Billiard training device to control the cue ball after impacting a target ball

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for playing billiards or pool. The device allows having control over the cue ball after impacting the target ball what is generally called English. The invention presents different stackable layers that enable the player to perform the following billiard shots: a) two Draw Shots, b) one Stop Shot, c) one Stun Shot and d) two Follow Shots. The stackable layers connect to each other by magnets and securing knobs, and the device contains in the bottom layer a sliding panel to always place the cue ball in the center of the concave groove of the device. In addition, the device has a multiple rail spins labeled at its top layer guiding the player shooting the cue ball in different directions. In another embodiment the device contains a sole piece including a sliding panel to place the cue ball in the center of the concave groove of the device and multiple rail spins labeled at its top.

Claims

1. A billiards-training device for controlling a cue ball after striking a target ball including at least two stackable layers, the at least two stackable layers securely attachable to one another, wherein a height of the at least two stackable layers is selected from the group consisting of: 7 mm to 11 mm, 12 mm to 15 mm, 16 mm to 18 mm, 19 mm to 23 mm, 24 mm to 28 mm and 32 mm to 36 mm, the at least two stackable layers include a sliding panel mounted on a bottom layer of the at least two stackable layers; wherein the sliding panel, allows a player to set the cue ball in a center of the sliding panel in order to use the device accurately.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the two stackable layers are at least three, four, five, six, and seven stackable layers.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein an upper layer of the at least two stackable layers includes at least one of: a center labeled line or groove on an upper surface of said at least two stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; one left, one center and one right labeled line or groove line on the upper surface of said at least two stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; two left, a center and two right labeled lines or groove on the upper surface of said at least two stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; three left, a center and three right labeled lines or groove on the upper surface of said at least two stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; or four left, a center and four right labeled lines or groove lines on the upper surface of said at least two stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein spacing distance between each of the labeled lines or grooves is selected from the group consisting of: 3 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 21 mm, 24 mm, 27 mm, and 30 mm.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the height of the at least two stackable layers is selected from the group consisting of 9 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm, 21 mm, 26 mm, and 34 mm.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two stackable layers are connected to each other by a fastener selected from the group consisting of: magnet, securing knob, adhesive tape, hook and loop, and a combination thereof.

7. A billiards-training device for controlling a cue ball after striking a target ball comprising: at least three stackable layers comprising a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer, the at least three stackable layers securely attachable to one another, the at least three stackable layers include a sliding panel mounted on a bottom layer of the at least three stackable layers; wherein the sliding panel, allows a player to set the cue ball in a center of the sliding panel in order to use the device accurately; and wherein, when stacked, the height of the combination of the top layer, middle layer and the bottom layer is selected from the group consisting of: 7 mm to 11 mm, 12 mm to 15 mm, 16 mm to 18 mm, 19 mm to 23 mm, 24 mm to 28 mm or 32 mm to 36 mm.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least three stackable layers are at least four, five, six, and seven stackable layers.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the height of the at least three stackable layers is selected from the group consisting of: 9 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm, 21 mm, 26 mm, and 34 mm.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein an upper layer of the at least three stackable layers includes at least one of: a center labeled line or groove on an upper surface of said at least three stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; one left, one center and one right labeled line or grooves on the upper surface of said at least three stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; two left, a center and two right labeled line or grooves on the upper surface of said at least three stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; three left, a center and three right labeled lines or grooves on the upper surface of said at least three stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; or four left, a center and four right labeled lines or grooves on the upper surface of said at least three stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein spacing distance between each of the labeled lines or grooves is selected from the group consisting of 3 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 21 mm, 24 mm, 27 mm, 30 mm and a combination thereof.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least three stackable layers are connected to each other by a fastener selected from the group consisting of: magnet, securing knob, adhesive tape, hook and loop, and a combination thereof.

13. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least three stackable layers comprises four or more stackable layers.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein the bottom-mounted sliding panel is mounted on a bottom layer in a dovetailed or half-dovetailed sliding joint.

15. A billiards-training device for controlling a cue ball after striking a target ball consisting essentially of a support with a height selected from the group consisting of: 9 mm, 13 mm, 17 mm, 21 mm, 26 mm, and 34 mm, said support characterized by having at least two stackable layers, the at least two stackable layers securely attachable to one another, wherein an upper surface of the at least two stackable layers includes at least one of: a center labeled line or groove on an upper surface of said at least one stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; one left, one center and one right labeled line or groove on the upper surface of said at least one stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; two left, a center and two right labeled lines or grooves on the upper surface of said at least one stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; three left, a center and three right labeled lines or grooves on the upper surface of said at least one stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; or four left, a center and four right labeled lines or grooves on the upper surface of said at least one stackable layer for slidably receiving a cue stick; the at least two stackable layers include a sliding panel mounted on a bottom layer of the at least two stackable layers; and wherein the sliding panel, allows a player to set the cue ball in a center of the sliding panel in order to use the device accurately.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device has an overall height that ranges from 7 mm to 36 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a embodiment of the training device according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an upper view of the device showing the invention placed next to the cue ball.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of the device showing how the different layers stack one over the other.

