| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 473002000 | Practice device or device to aid in aiming cue or cue ball during shots (e.g., to assist in bank shots, etc.) | 24 |
| 20080220887 | POOL CUE SYSTEMS - Pool cue systems are disclosed which include at least one graphical icon on the pool cue shaft adapted to be observed within the shooter's peripheral vision while shooting pool. The icons are preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis of the pool cue shaft at predetermined distances indicative of game parameters, which are stroke lengths, bridge hand locations, and stroke speeds. The icons are adapted to enable easy peripheral observation of pool cue stick motion while shooting pool with the eyes focused on an object billiard ball. The icons may additionally be decorative. Methods of use, making, and doing business are integral to the pool cue systems. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080268972 | Bank shot guide for billiards - The bank shot guide for billiards has at least one visible marking which may be disposed on a pool cue shaft, tape measure, floor, or floor accessory adapted to be easily observable by the shooter while setting up a pool shot on a pool table. The markings can be aligned along the length of the pool cue shaft, tape measure, floor, or floor accessory at predetermined distances to provide graphical symbols that can aid a player in calculating bank angle game parameters applicable to the game table being played on. The markings are designed to represent extensions of readily observable existing diamond markings typically located on the pool table side rails. Groups of the markings may be color coded and/or rotationally separated from each other to visibly display the appropriate group of markings applicable to a particular length of pool table being used. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090111594 | BILLIARDS PRACTICE DEVICE - A billiards practice device has (a) a body defining a central portion sized and dimensioned to accept and closely retain a billiards ball; and (b) the body further defining a viewing port located such that, when the billiards ball is retained within the central portion, the lower portion of the billiards ball is visible to a user. In practice, the billiards practice device is used in combination with an elongate handle. In one embodiment, the elongate handle is provided by a cue stick which is attached to the billiards practice device, such as by being disposed in press fit within a bore defined in the body. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090186712 | BILLIARDS STROKE TRAINING DEVICE - This invention relates generally to billiards, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing a billiards stroke training device. In one embodiment, the invention includes a harness, a sleeve, a guide, the guide being coupled to the sleeve; and a post, the post being coupled to the harness, the post being configurable to limit motion of the guide, wherein the harness is configurable to being worn on an upper torso of a billiards player, wherein the sleeve is configurable to being worn on an arm of the billiards player, and wherein motion of the arm of the billiards player is limited to that provided for by the guide. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090186713 | SPORTS CUE TRAINING AID - The present invention provides a sports cue for improving the consistency of a player's shot. The sports cue includes a tapered length of material having a longitudinal axis therethrough, wherein the density of material above the longitudinal axis is less than that below the longitudinal axis to form a “bottom-heavy” cue. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090258718 | Billiards Shot Training Device and Method - The shot training device is used as a training aid for learning to play pocket billiards. The device aids the student in learning the three major components of a shot for pocket billiards: pocketing the object ball, cue ball direction, and cue ball speed control. The device includes an object ball circle for placement of an object ball. The device also includes an imaginary cue ball circle for aiming the cue ball. The device further includes cut angle lines and cue ball path lines for determining a cut angle to the object ball and plotting a path of the cue ball after impact with the object ball. A kit and a method of training a user to play billiards are also disclosed. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090264212 | TRAINING BALLS FOR POOL AND THE LIKE - A training ball for pool type games. The training ball may comprise an array of visually coded bounded shapes disposed on the spherical exterior surface, wherein each one visually coded bounded shape has a characteristic visual coding such as color, and a diametrically opposed corresponding visually coded bounded shape having substantially identical characteristic visual coding, and wherein the array covers substantially all of the spherical exterior surface of the solid sphere. All of the visually coded bounded shapes display characteristic visual coding which is easily visually discernible from each adjacent one of the visually coded bounded shapes. In an associated method of play or practice, a player may visually hypothesize a straight line passing through the center of the training ball using the opposed similar visually coded bounded shapes, mentally set up a shot, and then execute that shot. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090275417 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PRACTICING A BILLIARD SHOT - Devices, systems and methods for practicing a billiard shot includes a body having an upper surface and a lower surface that is substantially parallel to the upper surface, an outer edge is defined by an outer diameter and a cavity is defined by an inner edge having an inner diameter, an inner diameter is slightly greater than an outer diameter of a billiard ball, wherein the lower and upper surfaces are defined between the inner and outer diameters. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100056286 | KIT FOR PROVIDING TRAINING FOR POOL GAME BANK SHOTS AND METHOD THEREOF - A kit and a method for providing training for pool game bank shots. The kit comprises a plurality of aiming posts and a plurality of base members. Each aiming post of the plurality of aiming posts comprises a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. Each base member of the plurality of base members comprises a hollow central portion for receiving the proximal end portion of an aiming post. The proximal end portion of the aiming post received in the hollow central portion of a base member enables the aiming post to assume an upright position. The aiming post of the plurality of aiming posts configured in the upright position and positioned at a pre-determined distance from a pool table provides an aiming point for aiming at least one of a cue ball and an object ball for executing a pool game bank shot. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100120547 | Cue Ball Aiming and Billiard Training Device - This invention relates to the field of playing billiards and in particular to a cue ball aiming or training device for learning to aim a cue ball to an object ball to drive the object ball in a desired direction. The aiming device provides an indication of the true point of aim for directing a cue ball to an object ball, to drive the object ball in a desired direction. In use, the aiming device is positioned on top of the object ball and has a direction indicator to point to the desired intended direction of the object ball and a strike point indicator to identify the true point of aim for the cue ball. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100178994 | Intelligent System To Indicate Appropriate Trajectories in Cue Sports - A game manager receives a request from a user to play a cue sport, which includes a table and a plurality of balls. The game manager retrieves user attributes corresponding to the user that include a user skill level. Next, the game manager detects ball locations for each of the plurality of balls, and determines one or more beginning shot opportunities based upon the user skill level and the plurality of ball locations. In turn, the game manager provides the beginning shot opportunities to the user. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20110065520 | ELECTRONIC LASER LIGHTED POOL GAME SYSTEM - A pool game system includes a pool table having a playing surface, rails and pockets. A plurality of pool balls and at least one cue stick are provided. A plurality of illuminating components is within the rails of the pool table. A plurality of contact sensors are each within the rails and pockets of the pool table. A computer within the pool table causes one illuminating component to flash when one contact sensor detects one pool ball propelled by the at least one cue stick, when in a first instance the pool ball bounces off a rail and when in a second instance the pool ball enters a pocket of the pool table. A cue stick includes a battery, a control switch circuit, a crossed-hair slot and a built-in light emitting element in a forward end, to produce a red laser beam for identifying a path to a specific pocket on the playing surface of the pool table. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110070959 | Clip/fastener with wheel, ball bearing, or roller device or apparatus: Junior shark guiding wheel - Novice players who participate in billiards, pocket billiards or pocket pool will find this clip/fastener with wheel, ball bearing or rollers device/invention, in one form referred to as a “Junior Shark Guiding Wheel” helpful to protect the costly fabric covering for the playing table and will find that the device will assist them in developing their cue stroke. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110070960 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONAL ERROR CORRECTION IN A ROBOTIC POOL SYSTEM USING A CUE-ALIGNED LOCAL CAMERA - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately positioning a robotic pool-playing device. The system comprises a computer controlled robotic positioning device, such as a gantry robot, that can position a cue over the pool table and place a shot. A global camera is mounted on the ceiling looking down at the table, and the acquired images are transmitted to the computer for analysis to determine the identity and locations of the balls within the table coordinate reference frame. The computer also automatically determines which ball to strike. An aspect of the invention is the use of a local camera, mounted on or near the robotic end-effector in a fixed relationship with the cue, to improve the positioning error of the robotic device prior to placing a shot. By comparing the ball locations perceived from the vantage of the local camera with the known ball locations determined from the global camera image, the invention can calculate the acquired robotic positioning error, which can then be corrected for prior to placing the shot. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20120149481 | POOL STROKE TRAINING TOOL AND METHOD OF USE - A pool stroke training tool comprising: an elongated body, where said elongated body extends between a first end and a second end; a base along a bottom portion of said elongated body, where said base is wider than an upper portion of said elongated body; a spacer attached above said elongated body, where said spacer extends the length of said elongated body; and a slide bar attached at top of the spacer. In one particular embodiment, the pool stroke-training tool may include indentations along the length of the elongated body and along the base. Felt may be used as a cover for the slide bar. In another exemplary embodiment, the slide bar includes a first rise at a first height and a second rise at a second height. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120208651 | Devices and Assemblies for Repetitively Practicing A Billiard Shot - A device and assembly of devices for repetitively practicing a billiard shot including a body with a cavity and adhesive material applied to a lower surface of the body for selectively securing the body to the surface of the billiard table for flat placement thereon, the cavity has a dimension that is slightly greater than an outer diameter of a billiard ball, wherein the body has a substantially minute thickness for providing no more than a minimal impact to a travel of the billiard ball over the body and across the surface of the billiard table after the body is placed about the billiard ball and selectively secured on the billiard table surface with the adhesive material. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120264531 | CUE BALL DEFECTIONS PATH TEACHING AID AND METHOD - A cue ball deflection path training aid used by beginning pool or billiards players to help them optimally position the cue ball for the next shot. The aid includes cue ball deflection grid attached or imprinted on a cue stick's top surface. The grid includes a main neutral l line, a transverse line, and two diagonally aligned lines that converge to designate a center intersection point. The two diagonal lines are aligned at approximately 30 degrees from the transverse line. The grid is oriented on the cue stick so that the main neutral line is aligned with the cue stick's longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the grid is printed on an adhesive label attached to or near the cue stick's midline axis. During use, the player holds the cue stick so that lines of the grid are aligned with the aiming line or over the object ball path line. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20130059671 | Measure your shot - MEASURE YOUR SHOT (M.Y.S.) is a methodology and technology of two billiard balls, each ball including nine (9) one quarter inch (1/4″) lines scribed 360 degrees, the lines are scaled to diamonds on rails of a billiard table. With the aid of the diamonds and lines it becomes simple for a user and spectators to recognize the type of shot. The training balls provide a tool for improving a user's shot. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130065702 | SPORT SWINGING, HITTING AND THROWING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - The present invention is a sport swinging, hitting and throwing assistance device that includes a cumber bun base belt that is wrapped around and secured to an athlete's waist and chest area while the athlete is swinging, hitting or throwing a piece of sports equipment, an arm loop that is attached to the cumber bun base belt by an expandable guide arm and receives the athlete's middle arm area that is inserted through the arm loop and a buckle. The device can also be a vest style base device that is wrapped around and secured to an athlete's torso or a panty style base device that is wrapped around and secured to an athlete's torso while the athlete is swinging, hitting, or throwing a golf club or other piece of sports equipment. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130123032 | TRAINING BALLS FOR POOL AND THE LIKE - A training ball for pool type games. The training ball may comprise an array of visually coded bounded shapes disposed on the spherical exterior surface, wherein each one visually coded bounded shape has a characteristic visual coding such as color, and a diametrically opposed corresponding visually coded bounded shape having substantially identical characteristic visual coding, and wherein the array covers substantially all of the spherical exterior surface of the solid sphere. All of the visually coded bounded shapes display characteristic visual coding which is easily visually discernible from each adjacent one of the visually coded bounded shapes. In an associated method of play or practice, a player may visually hypothesize a straight line passing through the center of the training ball using the opposed similar visually coded bounded shapes, mentally set up a shot, and then execute that shot. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20140243109 | Reflective billiard balls, apparatus, system, and method - A reflective billiard ball with a highly reflective surface, regardless of tint, of sufficient reflective qualities to allow the user to align the cue stick accurately with the axis of reflective billiard ball. The ball comprises a spherical convex mirror, where the reflected image is smaller than actual size because the light waves are diverged by the spherical shape. Further disclosed is an aiming device, to aid the user in aiming a cue ball towards an object ball so that the cue ball pushes the object ball into a desired pocket. Furthermore disclosed is a cue stick with a highly reflective surface, regardless of tint, of sufficient reflective qualities to allow the user to align the cue stick accurately with the axis of the disclosed reflective billiard ball. The reflective attribute extends from the tip of the cue stick to the butt of the cue stick. Still further disclosed are systems and methods comprising the disclosed reflective billiard balls, aiming device, and cue stick | 08-28-2014 |
| 20160016066 | CUE BALL DEFLECTION PATH TEACHING AID AND METHOD - A cue ball deflection path training aid used by beginning pool or billiards players to help them optimally position the cue ball for the next shot. The aid includes cue ball deflection grid attached or imprinted on a cue stick's top surface. The grid includes a main neutral l line, a transverse line, and two diagonally aligned lines that converge to designate a center intersection point. The two diagonal lines are aligned at approximately 30 degrees from the transverse line. The grid is oriented on the cue stick so that the main neutral line is aligned with the cue stick's longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the grid is printed on an adhesive label attached to or near the cue stick's midline axis. During use, the player holds the cue stick so that lines of the grid are aligned with the aiming line or over the object ball path line. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160059110 | Laser equipped billiard cue - A laser equipped billiard cue comprising a laser emitter module, a leveling member, and battery pack. The leveling member further comprised of a pivot member and a counterweight. The level unit is being used for keeping the emitter module over the top and center of the billiard cue. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160144254 | Sports Equipment - A cue or golf club head having a sighting aid, a golf club having the golf club head, and uses thereof. | 05-26-2016 |
