GB2150839A

GB2150839A - Ball for billiards-type game

Info

Publication number: GB2150839A
Application number: GB08333047A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clement John Richards; John Terence Gillard
Original assignee: Herbert Terry and Sons Ltd
Current assignee: Herbert Terry and Sons Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-10
Filing date: 1983-12-10
Publication date: 1985-07-10
Also published as: GB8333047D0

Abstract

A billiards-type game is provided with a ball arranged to separate into several components when hit in a particular area. If either of end caps 14 or 16 is hit, shaft 18 is displaced so as to take enlargements 20 out of engagement with keyhole slots in telescoped tubular projections from the two semi-spherical components 10 12 allowing spring 24 to urge them apart. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Games This invention relates to games similar to billiards, snooker or pool, in that they are played using balls on a flat table and with a cue to strike one ball.

Such games will herein be called billiard-like games.

According to the invention a billiards-like game is characterised by the provision of at least one ball which is constructed and arranged so that when hit in one of a number of locations it automatically separates into several components.

The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation of the said ball; Figure 2 is a further elevation of the same taken in the direction of the arrow A; Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view.

The ball when assembled and as seen in Figures 1 and 2 is a complete sphere. The sphere is composed of two half shells 10 12 which meet at the meridian of the sphere, and each shell has a pair of semi-circular recesses which meet to define circular apertures at the poles of the sphere.

The third major component of th ball is a pair of part-spherical end caps 14 16 joined to, for example moulded integrally with a spindle 18 which extends axially from pole to pole.

The shells 10 12 have cooperating telescopically engaged tubular projections, each of which is formed with a pair of diametrically aligned bayonet type slots, and the spindle 18 has a pair of enlargements 20 which are of the same diameter as the enlarged portions of the slots.

As seen in Figure 3, when the third component is assembled to complete the sphere, the enlargements 20 engage in the bayonet holes and hold the assembly in the illustrated position.

A helical compression spring 24 is trapped in a bore in one of the components, such as 12, to act on the other of the components 10, and the result is if and when the third component is displayed in either of the directions of the arrows B, the enlargements 20 pass out of engagement with the enlarged portions of the bayonets slots and take the narrower shaft 18 into alignment therewith, and because the shaft 18 is of smaller thickness than the narrowest portion of the bayonet slots, the spring 24 can drive the component apart and effectively displace at least the shells 10 12 to the separated position shown in Figure 4.

The third component consisting of the end caps 14 16 and the shaft 18 may in fact remain engaged with one or other of the components, or become separated, and similarly the spring 24 may remain in a bore in the part 12 or may also become separated. This depends to some extent upon the design of the components and the strength of the spring. It is preferred to use a sufficiently powerful spring so that the parts separate completely.

The ball thus described may be used in a snooker type game, for example by providing each of two players, or each of two teams with one such ball together with a collection of other and conventional snooker balls. The rules may provide that scores are amassed (in the conventional snooker game manner) by pocketing or "potting" the balls in the required order, but a special bonus or penalty for one or other side or player is achieved by causing the opponents special ball as shown in the drawings to separate.

This separation is of course to be achieved by using the cue ball in the usual way, but instead of aiming at a particular coloured snooker ball, aiming at the ball of the drawings so as to hit the same on either of the end caps 1416 sufficiently squarely and with sufficient force to cause the separation as mentioned.

It will be appreciated by those knowledgeable of the game of snooker that instead of a player using his turn to attempt to pot balls and thus add to his score, he may use his turn to attempt to displace the conventional snooker balls so as to form a protective screen around his special ball according to the drawings. Similarly, instead of using a turn to attempt to pocket the snooker ball and add to his score, he may attempt to hit his opponents special ball according to the drawings, so as to gain a particular bonus or (according to the rules of the game) completely win the game with one stroke.

As the conventional snooker balls are potted and not replaced, the possible protective screen becomes reduced and hence the chances of a shot at the ball of the drawing increases. Even then, by appropriate positioning of the ball of the drawings, the vulnerable areas 14 16 can be shielded or turned towards the cushions of the table to minimise the risk of them being hit and so on.

It is believed that many different possible versions of game can be produced based on this ball with appropriate descriptions and terminology of the ball to suit different game themes.

1. A billiards-like game characterised by the provision of at least one ball which is constructed and arranged so that when hit in one of a number of locations it automatically separates into several components.

2. A game as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the ball has two such locations disposed generally at the poles of the sphere.