(5) FIG. 4 is a side view of the device showing how the different layers stack one over the other.

(6) FIG. 5 is an upper view of the Top layer showing the Top's multiple labeled rails that dictates the shot as three different left, three different right, a center sole direction and two miscues.

(7) FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of the Slider showing the different marks in one extreme of the Slider indicating the different positions to glide the Slider along the Bottom layer according to the different shots required.

(8) FIG. 7 shows the Bottom and the Top layers for performing the Draw Shot Hard. The bottom figure in FIG. 7 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively.

(9) FIG. 8 shows the Bottom, Layer 1 and the Top for performing the Draw Shot Soft. The bottom figure in FIG. 8 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively.

(10) FIG. 9 shows the Bottom, Layers 1 and 2, and Top for performing the Stop Shot. The bottom figure in FIG. 9 shows the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed cue ball figure.

(11) FIG. 10 shows the Bottom, Layers 1, 2, 3, and Top for performing the Stun Shot. The bottom figure in FIG. 10 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively.

(12) FIG. 11 shows the Bottom, Layers 1, 2, 3, 4, and Top for performing the Follow Shot Soft. The bottom figure in FIG. 11 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively.

(13) FIG. 12 shows the Bottom, Layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and Top piece for performing the Follow Shot Hard. The bottom figure in FIG. 12 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively.

(14) FIG. 13 shows a front view of the device when performing a Center Shot and Left Spin Shots and displaying the three left spin directions and the center sole direction. The bottom figure in FIG. 13 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectories and the three final left positions of the cue ball after striking the target ball are represented by three dashed lines and by three dashed cue ball figures respectively.

(15) FIG. 14 shows a front view of the device when performing a Center Shot and Right Spin Shots and displaying the three right directions and the center sole direction. The bottom figure in FIG. 14 shows the position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectories and the final three right positions of the cue ball after striking the target ball are represented by three dashed lines and by three dashed cue ball figures respectively.

(16) FIG. 15 shows a cue ball displaying all points of contact in the cue ball when using the device including the six different shots of Table 1, and the three different left and right spins and the center sole direction. The bottom of FIG. 15 is a list of all shots and miscues referenced on the cue ball.

(17) FIG. 16 shows the device in a sole piece embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(18) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the cue shaft over the device and the cue ball placed in the center of the concave groove of the device. The cue shaft is ready to perform a shot to place ball No. 6 into the pocket.

(19) FIG. 2 shows an upper view of the Top layer displaying the different features of the Top. FIG. 2 depicts the device body 1 having at least two magnets 6 and at least two securing knobs 7 that permit the different layers to attach one to another. In addition, FIG. 2 shows the Slider 9 containing a cue ball hole 10 to always have the cue ball 11 in the center of the concave groove 13 shown in FIG. 5. The FIG. 2 shows a pair of horizontal lines 8 that help the player to visualize the center of the cue ball 11 when it is placed on the concave groove 13 of the device.

(20) FIG. 3 shows a front view of the device containing the seven different stackable layers. The number of each stackable layer is shown on the left side of the device. FIG. 3 shows how the two securing knobs 7 of each layer connect to the other securing knobs of the following stackable layer. At the bottom of the device is the Slider 9 in a half dovetail joint.

(21) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the device containing the seven different stackable layers. FIG. 4 shows how the two securing knobs 7 of each layer connect to the other securing knobs of the following stackable layer. At the floor of the device is the Slider 9.

(22) FIG. 5 shows an upper view of the Top containing the different labeled rails on its surface. In the Top, the center rail 2 and the two miscue rails 5 can be seen. In addition, FIG. 5 shows three rails that direct the cue ball in left direction 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c) in incremental order and intensity, and three right rails that direct the cue ball in right direction 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) in incremental and intensity order. The concave groove shape 13 of each layer can be seen in the FIG. 5. The concave groove of each layer 13 allows the player to always place the cue ball in the center of the concave groove of the device 1.

(23) FIG. 6 shows the Slider 9 having a cue ball hole in an end 10 to place the cue ball and different marks 12 to help the player to pull over the Slider to accommodate the cue ball in the correct position in the concave groove of the device. The cue ball hole 10 matches the center of the Top. By grabbing the Slider from the extreme opposite to the cue ball hole 10 the player can redirect up to 360 degrees his/her shot without moving the cue ball from the device. This helps the player since he/she does not need to replace the cue ball for every direction in which the player will strike the cue ball.

