Cue Sport Aim Trainer

Abstract

A training aid for a cue sport is disclosed herein. The training aid includes a target line and a plurality of shot lines disposed on either side of a flat, compact device. Particularly, the training aid uses the fractional aiming method with improved cut angles to compensate for cut induced throw, thereby helping users improve their aim in cue sports, such as billiards, pool and snooker.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of cue sports of existing art and more specifically relates to an aim training device for use in cue sports.

RELATED ART

A cue sport, such as billiards, snooker, pool and the like, is a game played on a table with one or more cue balls, a plurality of target balls and a cue. The cue is used to strike the cue ball into a target ball to, most often, shoot the target ball into one of the pockets on the table. Prior to shooting, players must choose an appropriate target ball, an appropriate pocket and determine where the cue ball must contact the target ball in order to accurately shoot the target ball into the target pocket.

Fractional ball aiming is a method used to determine where the cue ball must contact the target ball for cut shots, which are needed for any shot where the cue ball and the object ball are not in direct alignment with the pocket. Fractional ball aiming teaches dividing (figuratively) an object ball into fractions in order to judge cut angle of the shot. For example, a ¾ cut shot includes the cue ball covering ¾ of the target ball and has a cut angle of 14.5 degrees; a ½ cut shot includes the cue ball covering ½ of the target ball and has a cut angle of 30 degrees; and a ¼ cut shot includes the cue ball covering ¼ of the target ball and has a cut angle of 48.6 degrees.

However, the current fractional ball aiming method and current training devices incorporating the fractional ball aiming method are not truly accurate. This is due to cut induced throw. Cut induced throw occurs when the cue ball contacts the object ball at an angle. The resulting friction causes the object ball to undercut the shot. Cue ball speed and the type of shot will affect the amount of throw, which creates a range of angles that deviate from the accurate target line. For example, the ½ cut shot incurs the most throw and can undercut by as much as 5 degrees—which can cause the player to miss the shot. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved training aid which addresses this fundamental flaw in current devices and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known aim training art, the present disclosure provides a novel cue sport aim trainer. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a compact, portable training aid device with adjusted cut angles to help improve a user's aim in cue sports, such as billiards and snooker.

A training aid for a cue sport is disclosed herein; the cue sport played on a table with a plurality of object balls and a cue ball and the table having a plurality of pocket targets. The training aid may include a flat body having a first surface opposite a second surface and an object ball seat disposed therewithin. The object seat ball may be configured to receive one of the plurality of object balls. At least one of the first surface and the second surface may include a target line pointing toward a center point of the object ball seat; a first shot line located at a first angle relative to the target line; a second shot line located at a second angle relative to the target line; and a third shot line located at a third angle relative to the target line.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a training aid for a cue sport is also disclosed herein. The method may include providing the training aid as above; placing the training aid on the table; positioning the training aid such that the target line points toward a front center of one of the plurality of pocket targets; placing one of the plurality of object balls into the object ball seat; aligning a center of the cue ball with one of the shot lines; and using a cue to shoot the cue ball into the one of the plurality of object balls.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method of use for the present disclosure, a cue sport aim trainer, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a training aid during use, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the training aid illustrating motion of a cue ball and a target ball during use of the training aid, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the training aid including a target ball seat, a target line, a first shot line, a second shot line and a third shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the training aid, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a second surface of the training aid, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a top view of a first surface of the training aid, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the training aid with the target ball placed on the target ball seat in line with the target line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the training aid positioned for a ¾ cut shot using the first shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the training aid positioned for a ½ cut shot using the second shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the training aid positioned for a ¼ cut shot using the third shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first cut angle achieved using the first shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second cut angle achieved using the second shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third cut angle achieved using the third shot line, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a training aid for a cue sport, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a sport training aid and more particularly to a cue sport aim trainer. Generally, the cue sport aim trainer may include a credit card size device that helps users improve their aim in cue sports, such as billiards, pool, snooker and the like. The cue sport aim trainer utilizes the ‘fractional aiming method,’ teaching fractional amounts a cue ball covers an object ball at contact to make an accurate cut shot; however, unlike conventional fractional aiming and prior art devices, the cue sport aim trainer disclosed herein includes improvements to cut angles. These improvements compensate for cut induced throw (occurring when the cue ball contacts the object ball at an angle), thereby improving accuracy and minimizing likelihood of missing the shot.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-12, various views of a training aid 100. As shown, the training aid 100 may include a flat body 110 having an object ball seat 120, a first surface 112, a second surface 114, a target line 130 and a plurality of shot lines 140, 150, 160. The training aid 100 may be used for a cue sport of the variety played on a table 5 (having a plurality of pocket targets 6) with a plurality of object balls 7, a cue ball 8 and one or more cues. For example, preferably, the training aid 100 is contemplated for use in snooker, billiards, pool, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 in particular, the training aid 100 may include a compact size, enabling the training aid 100 to be easily portable 5. For example, preferably the training aid 100 may include a size capable of fitting into a wallet/purse; or more preferably, the training aid 100 may be of a size similar to a credit card or identification card. As such, the flat body 110 may include a (general) width 115 of between 3-3.5 inches and a (general) height 117 of between 2-2.5 inches (FIG. 4).

