can serve a dual purpose in the Village halls Youth Clubs and the like where it is expected to base them.

The Bowls are specially made of Wood, Rubber, or Composition, and are of a size in relation to the tables on which they will be used.

Match Tables, Standard tables Miniature tables made to customers requirements.

The Bowls are specially coloured, four of each, Yellow, Pink, Red, White, for the Home team, and Green, Brown, Blue, and Black, for the Away team. When playing a Singles match, Yellow and Green will be used, When playing a Doubles match, Yellow and Green and Skips White and Black. When playing a triples match Yellow and Green Pink and Brown, and Skips White and Black.

The Bowls have eight solid radial lines that indicate the centre of the Bowl, a solid wide line and a narrow line indicate Outside and Inside Bias respectively, runs round centre of the Bowl, This is to aid the player when about to use his cue.

Bowls will be Biased according to the Tables on which they will be used and generally supplied with the table.

Two Mats are provided, a general purpose mat and one for Match play, The general purpose mat is a semi circular piece of velvet or a similar kind of Pile cloth, this will hold the Bowl in position prior to striking with the cue.

The Match Play Mat is a semi circular wood or composition item carrying an arm that can be moved through an arc of 180 deg, On the arm is a padded cup that can adjusted to lightly hold the Bowl, this cup can turned on its own axis to where the player requires. The choice of Mats is left to the players concerned.

The Cue, It is envisaged that a slightly heavier Cue may be necessary for striking the Bowls.

2. Claim No. 2.

Equipment has been designed to adapt Standard Billiard Tables to play Table Bowls, The special table ends are dropped alternately and the game is played exactly the same as Table Bowls.

3. Claim No. 3.

Unfortunately we have many Handicapped people, and the elderly who may have difficulty in using a cue, I would like them to be able to enjoy Table Bowls any means they can, Rolling by hand or a spring gun etc,

4. Claim No. 4.

By fitting a bladder under the centre of the cloth and inflating it slightly to produce a mound we can cater for Crown Green Bowlers. They would play the game in exactly the same way but to their own rules.