A gaming table includes a playing surface and a rail surrounding the playing surface. The playing surface includes a plateau in the center which may release one or more balls. The balls may roll off the plateau toward one or more input apertures in an inside wall of the rail. Flippers near each goal may be pivoted or actuated to deflect balls from rolling into the respective goal. Balls which pass through one of the goals may be retained in a collection chamber and retrieved by a user through a retrieval aperture in an outside wall of the rail. The playing surface may include ridges to direct released balls toward each of the goals and obstacles to prevent balls from rolling directly into the goals.

A training apparatus for teaching and practicing skills for sports. The apparatus includes at least one removable electronic device having at least one proximity sensor, a playing surface having a cavity which receives the at least one removable electronic device, and a gamepiece, such as a ball. Each proximity sensor is adapted to sense the gamepiece and activates a visual or audio indicator on the at least one removable electronic device if the gamepiece is within a range of the at least one proximity sensor.

A part includes a fastening system for fastening to another part so as to form all or part of a ball game board, the part including a plurality of cavities arranged in a two-dimensional ordered array on a first surface of the part, each cavity being designed to receive a ball, the part including a device for reversible fastening to another similar part along a fastening border, wherein the fastening system is formed by a plurality of overhangs each including at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of indentations designed to receive the overhangs from another similar part.

An apparatus and a method to locate a three dimensional object and to execute a predetermined operation on said object, such as playing carom is disclosed. The apparatus includes a robot (200) having an end effect or (202) mounted on a gantry frame. The apparatus further includes a plurality of imaging sensors mounted at predetermined positions in said gantry frame. A data processing system (computer) (214) is provided in communication with said robot (200) and said imaging sensors. Further a controller 216 connected to said data processing system (214) to regulate the functions of said data processing system. The end-effect or (202) provided in the robot (200) consists of at least two degrees of freedom, one for rotational (302) and other for transmitting force (306a).

A jack screw system having an upper, middle, and lower jack screw, each having corresponding jack screw teeth, for raising and lowering surfaces. The telescopic expansion of the jack screw system can be achieved using an engaging gear or belt. The jack screw system is generally used with furniture but may be used to raise any appropriate surface.

An apparatus and related methods for playing marbles games. The apparatus is a circular or polygonal playing board or ring, which encompasses a playing surface. A top ring extends above the playing board along its outer circumference, and may extend over the outer perimeter of the playing board, allowing marbles struck off the playing surface to pass underneath into a marble collection mechanism. Marbles drop onto a sloped guide track, and then roll down to one of a plurality of collections slots.

A cue sport soccer game is disclosed including a playing surface, a first goal, a second goal, and playing pieces. The cue sport soccer game includes one or more indicator objects and/or one or more move indicators. The cue sport soccer game is to be played with a cue stick. The playing pieces include field pieces that are configured to slide on the playing surface strategically when struck by the cue stick. The field pieces may be struck strategically lightly or heavily to cause a game ball to be trajected in a grounded fashion or an elevated fashion respectively.

A device for setting up a game with a ball, the device being reversibly dismountable so that it can be assembled and/or played with anywhere on an existing plate surface. The device includes at least one ball clamping unit with a first side wall, a second side wall, and a ball admission opening which is arranged between the first side wall and the second side wall. The ball is clamped in the at least one ball clamping unit so that the ball remains on the existing plate surface when the ball enters the ball admission opening. The at least one ball clamping unit is detachably fastened to the existing plate surface in an assembled state.

Methods and systems for versatile and scalable board games include a double dovetail scalable board, crown, bridge, and door game pieces, tilting mechanisms and game play, rolling sphere game play, and a marble kinetic timer.

An apparatus for playing marbles games. The apparatus is a circular or polygonal playing board or ring, which encompasses a playing surface. A top ring extends above the playing board along its outer circumference, and may extend over the outer perimeter of the playing board, allowing marbles struck off the playing surface to pass underneath into a marble collection mechanism. Marbles drop onto a sloped guide track, and then roll down to one of a plurality of collections slots.