Further, it is preferable that the training aid 100 remains on the table 5 when the user is shooting; and as such, it is also preferable that the training aid 100 does not obstruct rolling of the balls (both cue ball 8 and object balls 7). For example, the flat body 110 may include a thickness 116 of between 0.5-1 mm (FIG. 3). In addition to this, the target line 130 and the plurality of shot lines 140, 150, 160 may be printed onto the flat body 110 and away from edges of the flat body 110, further preventing any obstruction during shooting. As shown, a rear edge 113 of the flat body 110 may be sloped to provide clearance for the balls 8, 7.

As shown in these figures, the object ball seat 120 may be disposed within the flat body 110. Particularly, the object ball seat 120 may extend into, or through, a front edge 111 of the flat body 110. As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and FIGS. 6-9, the object ball seat 120 may be configured to receive one of the plurality of object balls 7 (e.g., whichever object ball 7 is being used to train or any object ball 7 in play). This may ensure that the object ball 7 corresponds with the target line 130 and the plurality of shot lines 140, 150, 160. Further, the object ball seat 120 may include a generally arcuate slot to accommodate the object ball 7. It should however be appreciated that the object ball seat 120 is not limited to the configuration described and shown here.

As above, the flat body 110 may include the first surface 112 opposite the second surface 114. At least one of the first surface 112 or the second surface 114 may include the target line 130, a first shot line 140, a second shot line 150 and a third shot line 160. Preferably, as shown particularly in FIGS. 5A-5B, the second surface 114 and the first surface 112 may both each include the target line 130, the first shot line 140, the second shot line 150 and the third shot line 160 thereon, providing the user with both left and right shot use. For example, for right-sided shots the user may utilize the surface depicted in FIG. 5A and FIGS. 6-7 (which is labeled as the second surface 114 for clarity but it should be appreciated that this right-sided configuration is not limited to being the second surface 114).

As shown in these figures, the target line 130 may point toward a center point 122 of the object ball seat 120. Particularly, the target line 130 may be a straight line extending rearwardly from the center point 122 of the object ball seat 120 (FIG. 3). As shown, the shot lines 140, 150, 160 may be positioned at specific angles relative to the target line 130 with each specific angle representing a particular cut shot (again as is taught in the typical fractional aiming method). For example, as shown, the first shot line 140 may be located at a first angle 142 (cut angle) relative to the target line 130, the second shot line 150 may be located at a second angle 152 (cut angle) relative to the target line 130 and the third shot line 160 may be located a third angle 162 (cut angle) relative to the target line 130.

As discussed above, the specific angles in the present training aid 100 have been adjusted to compensate for cut induced throw. As such, the first angle 142 may be 13 degrees and this may represent a ¾ cut shot (FIG. 7 and FIG. 10). In contrast, a typical cut angle for the ¾ cut shot in the fractional aiming method may be 14.5 degrees. FIG. 7 illustrates the training aid 100 positioned for a ¾ cut shot using the first shot line 140 and FIG. 10 illustrates the first cut angle 142. As shown, when positioned for the ¾ cut shot, the first shot line 140 may appear as a forwardly extending straight line (not diagonal or horizontal) to the user or from an optimal shooting position (and the target line 130 may then appear as a diagonal line), enabling the user to establish which of the shot lines to use.

The second angle 152 may be 27 degrees and may represent a ½ cut shot (FIG. 8 and FIG. 11). In contrast, a typical cut angle for the ½ cut shot in the fractional aiming method may be 30 degrees. FIG. 8 illustrates the training aid 100 positioned for a ½ cut shot using the second shot line 150 and FIG. 11 illustrates the second cut angle 152. As shown, when positioned for the ½ cut shot, the second shot line 150 may now appear as the forwardly extending straight line to the user (or from the optimal shooting position).

Further, the third shot line 160 may be 46 degrees and represent a ¼ cut shot (FIG. 9 and FIG. 12). In contrast, a typical cut angle for the ¼ cut shot in fractional aiming method may be 48.6 degrees. FIG. 9 illustrates the training aid 100 positioned for a ¼ cut shot using the third shot line 160 and FIG. 12 illustrates the third cut angle 162. As shown, when positioned for the ¼ cut shot, the third shot line 160 may now appear as the forwardly extending straight line to the user (or from the optimal shooting position).

These angles 142, 152, 162, demonstrated in FIGS. 10-12, are located halfway between minimum and maximum cut induced throw limits of the cut shots. As such, for example, the ½ cut shot may only include a total deviation of +/−2 degrees; in contrast, in traditional fractional aiming the ½ cut shot can undercut by up to 5 degrees. FIG. 2 illustrates improved deviation of the object ball 7 using the training aid 100—as shown, with a deviation of +/−2 degrees, the object ball 7 is still able to be deposited into the pocket target 6 (whereas with a −5 degree deviation the object ball 7 would miss the pocket target 6).