(24) FIG. 7 shows the device prepared for a Draw Shot Hard. Only the first two layers, Bottom and Top, are involved. The position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively. The upper part of FIG. 7 represents the combination of stackable layers for the Draw Shot Hard. The names of the layers involved in the shot are on the left side of each layer.

(25) FIG. 8 shows the device prepared for a Draw Shot Soft. The Layers involved are Bottom, Layer 1 and Top. The position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively. The top figure in FIG. 8 shows the combination of stackable layers for the Draw Shot Soft. The names of the layers involved in the shot are on the left side of each layer.

(26) FIG. 9 shows the device prepared for a Stop Shot. The Layers involved are Bottom, Layers 1 and 2, and Top. The position of the cue ball at the moment of impact and final position is represented by a dashed cue ball figure. The top figure in FIG. 9 shows the combination of stackable layers for the Stop Shot. The names of the layers involved in the shot are on the left side of each layer.

(27) FIG. 10 shows the device prepared for a Stun Shot. The Layers involved are Bottom, Layers 1, 2, 3, and Top. The position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively. The top figure in FIG. 10 shows the combination of stackable layers for the Stun Shot. The names of the layers involved in the shot are on the left side of each layer.

(28) FIG. 11 shows the device prepared for a Follow Shot Soft. The Layers involved are Bottom, Layers 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Top. The position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively. The top figure in FIG. 11 shows the combination of stackable layers for the Follow Shot Soft. The names of the layers involved in the shot are on the left side of each layer.

(29) FIG. 12 shows the device prepared for a Follow Shot Hard. The Layers involved are Bottom, Layers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and Top. The position of the cue ball at the moment of impact on the target ball is represented by a dashed ball figure with a cross inserted. The trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after striking the target ball is represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball figure respectively. The top figure in FIG. 12 shows the combination of stackable layers for the Follow Shot Hard. The names of the layers involved in the shot are on the left side of each layer.

(30) FIG. 13 shows the device prepared and displaying the different positions of the cue ball after impacting the target ball depending on the intensity of the left spins used. Rail represented in 4(c) makes the cue ball veer more left after impacting the cue ball then rail 4(b) and 4(a), and rail 4(b) makes the cue ball veer more left after impacting the target ball then rail 4(a). Accordingly, three left trajectories and three left final positions of the cue ball after striking the target ball are represented by three dashed lines and three dashed cue ball FIGS. 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c). When the player uses the center line 2 of the device, the trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after impacting the target ball are represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball FIG. 2.

(31) FIG. 14 shows the device prepared and displaying the different positions of the cue ball after impacting the target ball depending on the intensity of the right spins used. Rail represented in 3(c) makes the cue ball veer more right after hitting the cue ball then rail 3(b) and 3(a), and rail 3(b) makes the cue ball veer more right after impacting the target ball then rail 3(a). Accordingly, three right trajectories and three right final positions of the cue ball after impacting the target ball are represented by three dashed lines and three dashed cue ball FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c). When the player uses the center line 2 of the device, the trajectory and the final position of the cue ball after impacting the target ball are represented by a dashed line and dashed cue ball FIG. 2.

(32) FIG. 15 shows a cue ball displaying all points of contact in the cue ball when using the device, including the six different shots of Table 1 and the six different left and right spins and the center sole direction. The logical combination of six possible shots of Table 1 multiplied by the 7 spins (three left, one center and three right) throws 42 possible combinations. However, since the cue ball is a sphere object, some logical combinations are eliminated because they would produce miscues. Thus, the final number of possible shots is 36 and miscue points is 6. In FIG. 15 the number of the points are represented on the ball, and explained on the bottom of the FIG. 15. For explanatory purposes, the “X” point represents a “miscue”, and “R” or “L” represents “Right” or “Left” respectively. The different numeration from 1 to 6 indicates the different six shots of Table 1 in that same order.

(33) FIG. 16 shows the device in a sole piece embodiment 14 containing the rail lines on the upper surface of the device and the Slider 9 at the bottom surface of the device to accommodate the cue ball in the correct position in the concave groove 13 of the device. FIG. 16 represents a sole piece which height can vary depending on the corresponding heights shown in Table of 3(b) in its third and fourth columns.

(34) Although this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve almost the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be considered obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents.

(35) It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method, kit, reagent, or composition of the invention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.

(36) It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

(37) All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

(38) The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

(39) As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of”. As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” requires the specified integer(s) or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, an element, a characteristic, a property, a method/process step or a limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s), characteristic(s), property(ies), method/process steps or limitation(s)) only.

(40) The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

(41) As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, “about”, “substantial” or “substantially” refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skill in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value by at least ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.

(42) All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(43) To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph 6 of 35 U.S.C. § 112 as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

(44) For each of the claims, each dependent claim can depend both from the independent claim and from each of the prior dependent claims for each and every claim so long as the prior claim provides a proper antecedent basis for a claim term or element.