GB2481031A

GB2481031A - Aiming assistant for table top ball games

Info

Publication number: GB2481031A
Application number: GB201009607A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Verhaeg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-08
Filing date: 2010-06-08
Publication date: 2011-12-14
Also published as: GB201009607D0

Abstract

An aiming assistant for table top ball games, such as snooker, billiards and American pool, comprises a portable free standing battery powered unit that projects a light beam onto an object ball in a game to assist a player in identifying where to aim a cue ball. The unit consists of a base 1 onto which a pivotally mounted light output housing 2 is secured. The light output 3 is preferably a non-divergent beam, such as a laser diode. The player can control the intensity of the light output by means of a thumb wheel 4. The light output housing 2 may be rotated to an upper (figure 1a) or lower (figure 1b) position for particular applications, but in its lower position, a register (5) for a ball is provided in front of the light output.

Description

Aiming Assistant for Table Top Ball Games The invention is a device that is used to provide guidance on where to aim the cue ball so as to achieve the desired collision with the object ball when playing table top ball games.

Table top ball games such as Snooker, Billiards, and American Pool etc, all involve the player striking a cue ball to cause the cue ball to collide with an object ball such that the object ball is driven in the desired direction. The desired direction for the object ball is often, but not exclusively, towards a receiving pocket.

If the cue ball, object ball, and pocket are arranged in a straight line, the ideal direction for the player to aim the cue ball is obviously along that straight line towards the object ball. If the cue ball, object ball, and receiving pocket are not arranged in a straight line, it is much more difficult for the player to decide where to aim the cue ball to cause the object ball to travel in the desired direction.

During a game, the object ball may be obscured by other balls, leaving the player to bounce the cue ball off the table cushions in order for the cue ball to strike the object ball. Choosing where to aim the cue ball such that it will rebound from the cushions and strike the object ball is a difficult decision to make.

Most players develop their knowledge of where to aim the cue ball in the above circumstances by trial and error, hence it can be very frustrating for young or new players to gain this knowledge, and many give up trying to play these games.

Where the cue ball has a clear path to the object ball, the device is used to illuminate the ideal point of contact on the object ball, for the cue ball to propel the object ball in the desired direction when collision between the balls occurs.

Where the cue ball does not have a clear path to the object ball, the device is used in conjunction with reflective surfaces placed against the cushions of the table, to reflect the light from the device around the table and onto the object ball. Once the path has been established, the cue balls point of first contact with a cushion is the identified by a marker placed above the cushion, and the reflective surfaces are removed from the table.

As the device may project a beam of light onto a ball that the player has direct sight of, it is anticipated that controlling the intensity of light as perceived by the player is essential. This is especially true when playing a tabletop ball game that employs different coloured balls.

The Aiming Assistant (device) invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 a and lb show the basic construction of the device and its principle features.

Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram that may used to control the light output power from the device.

Figure 3 shows the device in position to identify the ideal point of contact on the object ball for the cue ball to propel the object ball in the desired direction when collision occurs.

Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d show examples of observations made by the player.

Figure 5 shows a form of reflective surface that may be used in conjunction with the device.

Figure 6a shows the device used in conjunction with reflective surfaces to define a path for the cue ball to strike the object ball and avoid obstructions.

Figure 6b shows a Marker Post' to be used in circumstances such as shown in Figure 6a.

Referring to Figure 1 a: The device is a portable unit that consists of a Base (1) that supports a Housing (2), which in turn is arranged to have a single axis of rotation relative to the base. The Housing encases a Light Source (3) that is capable of producing a non divergent narrow beam of light such as would be produced by a laser diode. The housing is arranged to have a permissible angle of rotation of at least one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the base.

When the housing is rotated to its uppermost position, the light output is vertically further from the table surface on which the base rests, than the diameter of the balls used in the particular game.

Referring to Figure ib: When the Housing is rotated to its lower position, the light output is arranged to be at a height from the table surface approximately equal to the radius of balls used in the particular game. For stability, the base is preferably arranged to stand on three Feet (6) on the table surface. Adjacent to the light source when it is in its lower position, the base is Formed (5) to match the diameter of the balls to be used, so that a ball may be registered directly against the base whilst being axially aligned with and in front of the light source.

As the device is a portable unit, it also contains electrical batteries that may be single use or rechargeable, and control means for the light output. Access to the batteries may be obtained by a removable of Panel (8), whilst the power supply may be isolated from the light source by on/off Switch (7).

Referring to Figure 2: Power is provided from Battery Pack (Bi), and On-Off switch (Si) is effectively as item 7 in Figure lb. As the brightness of light output from a laser diode can not be controlled by varying the voltage applied to the diode, a means of controlling the brightness as perceived by the human eye is achieved by using a modified form of multi-vibrator circuit. Variable Resistor (Ri) is used to vary the time base for the resistor -capacitor network and hence the percentage of time that Laser Diode (Dl) is conducting current and outputting light. Providing component values are chosen to provide high frequency operation, the perceived light output will appear brighter, or less bright as the value of the variable resistor is adjusted. A Thumb Wheel (Figure ia, item 4) is directly connected to the variable resistor and this provides the means by which the user of the device can vary the intensity of light observed.