Referring now to FIG. 13 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a training aid for a cue sport 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 200 may include one or more components or features of the training aid 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 200 may include the steps of: step one 201, providing the training aid as above; step two 202, placing the training aid on the table; step three 203, positioning the training aid such that the target line points toward a front center of one of the plurality of pocket targets; step four 204, placing one of the plurality of object balls into the object ball seat; step five 205, aligning a center of the cue ball with one of the shot lines; and step six 206, using a cue to shoot the cue ball into the one of the plurality of object balls. Further, the method 200 may also include step seven 207, repeating previous steps in various locations around the table (using different target pockets, different object ball locations, etc.) until cut angles are recognizable to the user without use of the training aid.

It should be noted that certain steps may be optional and not implemented in all cases. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for aim training using improved cut angles are taught herein.

Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of cue sports as described herein, methods of fractional aiming using improved cut angles will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A training aid for a cue sport, the cue sport played on a table with a plurality of object balls and a cue ball, the table including a plurality of pocket targets, the training aid comprising: a flat body including: an object ball seat disposed within the flat body, the object ball seat configured to receive one of the plurality of object balls;a first surface; anda second surface opposite the first surface, at least one of the first surface and the second surface having: a target line pointing toward a center point of the object ball seat;a first shot line located at a first angle relative to the target line;a second shot line located at a second angle relative to the target line; anda third shot line located a third angle relative to the target line.

2. The training aid of claim 1, wherein the first surface and the second surface each include the target line, the first shot line, the second shot line and the third shot line thereon.

3. The training aid of claim 2, wherein the first angle is 13 degrees, and wherein the first shot line represents a ¾ cut shot.

4. The training aid of claim 3, wherein the second angle is 27 degrees, and wherein the second shot line represents a ½ cut shot.

5. The training aid of claim 4, wherein the third angle is 46 degrees, and wherein the third shot line represents a ¼ cut shot.

6. The training aid of claim 5, wherein the object ball seat includes a generally arcuate slot extending into a front edge of the flat body.

7. The training aid of claim 6, wherein the flat body includes a thickness of between 0.5-1 mm.

8. The training aid of claim 7, wherein the target line, the first shot line, the second shot line and the third shot line are printed onto the flat body.

9. The training aid of claim 8, wherein the target line, the first shot line, the second shot line and the third shot line are printed away from edges of the flat body.

10. The training aid of claim 9, wherein the flat body includes a width of between 3-3.5 inches, and wherein the flat body includes a height of between 2-2.5 inches.

11. A training aid for a cue sport, the cue sport played on a table with a plurality of object balls and a cue ball, the table including a plurality of pocket targets, the training aid comprising: a flat body including: an object ball seat disposed within the flat body, the object ball seat configured to receive one of the plurality of object balls;a first surface; anda second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface having: a target line pointing toward a center point of the object ball seat;a first shot line located at a 13 degree angle relative to the target line, the first shot line representing a ¾ cut shot;a second shot line located at a 27 degree angle relative to the target line, the second shot line representing a ½ cut shot; anda third shot line located a 46 degree angle relative to the target line, the third shot line representing a ¼ cut shot.

12. The training aid of claim 11, wherein the flat body includes a thickness of between 0.5-1 mm.

13. The training aid of claim 12, wherein the target line, the first shot line, the second shot line and the third shot line are printed onto the flat body.

14. The training aid of claim 13, wherein the target line, the first shot line, the second shot line and the third shot line are printed away from edges of the flat body.

15. The training aid of claim 14, wherein the flat body includes a width of between 3-3.5 inches, and wherein the flat body includes a height of between 2-2.5 inches.

16. A method of using a training aid for a cue sport, the cue sport played on a table with a plurality of object balls and a cue ball, the table including a plurality of pocket targets, the method comprising the steps of: providing the training aid including: a flat body having: an object ball seat disposed within the flat body;a first surface; anda second surface opposite the first surface, at least one of the first surface and the second surface having: a target line pointing toward a center point of the object ball seat;a first shot line located at a first angle relative to the target line;a second shot line located at a second angle relative to the target line; anda third shot line located a third angle relative to the target line.placing the training aid on the table;positioning the training aid such that the target line points toward a front center of one of the plurality of pocket targets;placing one of the plurality of object balls into the object ball seat;aligning a center of the cue ball with one of the shot lines; andusing a cue to shoot the cue ball into the one of the plurality of object balls.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: repeating previous steps in various locations around the table until cut angles are recognizable to the user without use of the training aid.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first angle is 13 degrees, and wherein the first shot line represents a ¾ cut shot.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second angle is 27 degrees, and wherein the second shot line represents a ½ cut shot.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the third angle is 46 degrees, and wherein the third shot line represents a ¼ cut shot.