3. A game as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the components include a pair of generally hemispherical shells which meet a meridian of the sphere.

4. A game as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the two components have tubular internal projections which are telescopically engaged.

5. A game as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the end caps extending over the polar areas of the sphere are connected by a common shaft having enlargements which are normally engaged in the enlarged portions of bayonet slots in both of the tubular projections, and when the caps are axially displaced, the components can be separated by a

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Games This invention relates to games similar to billiards, snooker or pool, in that they are played using balls on a flat table and with a cue to strike one ball. Such games will herein be called billiard-like games. According to the invention a billiards-like game is characterised by the provision of at least one ball which is constructed and arranged so that when hit in one of a number of locations it automatically separates into several components. The invention is more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an elevation of the said ball; Figure 2 is a further elevation of the same taken in the direction of the arrow A; Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view. The ball when assembled and as seen in Figures 1 and 2 is a complete sphere. The sphere is composed of two half shells 10 12 which meet at the meridian of the sphere, and each shell has a pair of semi-circular recesses which meet to define circular apertures at the poles of the sphere. The third major component of th ball is a pair of part-spherical end caps 14 16 joined to, for example moulded integrally with a spindle 18 which extends axially from pole to pole. The shells 10 12 have cooperating telescopically engaged tubular projections, each of which is formed with a pair of diametrically aligned bayonet type slots, and the spindle 18 has a pair of enlargements 20 which are of the same diameter as the enlarged portions of the slots. As seen in Figure 3, when the third component is assembled to complete the sphere, the enlargements 20 engage in the bayonet holes and hold the assembly in the illustrated position. A helical compression spring 24 is trapped in a bore in one of the components, such as 12, to act on the other of the components 10, and the result is if and when the third component is displayed in either of the directions of the arrows B, the enlargements 20 pass out of engagement with the enlarged portions of the bayonets slots and take the narrower shaft 18 into alignment therewith, and because the shaft 18 is of smaller thickness than the narrowest portion of the bayonet slots, the spring 24 can drive the component apart and effectively displace at least the shells 10 12 to the separated position shown in Figure 4. The third component consisting of the end caps 14 16 and the shaft 18 may in fact remain engaged with one or other of the components, or become separated, and similarly the spring 24 may remain in a bore in the part 12 or may also become separated. This depends to some extent upon the design of the components and the strength of the spring. It is preferred to use a sufficiently powerful spring so that the parts separate completely. The ball thus described may be used in a snooker type game, for example by providing each of two players, or each of two teams with one such ball together with a collection of other and conventional snooker balls. The rules may provide that scores are amassed (in the conventional snooker game manner) by pocketing or "potting" the balls in the required order, but a special bonus or penalty for one or other side or player is achieved by causing the opponents special ball as shown in the drawings to separate. This separation is of course to be achieved by using the cue ball in the usual way, but instead of aiming at a particular coloured snooker ball, aiming at the ball of the drawings so as to hit the same on either of the end caps 1416 sufficiently squarely and with sufficient force to cause the separation as mentioned. It will be appreciated by those knowledgeable of the game of snooker that instead of a player using his turn to attempt to pot balls and thus add to his score, he may use his turn to attempt to displace the conventional snooker balls so as to form a protective screen around his special ball according to the drawings. Similarly, instead of using a turn to attempt to pocket the snooker ball and add to his score, he may attempt to hit his opponents special ball according to the drawings, so as to gain a particular bonus or (according to the rules of the game) completely win the game with one stroke. As the conventional snooker balls are potted and not replaced, the possible protective screen becomes reduced and hence the chances of a shot at the ball of the drawing increases. Even then, by appropriate positioning of the ball of the drawings, the vulnerable areas 14 16 can be shielded or turned towards the cushions of the table to minimise the risk of them being hit and so on. It is believed that many different possible versions of game can be produced based on this ball with appropriate descriptions and terminology of the ball to suit different game themes. CLAIMS

5. A game as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the end caps extending over the polar areas of the sphere are connected by a common shaft having enlargements which are normally engaged in the enlarged portions of bayonet slots in both of the tubular projections, and when the caps are axially displaced, the components can be separated by a helical compression spring trapped between the parts.

6. A snooker game characterised by the provision of at least one ball as claimed in any proceed ing claim and accompanying rules allowing a penalty or bonus for separation of the components.

7. A billiards-like game characterised by the provision of a ball substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.