GB2211101A

GB2211101A - Table for a game

Info

Publication number: GB2211101A
Application number: GB8824069A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Garner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-20
Filing date: 1988-10-13
Publication date: 1989-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-13
Also published as: GB2211101B; GB8824069D0; GB8724504D0

Abstract

A table for a game e.g. bowls, skittles, comprises a rectangular rink or playing area (1) presenting a playing surface formed from a textile fabric having a low pile e.g. a height of about 1 mm to 4 mm. The sides and back of the area are each bounded by gutters (2, 11) to receive a bowl out of play. As shown gutters (11) terminate in removable barriers (3) beyond which are gutter extensions (4) for bowls (5) awaiting play. Interior walls of gutters can be covered with fabric of colour contrasting with colour of fabric of playing area. Bowls e.g. of synthetic resin, lignum vitae are made with bias - they are struck by a cue (9) and a removable mat (7) provides temporary support - mat is of stainless steel or other dense material. For skittles, gutters can be inclined. <IMAGE>

Description

GAMES TABLE This invention relates to a table on which to play games utilising balls particularly but not exclusively a game of bowls.

The game of bowls is usually played on a grass rink which can be flat or domed depending upon whether the game to be played is flat or crown. In order to extend the season for playing the game the conditions of play have been translated so as to enable it to be played undercover in buildings. One of the major alterations that has been made is to replace the grass rink with a textile fabric. In other respects the nature of the bowls themselves and the size of the rink remain very similar.

The transfer of the game from outdoors to indoors has resulted in a considerable extension in the amount that the game is played. However the length of a rink is about 42.7metres (140feet). Consequently the game has necessarily to be confined to public buildings such as sports pavilions and halls etc. which are large enough for the purpose. The present invention is directed to a table on which a game of bowls can be played and which is small enough to be used in ordinary domestic homes. In contrast to conventional games the bowls are propelled with a cue similar to a cue used for the playing of billiards.

Accordingly this invention provides a table for a game of bowls comprising a rectangular playing area presenting a playing surface formed from a textile fabric having a low pile the playing area being surrounded at least in part by a gutter.

This invention is illustrated but not restricted by the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates in perspective one preferred form of table made according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a view in plan of the feature shown as numeral 7 in Figure 1.

In these figures a rink or playing area (1) is made of wood having a length of 246.4cms (8feet lin.), a width of 48.3cms (1 foot 7ins) and a thickness of 6S5 cms (2.5 ins). The surface of the rink is covered by a textile fabric having a low pile. The nature of the surface is important because of the effect it has on the speed and direction of travel of the bowl which is used in the game.

If the pile height is too great it exerts too great a drag on the movement of the bowl. On the other hand if it is too little there is a tendency for the bowl to move too quickly. The height of the pile can nevertheless vary, e.g. from 1-4 mm. Very good results have generally been obtained with pile height of about 1-2mm. The fabric cover is dyed with a shade of colour which preferably is both uniform and restful to the eyes, e.g. grey or green.

The sides and the back of the rink are surrounded by gutters (2 & 11) which are wide enough to receive a bowl rolling off the rink and out of play. The interior walls of the gutters can also covered with fabric which can be the same material forming the covering to the rink although preferably it should have a colour which contrasts with that used on playing area. The gutters on opposing sides to the rink terminate in barriers (3) beyond which are gutter extensions (4) for storing bowls (5) awaiting play.

The barriers can if desired be removable to enable the table to be used for other games. The table is supported by legs (6) which can be detachable so as to enable the table to be placed on some other support for example another table having the necessary height and surface area.

The bowls which are used on the table can be made of any material used for the manufacture of bowls e.g. synthetic resins or lignum vitae and in may respects they are smaller counterparts of the bowls used in conventional forms of the game. They are made with a bias by providing them with an asymetrical shape and consequently the bowls have two diameters one greater than the other. When the bowl is travelling over the surface of the rink the part of the bowl making contact with the rink is referred to as the sole. The greater diameter is that measured from opposing points on the sole taken through the centre of the bowl.

The smaller diameter is measured at right angles to the greater diameter. Bowls having a greater diameter of about 51mm (2ins.) and a smaller diameter of about 4so . (1.77 ins.) have been found very satisfactory when used on a rink having a fabric covering with a lmm. pile.

When the bowl is placed in a correct position prior to being struck with a cue the centre of gravity of the bowl generally does not occupy the closest position with respect to the surface of the rink. Consequently if the bowl is not supported it tends to roll over. In order to prevent this the table is provided with a temporary support for the bowl which takes the form of a removable mat (7). The mat consists of stainless steel or other dense material to give it weight and it is provided with a cut-out area (8) which is just large enough to accommodate a bowl. The latter can then be rotated by the player within the cut-out area to provide the orientation required by the player without moving the mat (7). The bowl is hit with a form of cue (9) similar to that used in the playing of billiards or snooker except that it is preferably shorter and provided with a wider tip (10).

The present table can be used for other ball games for example skittles. For this purpose the floor of the gutters can be inclined and barriers (3) removed so that any bowl rolling off the rink falls into the gutter and rolls back alongside the rink until it enters one of the gutter extensions for replay.

Claims

1. A table for a game of bowls comprising a rectangular playing area presenting a playing surface formed from a textile fabric having a low pile the playing area being surrounded at least in part by a gutter.

2. A table according to Claim 1 wherein the height of the pile is from 1 to 4 mm.

3. A table according to either of Claims 1 and 2 wherein a gutter extends along opposing sides of the playing area and each gutter is provided with a bottom which is inclined downwards towards the same end of the playing area.

4. A table according to Claim 3 wherein each gutter terminates in a gutter extension.

5. A table according to Claim 4 wherein the gutter extension is separated from the gutter by a barrier.

6. A table according to Claim 5 wherein the barrier is removeable.

7. A table according to any one of the preceding claims when provided with detachable legs.

8. A table according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the playing area is provided with a temporary support for a bowl.

9. A table according to claim 8 wherein the bowl has a greater diameter of 51mm. and a smaller diameter of 45mm.

10.Tables for playing a game of bowls as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the drawings.