Referring to Figure 3: A view from directly above the Table (6) is presented to show the an example of positioning of the Device (4) in relation to an Object Ball (3) and the object balls receiving Pocket (1). The Light Output (2) from the device is aligned with the centre of the object ball, and the centre of receiving pocket. In this example, the housing that encases the body of the light source would be rotated on the base to its maximum height from the surface of the table. By further rotation of the housing, the light may by projected over the top of the object ball to illuminate the centre of the receiving pocket, and by still further rotation of the housing, the centre of the object ball can be illuminated. The ideal point of contact between Cue Ball (5) and object ball is identified when the light from the device illuminates a point on the object ball at its mid height (radius) from the table surface.

Referring to Figure 4a: A view is presented at mid ball height from the surface of the Table (1).

This view is shown to explain the ideal alignment of Cue Ball (2) and Object Ball (3) with respect to the Ideal Point of Contact (5) identified on the object ball by the light projected from the Device (4). As can be seen, the ideal point of contact on the object ball is mirrored in its relationship to the cue ball from this viewing position. Imaginary Mirror Line (6) is draw to assist this explanation.

Referring to Figure 4b: A view is presented as seen from the person playing the game. Correct alignment of Cue Ball (2) and Object Ball (1) is shown with the Ideal Point of Contact (3) and Imaginary Line (5). An Arrow (4) indicates the correct direction for the cue ball to follow to achieve ideal collision with the object ball.

Referring to Figure 4c: A view is presented as seen from the person playing the game. The direction of the Cue Ball (2) is misaligned with the Object Ball (1) such that the overlap of the cue ball to the Imaginary Line (5) and Ideal Point of Contact (3) is too great. Arrow (4) indicates the direction of the cue ball.

Referring to Figure 4d: A view is presented as seen from the person playing the game. The direction of the Cue BaH (2) is misaligned with the Object Ball (1) such that there is no overlap of the cue ball to the Imaginary Line (5) and Ideal Point of Contact (3). Arrow (4) indicates the direction of the cue ball.

Referring to Figure 5: The drawing presented shows a prismatic shape that may be produced by a moulding or extrusion process and is an embodiment of the aiming assistant device. The primary function of the item is to reflect light from the aiming assistant (device) when placed against the cushions of the table.

In order that this item can mimic the rebound of the cue ball from the table cushion when collision occurs, the profile of the item is arranged to have a Reflective Surface (3) which is intended to face towards the light source. The item rests on its Base (2) against the table surface, and the Curved Back Face (1) of the item is placed against the table cushion. Dimensionally, the radius of curvature of the back face is identical to the radius of the balls to be used in the particular game being played, whilst overall height of the item is identical to the balls diameter.

Referring to Figure 6a: A view is presented as seen from above the table. In this view, the Object Ball (1) is obscured by Surrounding Balls (3) from a direct path for the Cue BaIl (2). The technique of bouncing the cue ball off the side cushions of the table can provide a path for the cue ball without colliding with the surrounding balls. To determine this path, the Reflective Prisms (6) are placed against the side cushions of the table, and the Aiming Assistant (4) is registered against the cue ball with its light output housing in its lower position. By rotating the aiming assistant about the centre of the cue ball, a Path (5) for the cue ball can be determined. Once the path for the cue ball is established, the light output housing of the aiming assistant can be rotated through a small angle such that the light output is projected just above the height of the table cushion. To record this position, a Marker Post (7) which is an embodiment of the aiming assistant device, is placed on the table cushion such the light output from the aiming assistant shines on the stem of the marker post. The cue ball can now be placed on the table and registered against the aiming assistant. The aiming assistant and reflective prisms can be removed from the table, and the shot taken with the stem of the marker post indicating the aiming point for the centre of the cue ball.

Referring to Figure 6b: A view of a Marker Post is given.

Claims

Claims 1 A portable, battery powered free standing unit comprising a base onto which a pivotally mounted housing is located with the housing containing a light source capable of producing a narrow beam of light.
2. A portable battery powered device according to claim 1, in which the light output is provided by a laser diode.
3. A portable battery powered device according to claim 1, in which the intensity of light * output observed by the user can be varied by means of a variable resistor.
4. A portable battery powered device according to claim 1, in which the light output can be arranged to lie at a distance from the table surface equivalent to the radius of the balls to be used in the particular game for its intended use.
5. A portable battery powered device according to claim 1, in which the light output housing can be rotated on the base to project the light over the top of the balls to be used in the particular game.
6. A portable battery powered device in accordance with claims 1 and 4, in which a ball may be registered in front of the light output and axially aligned with it.
7. A portable battery powered device in accordance with claim 1, which may be used in conjunction with reflective surfaces to determine a path for a cue ball to follow when a direct path to the object ball is obscured.
8. A portable battery powered device in accordance with claim 1, which may be used in conjunction with a free standing stem to record the path of the light output.