Patent Application
20190030417
Not applicable
The present invention relates to the field of games and more particularly to competitive gameplay and associated devices for billiard style games.
Various games are played for reasons from leisure to professional careers. Games operate under a set of rules and involve one or more players competing in some capacity against themselves or each other. Objective attributes are used to provide dynamic quantitative values in order to rank players relative to one another.
One of the oldest games is billiards or pool. Played on a raised surface having six pockets disposed at symmetrical positions along a perimeter of the surface, billiards has been enjoyed for over a century.
Traditionally, billiards is played with either nine or fifteen game balls, a cue ball and cues (sticks). At least two players compete against one another. One player is responsible for racking the game balls, then the other player breaks the balls using the cue ball. A traditional method of playing billiards is commonly referred to as “Eight Ball”. One of the game balls has a designation of “8”. In Eight Ball, the 8 ball is the final ball to be shot by either player. Similarly in the game of “Nine Ball”, the 9 ball itself is the final ball to be shot by either player.
Traditional racks are either triangular or diamond-shaped and the scoring proceeds as the players hit the game balls into the pockets. The traditional rack geometry is quite limiting on the variations of gameplay as the traditional methods of playing billiards rely on the initial presentation of the game balls within the rack structure.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an improved method of game play and systems associated therewith allowing for a dynamic new method of game play facilitated by various devices for initially presenting gameballs.
A game system has a rack having a perimeter defined by a predetermined geometric shape. A plurality of balls are placed within the perimeter of the rack. A scoring surface receives player scores. A method of scoring based on one or more of the plurality of balls being knocked into a pocket of a playing surface.
In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of first, a first player arranging the plurality of balls into the perimeter, wherein the rack is placed in an initial position on the playing surface. Then, removing the rack from the playing surface, wherein the plurality of balls remains in the predetermined geometry. Then, a first player striking the plurality of balls, wherein if one or more of the balls enters the pocket of the playing surface a mark is created on the scoring surface. Then a second player striking the plurality of balls, wherein if one or more of the balls enters the pocket of the playing surface a mark is created on the scoring surface.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of the first player continuing to strike the plurality of balls until no ball enters the pocket, wherein when no ball enters the pocket, the second player begins striking the plurality of balls.
In an embodiment, the method further comprises removing a marked score from the first player or the second player based on the opposite player striking one or the plurality of balls into the pocket.
The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS., wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the FIGURES. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these FIGURES is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
A game system, “Dool”, has a rack or fence configured to retain a plurality of game balls in a predetermined geometric shape. The game balls are generally spherical and initially placed within a perimeter of the rack. The rack is placed on a raised game surface. The game surface comprises a solid substrate entirely covered with a fabric. The game surface has at least six curved indentations into the perimeter of the surface substrate. A game board providing for a reusable surface with a plurality of sections separated is an included element of the system.
In an embodiment, the rack is defined by a plurality of geometric shapes. In a specific embodiment, a first portion of the rack is generally triangular with a circular second portion attached to at least one of the sides of the triangular shape. An interior of the triangular and circular shapes is continuous such that the attachment side of the triangular portion is open to an interior of the circular portion. With the shared open interior, the perimeter of the rack provides for positioning of the game balls to match the general shape of the rack.
In another embodiment, the first portion of the rack is a diamond or trapezoid. In such an embodiment, the first portion would generally have four angles wherein opposing angles are congruent. A second portion is generally circular and attached or continuous substantially near one of the acute angles of the diamond shape.
In an alternative embodiment, the rack is comprised of a malleable material and can be repositioned or a specific perimeter geometry can be dynamically adjusted based on predetermined geometric shapes desired by the user. In another embodiment, the perimeter of the rack has a plurality of joints between rigid segments. The joints are adjustable based on a predetermined geometry desired by the users. In adjusting the joints, a user can manipulate the angles at each joint by moving the attached rigid sections of the rack all along the perimeter. For example, should the user require a circular rack, the joints can be made to have equal angles such that the rigid portions would for a substantially circular perimeter.
In an embodiment, the game board has a first section and a second section separated by a dividing live bisecting the game board surface. The first section has a segment separated by a general square shape wherein one side of the square shape is the dividing line and a second side of the square shape is a lower perimeter of the first section. Similarly, the second section has a segment separated by a general square shape wherein one side of the square shape is the dividing line and a second side of the square shape is a lower perimeter of the second section.
In an embodiment, the a surface of the game board is comprised of a dry-erase material allowing for players to indicate necessary game data and subsequently erase or modify the indicated data.
The method of gameplay involves skill and strategy with an honorable point system. As the problem has long been that skill seemingly gets abused with cheating and deception in the game of billiards. The method of gameplay is more of a strategic involving specific combination shots where predetermined combination of game ball combinations and contact are required for points.
Where there are two users or players, each players stand equal chance of winning at the beginning. The winner is determined based on the total points at the end of the game. In an embodiment, the game is played with two players, two pool cues/sticks, and there are fifteen game balls used. The game balls are placed in the rack after an initial geometric shape is determined. The rack is placed in the predetermined shape and the balls are placed within the perimeter of the rack.
In an embodiment, scoring can proceed in both positive and negative directions whereby players can gain points and have point deducted from other players.
A specific example of the method of game play involves a first player and a second player. Player-specific ball sets are assigned through predetermination of the separate sets based on their numerical value [i.e. a odd numbered balls are assigned to first player] where the numerical values should be equally distributed in their total for each player. The game begins with the balls placed in a predetermined arrangement at a first end of the game table. The most proximal ball to the opposite end of the game table indicates the initiating player. That is, if the proximal ball is within the first player's set, the first player strikes the ball set first. The ball set is then struck and the balls are displaced from an original position. The game then progresses based on if and when any ball is struck such that it enters a pocket of the game table. Where the first player causes a ball within their set to enter the pocket, the first player is awarded a number of points equal to the numerical value on the ball. Where the first player strikes their and causes it to contact a ball within the second player's ball set, the second player's score is reduced by a value equal to the numerical value of their ball that was struck into the pocket by the opposite player. Also, the player who struck the opposing players ball is awarded double the value of the opponent's ball that entered the pocket. A player's turn continues in this fashion until the player fails to cause a ball to enter the pocket, or until the player causes an opponents ball to enter the pocket without striking their ball first. Players switch positions in striking the balls until one player has completely removed all balls within their predetermined set. A final ball was predetermined and will be the final ball for the player to strike into a pocket. Where a player is attempting to strike the final ball, they have an option of continuing to use the final ball to cause a combination shot of the final ball into the opposing player's balls to reduce the opposing player's score and increase their score, as described above. Once the final ball is hit in by the player with no more set balls, the game ends. The winner is determined by the final score.
The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.
